Interesting Website: Emerging Issues - Gen Z

Just came across this website that keeps you up-to-date on emerging issues.  I wanted to pass the link along in case anyone was interested in checking it out.  Emerging Issues - Gen Z

Food for Thought: Early Childhood Education

It was just announced that North Carolina is one of the states to recieve RttT - Early Learning Challenge. (http://www.wwaytv3.com/2011/12/16/north-carolina-wins-race-to-the-top%E2%80%94early-learning-challenge-grant)

Conversations that need to be happening around the state and at our dinner tables.  How important is early childhood education?  Is this what is needed to help level the playing field for students of poverty?  Should we have universal preschool?  Should the funding be the responsiblity of local, state or federal government?

Update From State Board of Education

This week's Friday Update includes:

1. February 2012 Planning Session
2. PD Annual Evaluation Report
3. Federal Update
4. NCVPS Spring Enrollment
5. ACT, PLAN, and WorkKeys
6. Online Evaluation System
7. Implementing Common Core Mathematics Standards
8. North Carolina Public Charter School Advisory Council
9. Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge

1. February 2012 Planning Session – The State Board of Education agreed during the August 2011 planning session to convene a mid-year planning session within six months.  (The final report from the fall planning session is attached.)  We are planning a session around the February SBE meeting with three purposes:  (1) An update on the progress made on activities since the fall session; (2) an update from Ann McColl on the dialogue about public education with stakeholders across the state and discussion of next steps; and (3) a series of roundtable discussions with teams from local school districts from around the state.  The planning session will convene for one day on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 9 am to 4 pm.  Dr. Harrison has extended an invitation to SBE advisors to participate in the planning session.  After the planning session, SBE members will meet for dinner.  Leaders from several local school districts have asked for an opportunity to interact with SBE members.  We will ask for a team from one school district in each of the eight state board of education districts.  The local school district teams will be comprised of the superintendent, a board member, a principal, and teacher.  By next Friday, December 23, please send me the names of two superintendents from your education district whose team may be invited to participate in the roundtable discussion.  Keep in mind geographic and demographic representation.        

2. Professional Development Annual Evaluation Report - The Race to the Top evaluation report entitled, Building LEA and Regional Professional Development Capacity: First Annual Evaluation Report will be presented at the January SBE meeting by Dr. Jeni Corn, Director of Evaluation Programs, Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, College of Education, North Carolina State University.  The RttT professional development activities are key since the success of other efforts will be dependent on a highly trained, skilled, and knowledgeable professional staff in the public schools.  The report is attached for your review.

3. Federal Update – The SBE Office maintains a contract with Brustein and Manasevit, PLLC to provide legal, legislative, and consulting services which includes providing a federal policy update.  The update provides an overview of federal activities related to education and workforce development policies and politics.  The December 16, 2011 update is attached.      

4. NCVPS Spring Enrollment - NCVPS allocated reserve funding to 75 LEAs and charter schools, effectively re-opening registration for schools that had used 100% of their projected enrollments.  Of the additional needs identified to NCVPS by the December 13 deadline, reserve funding was able to cover 80% of each LEA or charter school's request.  Ten LEAs and charter schools have already committed local funds to cover enrollments that reserve funding could not cover; LEAs and charter schools have until January 26 to determine whether they would like to use local funds to cover enrollments that could not be covered by the $2 million reserve fund.

5. ACT, PLAN, and WorkKeys - Tenth graders across North Carolina have been taking the PLAN assessment over the last week or so to help them gauge readiness for college-level work and to assist them in identifying areas where they need to focus more attention in preparation for high school graduation and life beyond. In March, 11th graders will take the ACT, and in May, high school seniors who are Career and Technical Education completers will take the WorkKeys assessment. This suite of assessments is developed by ACT to help gauge career and college readiness, and North Carolina public schools are piloting their use for our state in 2011-12. In 2012-13, we anticipate that all three assessments will be given again and the ACT will become a formal part of the state’s new high school accountability model in 2013-14.  Students will have portable college admissions scores that they can use during their college selection and admissions process, and students who are CTE completers taking WorkKeys will have tangible results to demonstrate their career readiness to future employers and to community college admissions staff. 

6.  Webinar Addresses Updates to Online Evaluation System - NCDPI’s Educator Recruitment and Development Division is pleased to announce three webinar opportunities for principals focused on updates to the online evaluation system including the abbreviated version and new writeable sections of the PDP.  Staff also will review the latest information on Educator Effectiveness including the addition of Standard 6 to the Teacher Evaluation and Standard 8 of the Principal/AP Evaluation. The schedule for these webinars is below. All webinars are the same so principals may choose the time that best fits their schedule. 

-  Monday, Dec. 19, 2-3:30 p.m.

   Registration Web Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/951002912

 - Friday, Jan. 6, 9-10:30 a.m.

   Registration Web Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/620510545

 - Friday, Jan. 6, 3:30-5 p.m.

   Registration Web Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/504631457

Questions regarding the webinar may be directed to Eliz Colbert at Eliz.Colbert@dpi.nc.gov . 

7. Webinar Focuses on Implementing Common Core Mathematics Standards - Districts around the state are at very different places as they enter the world of Common Core mathematics.  DPI staff members have received a lot of feedback saying people just don’t know how to get started. In this webinar, staff will provide ideas on first steps, pacing, and organization of materials.  The webinar will be held Jan. 10 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. To participate, please register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/13746552 . After you register, you will receive an email message with participation instructions. Questions regarding the webinar may be directed to Susan Hart Susan.Hart@dpi.nc.gov or 919/807-3846.

8. North Carolina Public Charter School Advisory Council – The NCPCSAC met on December 13-14 to approve its by-laws, elect a chair and vice-chair, review three schools seeking renewal of their charters which end in June 2012, and review 25 charter applications submitted under the fast-track process.  John Betterton, a former public school principal and current principal of Bethel Hill Public Charter School in Roxboro, NC was elected chair.  Tim Markley, superintendent of New Hanover County Schools, was elected vice chair.  The recommendations to renew the three charters will be discussed at the January SBE meeting.  With regards to the fast-track process, eleven charter applicants were invited to participate in an interview in January, the next phase of the review process.  The charter applicants invited to interview are as follows:  Bear Grass Charter School, Cornerstone Charter Academy, Corvian Community School, High Point College Preparatory Academy, Howard and Lillian Lee Scholars Charter, Mendenhall Country Day School, North East Carolina Prep, Pinnacle Classical Academy, Research Triangle High School, Triangle Math and Science Academy, and Water's Edge Village School.  You can review each applicant's proposed charter at https://mail.abss.k12.nc.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=8c77743714074ded853b895368b218d6&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ncpublicschools.org%2fcharterschools%2fresources%2fapplication/.  The recommendations to authorize fast-track charters will be presented to the SBE in February for discussion.

9. RttT Early Learning Challenge - The U.S. Department of Education has announced that North Carolina’s grant application has been fully funded. The final amount awarded is $69,991,121, the same amount proposed in the state’s grant application.

https://mail.abss.k12.nc.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=8c77743714074ded853b895368b218d6&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww2.ed.gov%2fprograms%2fracetothetop-earlylearningchallenge%2fawards.html

My Thoughts: The Judge Said I Had To

I spoke with a group of youth offenders that were court ordered to attend the session. Each of the students is at a crossroad in their life and in need of guidance. They spoke candidly about their life struggles, challenges and hopes. The common dominator was the lack of positive relationships, role models and the belief in themselves that they were worth changing.  Another educator and I shared our struggles and challenges in life and the conscious decisions we had to make in order to be successful.  As the “at- risk” (or as I prefer to call them, the “Possibilities”) youth left the session many of them thanked me, cried, or attempted to explain their plight.  On the days in which you as an educator cannot see the end for the piles of paper and testing, remember that the impact you have on students goes beyond just teaching them the subject matter.  You can be the person that enables a student to choose wisely while they are standing at the crossroad.

Food For Thought: Bullying

Just read an interesting article where a school system is having to pay $100,000 in a bullying lawsuit. (http://www.theindychannel.com/news/29927807/detail.html)

In order to learn kids need to have intellectual safety, the abiltiy to explore learning and be wrong.  Yet just as important, they also need personal safety.  You cannot learn in an environment where you are threatened or intimidated.  So as adults on a school campus, what can we ALL do to ensure students intellectual and personal safety?

Does social media play a part?  How can the adults in a student's life model appropriate behavior in the age of  increasing  cyberbullying?  You can post anything in the heat of the moment on Twitter or Facebook without seeing the immediate impact on the receipiant.  How can we help students learn to be accountable for their actions - even if they cannot immediately see the impact?

Teachers and Administrators wanted!!!

Teaching Fellows with NCCU alumnae and NC Teacher of the Year Tyronna Hooker at the successful one stop teacher education workshop

National Opportunity

The Emma Bowen Foundation is a National PAID Internship Program.  This program is celebrating  23 years of  successfully placing minority students in multi-summer internships at media companies throughout the United States.

At the present time, they are recruiting minority high school seniors and incoming college freshmen.   Qualified applicants should have at least a 3.0 GPA, plan to attend a 4-year college and have an interest in  media, communications,business,engineering, or technology.  Selected recipients are PAID and receive a matching funds scholarship to help pay for college expenses.  

Please visit website for a more detailed description of the program and the application:  

www.emmabowenfoundation.com.

Interested students should complete the application and send all requested materials (transcript, resume, photo, etc.) to the New York Office by January 31, 2012.

Should you have any questions or need more information please contact:

Sandra D. Rice

Vice President, Eastern Region

Emma Bowen Foundation

524 West 57th Street

New York, NY  10019

212-975-2545 (MAIN)

212-975-2597 (DIRECT)

212-975-5884 (FAX) 

www.emmabowenfoundation.com 

Education isn't Broken...

Education is not broken but there are areas that need to be transformed. So are we ready to be agents of change? The doors of the school being open are not enough -- transformation must occur during the hours of operation. As we examine ourselves and reflect on the urgency of this matter we cannot allow difficulties to reduce our ability to influence.  What best practices do you use to be agents of change?  How do you deal with the difficulties faced by teachers every day? 

Shout Out: Omega Psi Phi

Special thanks to the Omega Psi Phi for the special recognition on Sunday. I was named the Alamance County Citizen of the Year. I received this award for my leadership and dedication to education. I salute my students and coworkers that force me to do my best.

The Teaching Fellows Experience

The Teaching Fellows Program was one of the components in a ten-point teacher recruitment proposal called "Who Will Teach Our Children." The proposal was developed by the Public School Forum of North Carolina, a nonprofit partnership of business, educational and political leaders from throughout North Carolina. The Forum staff administers the program while a Commission, appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, develops the policies and regulations governing the program. Acknowledging that the quality of education in our public schools is determined by the quality of our educators, an ambitious teacher recruitment program, the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program, was enacted by the General Assembly in 1986.

The mission of the program was, and continues to be, to recruit talented high school graduates into the teaching profession and to help them develop leadership qualities such as visionary thinking and risk-taking; qualities that have not, in the past, been valued in teachers. The Teaching Fellows Program challenges students to see beyond the classroom and to think about the connections of education to the quality of life and the economic survival of our state. The program has quickly become one of the most prestigious programs in North Carolina. http://www.teachingfellows.org/theprogram/history.cfm

North Carolina Teaching Fellows Tour- North Carolina University at Pembroke,  Elon University, Campbell University, Western Carolina University, North Carolina University at Charlotte, North Carolina University at Asheville, North Carolina University at Wilmington, and North Carolina State University.

I would like to extend a special thank you to the North Carolina Teaching Fellows. What a wonderful group of future teachers. While on each campus the Teaching Fellows discussed the plight of public education and their role in ensuring a quality education to all students.   We had great conversations and I am excited about how these students are ready to tackle the ever-changing  position of “teacher.”

My Thoughts: Can Shoes Help a Student Graduate?

While presenting at a Leadership cohort, I heard a story that forced me into action. The story was about a student  who was being reprimanded for repeated dress code violations. It was evident that she wanted to be in school because she showed up wearing sandals in November (red flag) knowing she was out of uniform. The habitual violations were investigated by one of the Leadership candidates who realized the student was wearing the only pair of shoes she owned.  Once we realized what the REAL problem was, we were able to use my church’s caring fund to purchase the student two pairs of new shoes.   By finding out the student’s story through asking the right questions, the correct course of action was taken. Did assertive communication and shoes just increase the graduation rate?  Listen to learn and ask question to understand.

"No Teacher Left Behind" Movie

"No Teacher Left Behind" Movie by Dr. Maurice Martinez (WSE)

My Thoughts: Ninth Factor Team

Many people take good health for granted. Well my family knows that chronic illnesses exist and the effects of it firsthand.  I have two wonderful boys that remind me that life is precious and each moment is a gift. My boys were diagnosed with Severe Hemophilia shortly after birth and as any parent I remember grieving and feeling so isolated. My first question was why and my next concern was my pitiful little boys. Well after my brief pity party, I armed myself with information.

Myles age 8 and Kendall age 5 have been my heroes. We are members of the Hemophilia of North Carolina Chapter and wanted to make a difference.  My school began a fundraiser idea by printing T-shirts (Got Hooker?) to celebrate my NCTOY award and selling them to raise money to support my cause. The Ninth Factor Team was created and my boys were the junior captains for the 2011 Annual Hemophilia Walk. They sold pizzas, t-shirts and solicited private donations because they wanted to make a difference. With help of our family, friends, coworkers, local businesses we raised $6,500 and had more than 60 walkers on our team.  Remember: There will be struggles and disappointments in life. Your reaction creates the momentum for your outcome.

Shout Out: Teachers of Excellence

As I delivered the keynote address to the Teachers of Excellence, I was humbled and honored to be in the presence of so many amazing teachers. Commitment breeds excellence! During the evening I listened to the State’s most distinguished Special Education teachers talk about their students, their schools, and their relentless loyalty to the profession. Their schools and students are blessed.

My Thoughts: Don't Call Me a Classroom Teacher

During a recent school tour, I made the mistake of asking a veteran teacher whether she was a classroom teacher or an administrator.  She vehemently told me that she was not a classroom teacher that she was a SCHOOL teacher.  Her impact was not limited to the four walls of her classroom.  Her presence and guidance was felt school-wide.  When you accept the title of classroom teacher, it places you with one group and with one content.  Her reach is far broader than that.  So what would you like to be called?

Alamance Co. Teacher Named Statewide "Teacher of the Year"

Mrs. Hooker in the News

• N.C. Teacher of the Year visits Elon Teaching Fellows
• Q&A with 2011-2012 NC Teacher of the Year Tyronna Hooker
• Alamance-Burlington Schools' Teacher Moves to Head of the Class as North Carolina's Teacher of the Year

What Teachers Make

The next time you are asked what you make as a teacher, you tell them that you make a difference and there is no compensation for excellence. 

Why Teach?

Thoughts on teaching today: Teaching requires commitment not compliance. We are now charged with the responsibility of preparing students for jobs that have not yet been created. We are teaching students to be problem solvers, flexible, and how to work in collaborative groups. The ability to redefine themselves is essential. How can we get our students prepared? We must be teacher leaders and lifelong learners. We cannot settle or lessen expectations but rather quest to find and utilize best practices. Authentic engagement creates authentic learning. The traditional classroom is now obsolete and the four walls of the classroom are only borders not barriers. Technology and global awareness now create many opportunities for our students.

So the question I recently posed to the Teaching Fellows across this great state was Why Teach? Is there still a noble regard for this profession? Are the summers off worth the investment?  Is the need to make a difference your motivator? What is your answer?

Chatham Charter School

Regina Johnston, Regional Charter School Teacher of the Year, and I at Chatham Charter's opening Back to School session

Shout Out: GMS

Just follow the yellow brick road and see where it leads you. Your destiny awaits your first step! I really miss my staff at Graham Middle School. Each day was an adventure for the students as well as the staff. Failure is not an option on our watch. Have a great year GMS Falcons!!!

Hometown Hero

I was given the opportunity to throw out the opening pitch for the Burlington Royal's for their opening game, which also Alamance-Burlington family night. We held a T-Shirt Fundraiser for Hemophilia of North Carolina Chapter, raising $500. 

Walking off the in-field with the boys

Friends and family supporting the Hemophilia cause.

Planting Seeds

Planting seeds in the life of students will create growth. My students planted a tree on the lawn of my school in my honor.   Each student made sure the roots were covered and the tree was propped up correctly.   Of course it became a teachable moment.

I told the students that is how lesson plans are made - with each of them in mind. The goal is for them to get the needed foundation to be supported. When they master the content, growth will occur.  Special thanks to the Literacy Group known as “The Boys” and to Alamance Community College horticulture Department.

Mayor's Award

Mommies boy and future politicians

Congratulations Ty!

Character Matters...

2011 NCTOY Ceremony

"For more than 50 years our nation has honored teachers with the National Teacher of the Year Program. The National Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by the ING Foundation, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers. Since 1970, North Carolina has participated in this program recognizing outstanding teachers." -Department of Public Instruction

In April of 2011, I was announced as the 2011 North Carolina Teacher of the Year. My original career goals did not include a public classroom nor did it involve connecting with students in the way that I have over the past nine years. While working in the Department of Corrections field and as a foster parent, I witnessed first hand the pathway that a lack of education can create and how it shapes our youth. One of my foster sons created an awareness that due to demands and instruction curriculum, educators often fail to study the story of each of their students. This thought is what created the urgency and desire to change career paths and enter into the ever changing field of education. 

When I was named the 2011 NCTOY, I was humbled because I was surrounded by excellence. The thought that first entered my mind was "What happens in the morning?" In the morning is symbolic of the changes that need to take place and the elements that need to be in place to create the necessary connections for success. Below are photos that recap the special event for me that changed my life.

Pictured with Dr. Bill Harrison, Chairman North Carolina State Board of Education, and Dr. June Atkinson, Superintendent of Public Schools of North Carolina after being presented with the Award of Excellence. 

Teresa Faucette, Principal at Graham Middle School, and I upon recognition

2011 Regional Winners

 Thomas Plecnik - Marci Houseman - Regina Johnston - Tyronna Hooker - Callie Smith - Dr. June Atkinson - Eric Grant - Ferdinand Cooper - Suzie Sanders - Andy Blevins 

2011 Regional Winners