Message Board

The Thank-You Files

katej — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 16:26:57 GMT

Since the summer 2009 issue of ATPE News, ATPE has been publishing "The Thank-You Files," a collection of member-submitted thank-you notes, artwork and stories that illustrate the difference educators make in students' lives. In the winter 2009 issue, we encourage members to visit the forum to discuss the "Thank-You Files" that have touched them the most and to share their own stories of appreciation. Please use this thread for that purpose.

Forum: ATPE Publications

Winter 2009 ATPE News

katej — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 16:23:11 GMT

The Winter 2009 ATPE News has been posted at atpe.org, and members will be receiving copies in the mail next week.

In this issue, you'll:

Read about the steps Texas educators are taking to stay healthy.
Learn about ATPE's new online mentoring program for novice teachers.
Discover the power of "educational networking" through the Web site Ning.
And much more!

Forum: ATPE Publications

Student Motivation Poll

kchilders — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:29:54 GMT

As an educator, what do you believe is the number one problem affecting student motivation at your school?

Read more at http://www.atpe.org/Resources/atpenewsWinter/itc.aspx

Forum: Polls

Duncan to hold natl. town hall meeting!

kchilders — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:39:21 GMT

From press release by the department of education:
Duncan Holds Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Teaching Profession During USDE Television Broadcast

In a recent speech during which he outlined priorities for Congress to consider in reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Secretary of Education Arne Duncan called for stakeholders to build a law that respects the honored, noble status of educators, who should be valued as skilled professionals -- rather than mere practitioners -- and compensated accordingly.

To advance the discussion, Duncan will engage teachers in a national town hall meeting, during a special edition of the U.S. Department of Educations Education News Parents Can Use television broadcast from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time next Tuesday, October 20, 2009. He will take comments and questions from 50 teachers from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in a studio audience and from others via telephone, email, and video.

To contribute to the discussion, teachers and other viewers may:

Call the show during the live broadcast, at 1-888-493-9382, between 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET;

Submit comments, at http://www.edgovblogs.org/duncan/2009/09/town-hall-with-teachers-join-the-discussion/, by 6:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 14; or

Submit original video comments, at http://www.dropio.com/ENPCU/, by Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

For more information, visit http://www.ed.gov/edtv/.

Forum: Of Interest

Video Contest --I Am What I Learn

kchilders — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:45:31 GMT

From a press release from the US Department of Education:

VIDEO CONTEST CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR EDUCATION

In two minutes or less, America's students have an opportunity to show the nation and the world how far education can take them and how they will achieve their dreams.

On September 8, President Barack Obama called on the nation's students to take greater responsibility for their education. Now, the U.S. Department of Education is asking students to respond by participating in a national video contest titled "I Am What I Learn." (Click here <http://www.ed.gov/IAmWhatILearn> to watch U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's launch video.)

"Students share responsibility for their education and for fulfilling their dreams," Secretary Duncan said. "This video contest is an opportunity for young people to share their stories about where their education and career training can take them. At the same time, I encourage parents, schools and communities to play a strong role in their stories by being accountable for forming stronger partnerships that guide students to their goals."

The contest is open to active middle, secondary and college students, ages 13 and older. Starting today, September 21, through November 2, students can submit their videos up to two minutes long at http://www.Ed.gov/IAmWhatILearn. There are no restrictions on the style of the video, as students are encouraged to be creative!

From November 2 - 9, video submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges, including Secretary Duncan. Judges will choose 10 finalists to promote on the U.S. Department of Education's official YouTube channel. From November 9 - 24, the public can view the finalists' videos and vote on their favorites. The top three finalists with the most votes will each win $1,000 prize issued by the U.S. Department of Education. Winners will be announced the week of December 1. The Department's video contest is modeled after similar contests launched by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency. They also include cash prizes.

Winning videos will be chosen based on the following criteria: use of creativity, strength and originality of content, and ability to inspire.

The contest rules are as follows:

* Each video must be submitted by an active student, age 13 and older.

* Contestants chosen as finalists will be contacted through their YouTube account and must respond within seven business days to confirm eligibility.

* Finalists under the age of 18 must submit a parental consent form.

* Video must be two minutes or less in length.

* The Department of Education's website (http://www.ED.gov/IAmWhatILearn) must be featured in the video.

* The video content must be original.

* The video must convey the importance of education, as well as the student's individual academic goals.

Forum: Lesson Ideas

Nominate an outstanding school librarian!!

kchilders — Thur, 01 Oct 2009 20:36:25 GMT

Siddie Joe Johnson Award
For Outstanding Achievement in Childrens Library Service

The Children's Round Table of the Texas Library Association annually recognizes the professional achievements of one of their members by bestowing the Siddie Joe Johnson Award.

Named for Siddie Joe Johnson, a Children's Librarian and Coordinator of Children's Services for the Dallas Public Library for many years, the Award recognizes an outstanding Texas Librarian and member of Children's Round Table who works with children from preschool to eighth grade and who has been active within the last twelve months. Siddie Joe Johnson was a published poet and author, as well as the recipient of awards from the Poetry Society of Texas and the Texas Institute of Letters. She was also honored by the American Library Association for her work in children's library service.

Outstanding/innovative programs, exemplary job performance, proven leadership ability, service in professional organizations, an active role in the community, support of parental involvement and interaction with colleagues in libraries beyond their own district or system are factors considered when evaluating nominees.

The nomination process requires submission of the official application which is available on the SJJ page (http://www.txla.org/html/awards/sjj.html) in the CRT area of the TLA website or on the TLA awards page of the website.

Supporting documentation is limited to 5 pages and may include letters from colleagues and employers as well as examples of work, news articles, publicity, previous commendations, etc. A letter of support from an immediate supervisor is also required.

The recipient will be honored at the 2010 Texas Bluebonnet Award Luncheon at the TLA Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Last years recipient was Jacqueline Bridges-Sheppherd from West Elementary School in Arlington.

This is a great way to recognize the outstanding work children's librarians are doing in our public and school libraries. The deadline is January 29, 2010.

Forum: Of Interest

Student teacher expectations

katej — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:20:41 GMT

The latest issue of Answer Key contains an article titled "Be aware before heading into the classroom" about the expectations for student teachers beginning their assignments. New teachers: What is your reaction to this article? Veteran educators: What surprised you about your first teaching assignment, and what advice can you give new teachers?

Forum: Student Teachers

New CPE course!

kchilders — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:57:19 GMT

ATPE has developed a new online professional development course on the topic of 21st Century Skills worth one hour of continuing professional education credit for educators.

Go to:http://www.atpe.org/Resources/ProfessionalDevelopment/index.asp
to take the 21st Century Skills course and select from 22 other topics!

Discuss your thoughts and ideas about the course here, on the Idea Exchange!

Forum: 21st Century Skills

Classroom strategies--technology

kchilders — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:51:56 GMT

Reflect on the use of technology in your classroom or school. How can you allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of content standards using the technology you have available?

How can we get more necessary technology in the schools so our students are ready for the jobs of tomorrow?

Forum: 21st Century Skills

classroom strategies--innovation

kchilders — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:32:07 GMT

In today's most innovative and successful workplaces, people are able to play games in the workplace, dress informally, interact with colleagues and set their own schedules. These working environments make the most of openness, divergent thinking, creative expression, group interaction and group dynamics.

How can (or do) you make your classroom like these successful corporations so students can succeed?

Forum: 21st Century Skills

Fall 2009 ATPE News

katej — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:27:48 GMT

Now that you're a week into the school year (and all settled in--right? ), head on over to atpe.org to check out the Fall 2009 issue of ATPE News. This issue will:

Alert you to valuable resources educators can use to stop cyberbullying in its tracks.
Give you great ideas for organizing your classroom.
Inspire you with the latest edition of "The Thank-You Files."
Explain what this Twitter thing is all about.
And much more.

Forum: ATPE Publications

Houston area: Downtown Aquarium Open House

katej — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:21:11 GMT

We received an e-mail from the Downtown Aquarium in Houston about an upcoming educator open house. Here's the text:

Educator Open House

Learning you can sink your teeth into!

Join the Educators at the Downtown Aquariums Dive Lounge for an evening of food, fun & learning on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 from 5:30PM to 7:00PM.

Free Guided Tours experience how a knowledgeable tour guide can enhance your students visit through our Aquarium Adventure Exhibit.

Sneak Peak at our Classroom and Outreach Programs Participate in our unique classroom programs. Caution: some of the education programs contain live animals!

Tele learning Information The Downtown Aquarium is proud to showcase our tele-learning programs.

As an invited guest, you will get validated parking and a free All Day Adventure Pass to enjoy the exhibit and rides!

You will also be able to register to win a free guided tour and classroom program for your class.

Please RSVP by 5:00 PM Monday, September 21, 2009 to Becky Newton at bnewton@ldry.com or 713-315-5112.

Forum: Of Interest

New Lesson Planning Tool!

kchilders — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:15:31 GMT

ATPE has just contracted with Seawinn, a company that specializes in online tools to help teachers and administrators. ATPE members can exclusively receive a discount on SeaClass LP, a tool that makes lesson planning simple with TEKS, TAKS objectives and Blooms levels are all customized for your grade level and content area. Create and share more professional lesson plans!

SeaClass LP is available for $10.00 to ATPE members (regularly $40.00). Go to http://www.atpe.org/Resources/ServicesAndDiscounts/ to log in and register for this valuable and time-saving tool.

For information about becoming an ATPE member, click here: http://www.atpe.org/JoinATPE/

Forum: Of Interest

Online Mentors for Novice Teachers: PACT

kchilders — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:24:38 GMT

ATPE has partnered with the Texas A&M University System to provide beginning teachers (in their first-third year in the classroom) with online, one-on-one support! Members of ATPE receive this resource FREE!

Receive confidential, quick advice from experienced e-mentors. Participate in chats with other novice teachers and use online resources that help with lesson-planning, creating a behavior plan, and more!

To register for the Performance-Based Academic Coaching Team System (PACT), go to: http://www.atpe.org/Resources/PACT/

To learn more about ATPE membership, click here:
http://www.atpe.org/JoinATPE/

Forum: Teacher to Teacher Tips

Fall ATPE News Poll: Classroom organization

kchilders — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:12:42 GMT

ATPE News' In the Classroom featured an article about getting organized for the school year. How do you feel about your classroom's organization this year? Share and discuss your ideas for organizing areas in the classroom here.

Click here: http://www.atpe.org/Resources/ to cast your vote on your area of greatest organizational need and read more about this and other informative topics! Don't forget that ATPE News counts for CPE credit! Go to the Online CPE page in the Resources section of the ATPE Web site: http://www.atpe.org to learn more!

Forum: Polls