RCOE Dean’s Update - 2/25/08
Meetings/Events
| Feb. 26, Tues | - RCOE AC, 10-12, Greene-Oakes |
| Feb. 28, Thurs | - RCOE Diversity Committee, 10-11, Greene-Oakes - RCOE International Committee, 11:30-12:30, Greene-Oakes |
| Mar. 5, Wed | - AP&P, 224 IG Greer, 3-5 pm |
| Mar. 10-14 | - SPRING BREAK-NO CLASSES |
Sympathy
It is with deep sadness that we report that Tammy Harrold, one of our off campus students in the Yadkinville cohort, recently passed away. This marks the end of Tammy’s long and courageous battle with cancer. The RCOE’s deepest sympathies are extended to her family and friends.
Costa Rica Visitors
We will be hosting three representatives from the Universidad of Costa Rica at Nicoya during this coming week; these individuals will be signing an agreement for exploring faculty and student exchanges with ASU, and will be visiting a number of departments and individuals on campus to better inform themselves about the offerings ASU has. Should you like to have one or more of the representatives visit your classes to talk about education and culture in Costa Rica, contact Roma Angel, Dean’s Office (angelrb@appstate.edu). This connection emerged from a student teaching experience we provide our students in Nicoya.
New Program Standards
We are pleased to report that ASU has a representative on each of the DPI program standards committees that have been formed; these committees will be working to develop new program review standards in such areas as Elementary Education, Special Education, secondary content areas, etc. We are pleased that ASU individuals have volunteered to serve on these committees which will be the key developers of the new program review standards that will form a major part of the revisions in the program review process adopted by the State Board of Education recently.
Further DPI News
We have received verification from DPI that none of our current standards (gpa for admission, PRAXIS I, technology portfolio, etc.) have been eliminated. When our “re-visioned” programs are submitted to the State Board of Education in summer/fall 09 and subsequently approved and implemented, then, and only then, will the changes go into effect. Until then, it is business as usual.
NC-ACTE Meeting
If you are interested in learning more about the DPI/SBE changes in the program approval process for teacher education, the North Carolina chapter of the American Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators is holding a meeting on April 11 at A&T in Greensboro to provide more information on the changes; Dr. Kathy Sullivan of DPI will be the featured speaker. Pre-registration required. See the flyer (doc ~40kb) for details. This is a good opportunity to learn first-hand about the changes.
Expanding RCOE’s Presence in the World
Gary Moorman (LRE) is spending four months in Qatar providing professional development opportunities for educators; see link for information about Gary’s work: http://www.news.appstate.edu/2008/02/18/qatar/
Now Why Didn’t We Think of That!
A British teacher who developed a classroom chair that can’t be rocked onto its rear legs already has received orders from 18 schools in the three weeks since launching the product. "It seems that it’s a problem that touches everyone," inventor Tom Wates said. "For me, this started out as a way of combating the irritation of the children rocking. But at nearly every school I’ve been to teachers relate a story about an injury. It is a danger issue." The Times (London) (2/18)
The Best Teachers
We never forget our best teachers - those who imbued us with a deeper understanding or an enduring passion, the ones we come back to visit years after graduating, the educators who opened doors and altered the course of our lives. It would be wonderful if we knew more about teachers such as these and how to multiply their number. How do they come by their craft? What qualities and capacities do they possess? Can these abilities be measured? Can they be taught? Perhaps above all: How should excellent teaching be rewarded so that the best teachers - the most competent, caring and compelling - remain in a profession known for low pay, low status and soul-crushing bureaucracy? Interesting articles in Feb. 25 issue of Time about “How to Make Better Teachers.”
How Time Flies
Click on this link and you will be fascinated.
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“Change is a Journey, not a Destination.”
—M. Fullan
