Should teachers tailor instruction based on students' ethnicity?

Kindergarten students at School 61 sing about class rules. / Alan Petersime / Star 2011 file photo

Some schools in Indiana are providing "cultural competency" training for teachers, intended to promote understanding among students and teachers and capitalize on diversity in the classroom. Some are critical of the concept that students from different backgrounds require different styles of instruction. Others say this strategy is effective because many teachers in urban schools are from different racial and socio-economic backgrounds than their students. The Indianapolis Star

More @NBPTS Accomplished Teachers utilize Twitter

An increasing number of board-certified #teachers are sharing their expertise about accomplished teaching through Twitter. Teachers can direct-message @NBPTS to be added to the official NBPTS NBCT Twitter list.

Violinist with disabilities debuts Virtual Music Instrument

A new Virtual Music Instrument was set to debut in Montreal recently as violinist Eric Wan, who is paralyzed from the neck down, was to play on stage with the Montreal Chamber Orchestra. The high-tech VMI is an advanced software program Wan developed as a graduate student in engineering. It translates physical movement into sound through a webcam with head movements triggering pre-recorded sounds and notes. Canada.com

Project seeks thanks for teachers on Friday

I thank my teacher Ms. Marion Escueta for telling me to aim high and hit the mark - that if I keep my eyes on my goal, I can make it happen no matter what... -Maria-




David Isay, founder of the public-radio project StoryCorps, wants people to set aside a second day of thanks on the day after Thanksgiving and interview a former teacher who was important to them. Recorded interviews are being archived at the Library of Congress as part of a yearlong National Teachers Initiative. Other ways to participate include posting a memory of a former teacher on Facebook, tagged @StoryCorps, or on Twitter with the tag, #thankateacher. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)/WNYC

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all our teachers, you've been handpicked by the universe to carry out the most sacred trust on earth - preparing the next generation to take its rightful place in the world and giving them the skills that they need to run it successfully. Your inspiration transcends time, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!

The #NBPTS DREAM Team

Let's begin with a reality - each day young lives populate our schools. They may achieve or struggle in the classrooms. They may speak English or a foreign language. They may represent the majority of the population or may be from the minority cultures. They may come from high income families or they may be poor. They may be enthusiastic to learn or may be having difficulty for many reasons.

Currently, there is a huge disparity on a number of educational measures between the performance of groups of students, especially groups defined by gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. For nearly a half century a major focus of education reform in the United States, has been on trying to close the achievement gap between black and white students and, more recently, Latino students as well. We have diverse students in our classrooms with varying learning needs. We need to be thinking about “policies that reduce inequality, policies that can pull the kids at the bottom of the income distribution up.”

As part of an effort to close the achievement gap in high-need schools throughout the country, the NBPTS Direct Recruiting Efforts to Attract Minorities (DREAM) Team was created as a targeted recruitment project designed to heighten awareness of what National Board Certification means for teachers and students of color.

The NBPTS Office of Strategic Partnerships works extensively with a broad range of organizations such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) and several Asian-American organizations to engage and expand minority participation.

I am widely reaching out to our colleagues in the minority group to help with the Direct Recruitment Efforts to Attract Minorities (DREAM) Team Initiative. This is a promising program funded by the Hewlett-Packard Foundation that encourages national board certified teachers to help mentor other minority teachers who have not yet completed the certification process.

In my 8 years in teaching, I learned that education is a serious work that require every heart and soul from individuals who want to invest in making a difference for students. It demands a serious commitment from our educators who are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. I am continually impressed with our outstanding teachers. Accomplished teachers are the champions and the reason successful schools form the foundation of our society!

NBPTS made it a key priority to ensure broad minority representation in all of its leadership committees. High minority representation was critical to the success of all the standards committees. Join us in our quest for Excellence and Diversity in Teaching!
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The scores were just released this morning for 2011 National Board Certified Teachers. Congratulations to our new NBCTs! Will you join us? Be a friend: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Excellence-and-Diversity-in-Teaching-NBPTS/164222210318626

Educator creates positive environment for students

Educator Denise Morelli was first motivated to pursue a career helping children in special education as a student struggling with a reading disability. During her tenure as a reading specialist, she used a Dr. Seuss theme to create a positive environment for her students in remedial classes and rewarded students with "badges" for completing reading assignments. "These are the kids who never get noticed for anything," she said. "It changed the whole aspect of students coming to my classroom." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

By the way, our school had our fall festival during the first week of November and we had a chance to wear costume of our favorite book character when we were kids. Here's the photo in my classroom, my kids had a blast reading Dr. Seuss books!



Student who cannot hear excels on Texas high-school football field

Texas high-school junior Demontrai Lewis is a defensive end for his school's varsity football team. Lewis says he relies on vibrations to trigger his instincts to take action on the defensive line. He hopes to continue playing the sport in college, and his dedication helps inspire his teammates. "I see him, his struggles and what he has to do to be a good football player, and I use it as motivation to be even better," senior Tomme Mark said. Houston Chronicle

Happy Veteran's Day (11.11.11)

We shouldn't take for granted the people who most deserve our gratitude. Today (11.11.11) we thank and honor our country's brave veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime and peacetime...

All DC Educators: Funding Available for #NBPTS National Board Certification

Announcement Summary: OSSE is pleased to announce that funding is available to assist DC applicants pursue National Board Certification (NBC). This funding is made possible though a Federal Subsidy grant from the United States Department of Education.


Applicable Educators: All Educators
Deadline: November 30, 2011
Contact: Erika Lomax, erika.lomax@dc.gov, 202.741.0257
Supporting Website: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Additional Information

OSSE is pleased to announce that funding is available to assist DC applicants pursue National Board Certification (NBC). This funding is made possible though a Federal Subsidy grant from the United States Department of Education, and is for:

- First-time candidates who may be subsidized for up to one-half of the application fee ($1250 per candidate). Subsidy funds cannot be allocated until there is at least $565.00 on a candidate’s account.

- Retake candidates who have not previously received subsidy funds may receive funds of up to $350 per exercise for up to two retake exercises.

- Teachers are also eligible to receive six recertification credits (equivalent to six semester hours/90 clock hours) toward the renewal of their DC license upon completion of the National Board Certification process regardless of the outcome .
 
If you are interested in pursuing NBC, please contact Erika Lomax, OSSE Director of Educator Licensure and Accreditation, by emailing erika.lomax@dc.gov no later than November 30, 2011. Funds are available on a first come, first served basis for eligible applicants. For more information, please visit the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards website or contact Ms. Lomax.

Why are effective teachers still losing jobs in D.C. schools?

(Bill O'Leary/WASHINGTON POST) - Former school counselor Jacqueline Sutton is among more than 140 educators who’ve lost their jobs in the D.C. school system despite being deemed effective or even highly effective at their jobs.

Some educators earning "effective" or "highly effective" ratings under the IMPACT evaluation system in Washington, D.C., schools are losing their jobs through the practice of "excessing." The approach is meant to offset budget cuts, rising salaries and enrollment declines, or in cases where there is less demand for specialized positions. "The question is not solely about effectiveness," schools chancellor Kaya Henderson said. "If we don’t have specific programs, even for effective teachers, should we employ people we don't have an express need for?" The Washington Post

Digital pen records notes, audio during class

Some teachers are using the Livescribe smart pen, which allows students to record classroom lectures while they take notes. After class, students then can touch the pen to paper specifically designed for the pen and listen to the audio that went along with that portion of the lesson. Janice Crowley, a science teacher, said she used the pen to help a student review coursework on the weekends, when he might have forgotten the original lecture. The technology also allows teachers to monitor whether students access the recorded information. T.H.E. Journal

How can we keep teachers from burning out?

Burnout among teachers has become more serious amid increasing workloads and other job stresses, says former teacher Cheryl Scott Williams, executive director of the Learning First Alliance. Educators need additional on-the-job support, respect and quality workplaces that provide technology and the necessary support for teachers to use it, she argues. T.H.E. Journal