May 2017 Edition: MSDE Education Bulletin

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May 2017

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Image Teachers of Promise Participants
Our award-winning educators pose for a picture at the 11th Annual Teachers of Promise Insitute

Teachers of Promise: Preparing the Educators of Tomorrow

As part of our effort to “prepare world class students” MSDE hosted its 11th Annual Teachers of Promise Institute in April at The Delta Hotels Marriott Baltimore Hunt Valley. Each year this event draws attention from some of Maryland’s top teachers and students and this year was no exception. As many as 132 soon-to-be college graduates in schools of education were hand selected to attend this program at no cost! Students were accompanied by a myriad of Teachers of the Year and other knowledgeable and award-winning educators for a chance to share in the joys, responsibilities and challenges of becoming a new teacher.

Teachers of Promise, or TOP as our participants like to call it, is a one-day institute supported by MSDE,  Maryland Independent Colleges and Universities Association (MICUA), Maryland State Education Association (MSEA), and SMART Technologies. The Teachers of Promise Institute and Program began in 2007 as an adjunct to MSDE’s Maryland Teacher of the Year Program and not only encourages college students to teach in Maryland, but also provides a helpful transition from being a student to becoming a first year teacher. The program taps into the resources and experiences of top educators through establishing a mentor-protégé relationship between the award-winning teachers and outstanding pre-service seniors.

At MSDE we are thrilled to continue to provide innovative and groundbreaking ideas, events and initiatives. We are proud of the progress and involvement that has grown exponentially since the inception of the Teachers of Promise Institute and we believe this program is just one more way we stick to our mission of “preparing world class students.” 

For more information on the Teachers of Promise Institute contact Dr. Darla Strouse, Program Director, at  darla.strouse@maryland.gov.

Image Every Kid Healthy Week

MSDE Celebrates Every Kid Healthy Week!

MSDE celebrated the Fifth Annual Every Kid Healthy Week, observed April 24-28. The week is dedicated to raising awareness of the need to improve the trends of childhood obesity, undernourishment and sedentary lifestyles often seen in today’s students.

The focus of this week is on healthy eating and physical activity, which makes a long-term impact on the growth and development of students. The goal is to support wellness policies and practices not only during Every Kid Healthy Week, but throughout the entire school year. In honor of Every Kid Healthy Week MSDE has produced a video highlighting some of our schools and the steps they take every day to make Every Kid Healthy! To view the video check out the link below! 

Image Click Here for MSDE's Every Kid Healthy Video
Image for CTE Awards of Excellence
State Superintendent, Dr. Karen Salmon, honoring the President and Vice President of the Maryland FFA during the CTE Awards of Excellence Program

Honoring Excellence in Career and Technology Education

The Maryland State Department of Education honored outstanding performances in secondary and post secondary Career and Technology Education (CTE) through sponsoring the 2017 Awards of Excellence on Tuesday, April 25th.

Maryland’s CTE Awards of Excellence program recognizes business partners, teachers and others who are creating opportunities for students to learn about and prepare for their future careers. As a result of the leadership and contribution to CTE programs the honorees of this award provide, Maryland students are better prepared for careers in computer science, hospitality management, cyber security and health and biomedical sciences. The award recipients have sponsored internships, mentored students as they complete real-world projects, and are helping to create Maryland’s high-skilled future workforce.

This year’s award winners represent outstanding contributions to CTE programs from across the state. For more information about CTE programs throughout Maryland, please click on the link below. 

Image Click Here to follow link
Maryland capital done with the Maryland flag design behind it.

IN THIS ISSUE

Graphic: Maryland High Schools rank number one in the nation

Maryland High Schools Retain Top Ranking!

Maryland public high schools once again rank number one in the nation, according to US News & World Report.

The publication found that Maryland has a higher percentage of top-ranked high schools than any other state in the nation. US News first ranked Maryland high schools at the head of the class in 2015. In all 12 Maryland schools received Gold Medal rankings from a wide range of counties across Maryland.

Complete information on the US News study can be found by clicking the link below. 

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Image More than 100 Maryland Schools Named Green Schools

More Than 100 Maryland Schools Named 2017 Green Schools

Fifty-eight new schools and 55 returning schools have been awarded Maryland Green School status by the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE).

Maryland Green Schools have demonstrated a continuous effort to integrate sustainable environmental practices, environmental education curriculum, professional development and community engagement into the culture of the school. This certification signifies that these schools have made a commitment to developing stewards of the earth and reducing environmental impact. We are so proud of our schools!

For a complete list of new Maryland Green Schools click below. 

Image click here to follow link