January 29, 2015 | Sign up to receive THE TEACHERS EDITION.
 In outtakes taped during the making of the popular video A View from Jones Elementary School, Springdale, Arkansas, teachers Mindy Epp and Justin Minkel reflect on their changing practice.
MEANINGFUL PROGRESS
Teachers Share Personal Insights
Educators who couldn’t get enough of last week’s video, A View from Jones Elementary School, can view outtakes of extended interviews with Jones teachers Mindy Epp and Justin Minkel. Learn more.
In one excerpt, Ms. Epp talks about how her use of data has changed over time and how she uses data to help students set goals. Mr. Minkel offers insights about how his students' work has taken on a new face and how the school's approach to embedded, staff-led professional development shapes his teaching.
 And the Teachers Shall Lead
A BRILLIANT, BUZZING BRAINSTORM. Check out
this blog
by Cristina Duncan Evans calling the
Teach to Lead website and its online community, Commit to Lead, “a brilliant,
buzzing brainstorm of great ideas that you should definitely check out.” Evans
encourages teachers to try out their big and small ideas. Learn more.
NEARING 70. Two organizations have joined the Teach to Lead effort, bringing the official supporter count to 64. The team welcomes the Philadelphia
Education Fund and Boston
Public Schools. Check out the complete roster.
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 DISABILITY CHALLENGE
The Art of Drawing Challenges
How do
children perceive disability around them? The Global Education First Initiative is accepting
submissions to the #DrawDisability
campaign, which invites young people to reflect on the accomplishments and
challenges of persons with disabilities through drawing.
The best artwork
received by April 1, 2015 will be displayed at the World Education Forum in
Korea and at the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities in New York. However, all submissions will be accepted until
July 15, 2015, when the general public will be invited to vote for
their favorite drawings online. A designated jury will select thirty drawings
to be exhibited at the 70th United Nations General Assembly in September 2015. Guidelines are available here.
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 TEACHER SALARIES
Indiana Teachers Take Second Jobs To Make Ends Meet
Haley Dover reports on the plight of teachers in Indiana who
find themselves compelled to take on second or third jobs to make ends meet. She quotes sixth grade humanities teacher David Barrrett, who in addition to his full-time job, coaches football, waits tables, and referees games to make a living. "I don't have a life really," Barrett says. Read the story (Lafayette Journal and Courier).
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 Ed Excelencia
• The Latino population is projected to increase dramatically in the coming decades. By 2060,
Latinos are projected to represent 31% of the total U.S.
population (129 million), while Whites are projected to represent
43%.
• Educational attainment for Latinos has increased over the last ten
years. Between 2004 and 2013, the number of Latinos earning
an associate degree or higher increased 71% (3.8 million to
6.5 million).
• Hispanics have lower levels of educational attainment than
other groups. In 2013, 22% of Hispanic adults (25 years and
over) had earned an associate degree or higher, compared to
Asians (60%), Whites (46%), and African Americans (31%).
(From Excelencia in Education's 2015 Factbook. Check out the snapshot of the Hispanic population and the conditions of Latinos in American education.)
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 How career-ready are students?
The Association of American Colleges and Universities released a report based on surveys that show only about one-quarter of employers consider graduates well prepared in critical thinking and analytic reasoning,
written and oral communication, complex problem solving, innovation and
creativity, and applying knowledge and skills to real world settings. Furthermore, 58%
of employers say that improvements are needed to prepare students for
success in entry-level positions.
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 Principal Chat
SHAPING STRONG SCHOOL LEADERS. A report “Shaping Strong School Leaders,” looks at how districts, professional organizations like the National
Association of Secondary School Principals, and training programs are
"retooling efforts” to help principals prepare for and develop their careers.
The package of stories also examines the support school leaders need to do
their difficult work and lead effectively. Learn more (Superville, EdWeek).
HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS NO
JOKE. A new guide,
“Human Trafficking in America’s Schools,” helps lay out ways principals and
school personnel can help identify and report suspected abuse and connect
students to services. Their actions can prevent trafficking and even save lives.
The guide also outlines indicators of the crime, its warning signs,
and how to respond when a student is an apparent victim.
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 WHAT'S NEXT FOR A NEW EDUCATION BILL?
Good Stuff for Eduwonks
The Alliance for Excellent Education
has introduced "Federal Flash," a weekly video series to keep folks in the loop on important developments in national education policy. In less than five minutes, the Alliance will review the latest federal
activity while previewing what to expect in the week ahead.
Check out the inaugural video, which profiles the top-line information about reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as NCLB. (It's only 3:51 minutes.)
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 AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
On Racial Equality
During February, The Teachers
Edition will feature teaching resources to support this year's African American History Month theme, "A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture," which focuses on African Americans who struggled to achieve equality in
American society.
• In Choices in
Little Rock, a seven-week online course featured on Facinghistory.org, participants will learn ways to engage students in issues raised by the
U.S. civil rights movement and their implications for today. The related teacher guide explores civic choices and focuses on efforts to desegregate
Central High School in Little Rock. The course is offered from February 12-April 1, 2015 for $350 (limited scholarships available) and graduate credit is available for an
additional fee. Learn more.
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 Teachers' Notes
• STRONG ENTITLEMENT AND
TRUST. Following an international summit on
teacher development with the Gates Foundation, Sutton Trust released "Developing Teachers:
Improving Professional Development for Teachers," which highlights five
policy recommendations and practical case studies of professional development in
schools around the world. Read more.
• A SOUND YOU CAN LIVE
WITH. Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, fire safety plans and emergency
kits. These are just some of things that kids can learn about from the FREE
website item on fire safety. Learn more.
• GETTING
COMMON CORE RIGHT. The Learning First
Alliance published a guide on how states can successfully implement the Common Core, including
exemplars from various states. Among the top priorities: engaging a broad coalition
of teachers, parents and community members in the work.
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 Top 5 Quotes
Wisdom from educators heard by ED
5. "Our country seems to have invested in all kinds of programs for schools that are all happening at once. We call them initiatives." (Teacher, Md.)
4. "No matter what happens with the new ESEA bill, I hope people remember that it's important to measure growth." (Principal, Ark.)
3. "The key to our success has been moving from a system of sanction and shame to one of transparency and support." (Principal)
2. "I've seen a lot of districts putting a lot of emphasis on the subjects that are tested. This hurts students of poverty." (Principal, Compton, Calif.)
1. “Believe in yourself when other people doubt you. Dream big, even when some dreams don’t come true. Inspire yourself when others don’t.” (Student, Miss.)
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