Appalachian Educators Connection
April 19-22, 2017
Important Events This Week:
- Ecoliteracy and EarthEd: Rethinking Education on a Changing Planet 2:00-4:00 RCOE 124B/C
- AppEd Meeting 5:30pm RCOE 124B/C--Executive Officer Speeches
- SEMINAR: Classroom Management 101 at 6:15pm RCOE 124B/C presented by Grayson Bedenbaugh, Middle Grades Teacher, Gaston County Schools
Thursday, April 20
- Appalachian Refugee Day-Panel Discussion PSU 137C 12:00-2:00pm
Friday, April 21-Saturday, April 22
Saturday, April 22
- Spring 2017 Open House---more sign up information to be sent later from Recruitment Committee
NC Senate Legislative Education Updates
The Senate Education Committee approved a quintet of new bills this week, advertising them as the Senate’s answer to the teacher recruitment and retention problems facing North Carolina (none of them, however, solve the class size allotment problem for the 2017-18 school year):
SB 447 Turning TAs Into Teachers
- Would expand (from 5 to 15 qualifying low-performing school districts) the teacher assistant tuition reimbursement pilot program for those pursuing a college degree and teaching license.
- Would allow such a teacher assistant to continue receiving salary and benefits while student teaching.
- Would add $225,000 (recurring) for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
- Bill now goes to Senate Appropriations Committee.
SB 448 Professors in the Classroom
- Would allow faculty from community colleges and universities to work as adjunct instructors within K-12 schools in core academic subjects without the standard teaching license.
- Would evaluate whether the UTEACH Program (started at the University of Texas, Austin) is feasible in NC and report by April 1, 2018.
- UTEACH recruits students majoring in a STEM field to become licensed teachers without adding time or cost to the 4-year degrees.
SB 517 NC New Teacher Support Act
- Would pay beginning teachers at higher steps on the salary schedule if they:
- Graduate from a teacher prep program with at least a 3.75 GPA, and
- Score at least a 48 on the edTPA (or comparable teacher preparation) assessment.
- If the teacher meets the above criteria, s/he can earn an even higher salary if s/he:
- Teaches at a low-performing school; or
- Teaches STEM or special education.
- Would appropriate a new $1 million (recurring) to the NC New Teacher Support Program.
- Would reimburse the $70 initial teacher licensure fee for qualifying NC teacher graduates.
- Bill now goes to Senate Appropriations Committee.
- Proposes a program modeled off Future Farmers of America, with teacher preparation courses and field experience offered in participating high schools.
- Eligible students earning a B or higher in these courses can also earn college credit.
2 Male Counselors are Still Needed for Holston Summer Camp!
Summer Counselor (Resident)
Holston Summer Camp seeks motivated, energetic, Christian, counselors for Summer Resident Camp for youth in North Carolina mountains. Training begins 5/22/17. Employed through 7/28/17. No camp week of July 4th. Sunday afternoon to Friday afternoon work week. Must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma and one year of higher education or work experience. Counselors will be expected to participate in vigorous physical activity. Prefer previous youth camp or counselor experience. Room and board provided. Background checks and references required. Must love to work with kids. See www.HolstonCenter.org for application.
Minimum Qualifications
Desire and ability to work with children outdoors
Ability to relate to one's peer group
Ability to accept supervision and guidance
Ability to assist in teaching an activity
Good character, integrity, and adaptability
Enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience, and self-control
High School graduate or equivalent, or at least 18 years of age
1 year of college preferred
General Responsibility
To identify and meet camper needs.
Specific Responsibilities
Recognize and respond to opportunities for creative problem solving
Develop opportunities for campers to interact positively with each other and staff
Provide opportunities for each camper to experience success
Provide opportunities for discussion of individual or group problems or concerns
Promote a safe and compassionate atmosphere of camaraderie among the group
Help each participant meet the goals established by the camp for camper development
Promote and participate in a Christian environment reflecting love, tolerance, and acceptance of all creation
General Responsibilities
To carry our camp programs.
Specific Responsibilities
Guide camper group and individuals in successful participation in all camp activities
Carry our extablished roles for supervising camper health
Carry our established roles in enforcing camp safety regulation
Supervise all assigned aspects of the campers' day including: morning rise-and-shine, cabin clean-up. meal times, morning worship, flat-on-back, activities, evening vespers, bed time, and after-hour duties as assigned
Instruct campers in emergency procedures such as fire drills, evacuating the cabin, etc.
Assist in teaching or leading an activity, as assigned
General Responsibilities
To fulfill other staff administrative roles.
Specific responsibilities
Prepare for and actively participate in staff training, meetings, and supervisory conferences
Be an example for campers and other counselors by being clean, punctual, responsible, polite, respectful, and safe
Follow camp rules and regulations pertaining to smoking, use of alcoholic beverages, and use of drugs
Encourage respect for personal property, camp equipment, and facilities
Manage personal time off in accordance with camp policy
Maintain good public relations with campers' parents
Submit all required reports on time
These are not the only duties to performed. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be assigned as required
Job Type: Full-Time/Seasonal
Salary: $180.00/week (Room and board included)
Job Location:
Banner Elk, NC 28604
Required education:
High school or equivalent (1 year of college preferred)
Ecoliteracy and EarthEd: Rethinking Education on a Changing Planet, a Discussion with Erik Assadourian & Michael K. Stone is TODAY!
Join us for Ecoliteracy and EarthEd: Rethinking Education on a Changing Planet, a conversation for educators with Erik Assadourian, Senior Fellow & Director of the Transforming Cultures Project at Worldwatch Institute, and Michael K. Stone, Senior Editor at the Center for Ecoliteracy.
Date: Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: RCOE 124 B,C
In an era of climate disruption, all education will need to be environmental education, but environmental education cannot focus solely on teaching everyone to live just a bit greener. Instead, it will need to both teach students to be bold change agents as well as equip them with the skills necessary to survive the turbulent century ahead.
Assadourian and Stone will each present their thoughts on education and ecoliteracy. The presentations will be followed by conversation. Immediately following the event from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Rachel Wilson (C&I) and Vachel Miller (LES) will host a discussion regarding what the Reich College of Education can do to support and further ecoliteracy in education.
This event is being held in conjunction with Worldwatch Institute's EarthEd Symposium on Thursday, April 20. Learn more!
Appalachian Refugee Day: Helping Refugees Rebuild Lives in Greensboro, NC
The refugee crisis is a now global geopolitical crisis that directly and indirectly affects all of humanity. Come and learn and see how you personally can help "in your own backyard."
Date: Thursday, April 20, 2017
Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location: PSU 137C
Representatives from organizations that receive and integrate refugees in our local community will discuss their work and suggest opportunities for the Appalachian community to help refugees resettle. This is a free event open students, faculty, staff and the community.
Please bring toiletries and school supplies, if you are able, to contribute towards Welcome Kits for refugees.
Questions? Contact Damiana Pyles or Precious Mudiwa for more information.
Circle of Dialogue
We are excited to announce that the College of Education and Sustained Dialogue are teaming up to host a one-time dialogue circle addressing issues related undocumented students. Come join us this Friday, April 21, at 9:00 am in RCOE 124A. Please contact Laura at pelllr@appstate.edu with any questions. We look forward to engaging in thoughtful dialogue with you on Friday!
Websites:
http://sustaineddialogue.appstate.edu/
AppSync- https://orgsync.com/122819/chapter
Facebook: facebook.com/SustainedDialogueatApp
Contact Info:
You can send any questions to me at pelllr@appstate.edu or Hannah Koch at kochhc@appstate.edu