Standards, PD, & Resources

Update from the Wyoming Department of Education  |  view online |  website

Standards Header

March 23, 2018

IN THIS EDITION

  • Wyoming Coaching Laboratory (WYCOLA)
  • Energy Literacy PD
  • Native American Teaching Resources
  • Wyoming Reads
  • Educational Theater Association (EDTA) National Conference
  • National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Student Composers Competition
  • National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention
  • Dollar General Literacy Contest
  • Shakespeare Quote Contest
  • AP Language Through a CI Lens
  • English Learner Quarterly Webinar
  • UW Engineering Summer Program
  • Earth Science Professional Development Award
  • Materials Science Grant
  • Wyoming PBS Learning Media Training
  • State Archaeology Lesson Plans
  • Health, P.E., Recreation, and Dance (WAHPERD) Convention
  • Law Day Art Contest
  • DAR Grants Available
  • Copies of U.S. Constitution Distributed
  • AP Geography Workshop
  • Geo-Inquiry Summer Institute
  • Workshops on Germany
Happy Spring

WYOMING COACHING LABORATORY (WYCOLA)

June 18-29, 2018 in Laramie

The Wyoming Coaching Laboratory (WYCOLA), a year-long intensive professional development experience for pre-service teachers, in-service teacher leaders, aspiring instructional coaches, instructional coaches, mentors, and administrators, will begin this summer. WYCOLA’s three-part innovation model includes:

  • Enriching pre-service teacher education 
  • Developing school-university partnerships
  • Elevating the craft of practicing professionals
WyCOLA logo

Participants will observe teaching 5th graders in real time as they deeply examine the complexities of the act of teaching. Wyoming teachers will earn a $2,500 stipend for participating in the yearlong program as well as room and board while in Laramie.

Contact Kate Muir Welsh at (307) 766-2013. Online applications are being accepted.

Standards Flyer Button

ENERGY LITERACY PD

oil well

First session July 11-13, 2018 in Casper

The University of Wyoming’s College of Education and School of Energy Resources will provide professional development for integrating Wyoming K-12 science and social studies standards to develop energy literacy. 


Accommodations, meals and travel will be covered, and stipends will be offered. 

Outcomes include:

  • Strategies for integrating social studies and science through a focus on Wyoming energy
  • Place-based teaching approaches to connect your school setting to Wyoming energy
  • A better understanding of the history and future of Wyoming energy.

Sessions will be held in July 2018, fall 2018, and spring 2019. Registration is now open.

Contact Josh Montgomery

Standards Flyer Button

NATIVE AMERICAN TEACHING RESOURCES

The National Museum of the American Indian offers new perspectives on Native American history and cultures. 

The museum's Native Knowledge 360° Program provides educational materials and teacher training that incorporate Native narratives and more comprehensive histories to enlighten and inform teaching and learning about Native America.

Native children in regalia
Find Out More

WYOMING READS

CHILD READING

Wyoming Reads May 15, 2018

A Program of the Sue Jorgensen Library Foundation  

Wyoming Reads is a statewide celebration supporting early literacy. First graders throughout Wyoming can receive a book of their choice. 

Preview the books that will be available and learn more.


EDUCATIONAL THEATER ASSOCIATION (EDTA) NATIONAL CONFERENCE

September 13-16, 2018 in Denver

The EDTA conference will offer workshops addressing theater from an educator’s perspective and someone passionate for the theatrical arts. Professional development will help educators increase their own theater practices and enhance their students’ theater experiences.

Early registration ends May 21, 2018. 

Educational Theater Association
Find Out More

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR MUSIC EDUCATION (NAFME) STUDENT COMPOSERS COMPETITION

Composition and a pencil

Application deadline March 30, 2018

The vision of the NAfME competition is to provide opportunities for student composers to highlight their talents as they create original music to perform during the 2018 Young Composers Concert in Dallas and the 2018 All National Honor Concert Band performance at Walt Disney World.  

Students at the elementary, middle, high school, college, and post-secondary levels are eligible to submit their original compositions. In addition to performing at the concerts, 10 winning student composers will also receive a cash award on behalf of the European American Music Alliance and the Double R Foundation.

Find Out More

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH (NCTE) ANNUAL CONVENTION

November 15-18, 2018 in Houston

This event will gather educators across the country to learn new strategies for the art of teaching and learning writing, reading, and speaking. Participants will cultivate new relationships with others in the literacy field, and receive a variety of resources to share with colleagues in their respective schools or districts.

2018 registration will be available soon.

NCTE
Find Out More

DOLLAR GENERAL LITERACY CONTEST

Dollar General Literacy Program

Application Deadline May 17, 2018

Dollar General’s Youth Literacy Grants provide funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading. 

Grant funding is provided to assist in the following areas:

  • Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
  • Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
  • Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs

Maximum grant amount: $4,000. Applications are being taken online.


SHAKESPEARE QUOTE CONTEST

Deadline April 13, 2018

In honor of William Shakespeare’s birthday in April, Scholastic Book Clubs has created a contest for students in grades 6-12. Students can submit their favorite Shakespeare quote and include one paragraph expressing what the quote means to them. 

Shakespeare quote contest rules

One grand-prize winner will receive a copy of The Shakespeare Book for every student in his or her class plus two Shakespeare libraries—one for the winner’s classroom and one to take home. Ten runners-up will receive a copy of The Shakespeare Book.

Standards Flyer Button

AP LANGUAGE THROUGH A CI LENS

Portrait of Darcy Pippins, world languages expert

April 6-7, 2018 in Laramie

As part of World Language Days, Darcy Pippins, M.Ed., NBCT, will offer a program that won the ACTFL Global Engagement Initiative Award in 2017.

This year, 43 of her AP students are participating in this program, impacting the learning of over 450 elementary students and acting as advocates of world language education.

Registration is being taken by Albany County School District No. 1. PTSB credit available.


Standards Flyer Button

ENGLISH LEARNER QUARTERLY WEBINAR

WDE is offering quarterly webinars to strengthen understanding of components that must be evident within the District EL Plan, Individual EL (IEL) plan, and identifying and serving English Learner (EL) students. The first webinar, "Creating an English Learner Plan," focused on the updated 17-18 EL Guidebook and important EL laws and regulations. 

You can view a Q&A document as well as the PowerPoint that was used during the webinar. 

Picture of happy children of many races

UW ENGINEERING SUMMER PROGRAM

UW engineering students in lab

Application deadline March 24, 2018

High school juniors are encouraged to participate in the Engineering Summer Program hosted by the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Science, June 17-23 in Laramie.

The program aims to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and is open to all juniors, regardless of state of residence.

Those selected will have the chance to engage in activities such as building a digital circuit, programming a robotic device or designing timber trusses.

Contact Teddi Freedman at (307) 766-4236.

Find Out More

EARTH SCIENCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD

Applications due April 15, 2018

The National Association of Geoscience Teachers awards faculty and students at two-year colleges and K-12 teachers.

NAGT logo

The Dorothy Stout Professional Development Awards support participation in Earth science classes or workshops, science education meetings, Earth science field trips, and purchase of Earth science materials for classroom use.

Find Out More

MATERIALS SCIENCE GRANT

Children in a classroom

Application Deadline May 25, 2018

The ASM Materials Education Foundation awards 20 grants of $500 annually to help K-12 teachers bring the real world of materials science into their classrooms. “Living in a Material World” grants recognize creativity and enhance awareness of materials science and the role that materials play in society.

Find Out More

WYOMING PBS LEARNING MEDIA TRAINING

Educators can learn about Wyoming PBS Learning Media resources. Education Coordinator Carol Garber will travel to schools across the state to offer training free of charge.

Resources include lesson plans and videos in most subject areas Pre-K through Grade 12.

Contact Carol Garber.

Buffalo head logo for Wyoming PBS
Find Out More

STATE ARCHAEOLOGY LESSON PLANS

Petroglyph of rabbit as logo for state archaeology office

The Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist is developing lesson plans and activities for K-12 teachers. 

Aside from the social sciences, archaeology can be used as a platform to teach topics such as language arts, math, the physical sciences, and art. 

Office staff will travel to your district to meet with you. Educators are also being asked to fill out a survey to help develop a Wyoming Archaeology Education Plan. Contact Greg Pierce.

Standards Flyer Button

HEALTH, P.E., RECREATION & DANCE CONVENTION

Proposals accepted through June 30, 2018

The Wyoming Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (WAHPERD) is accepting session proposals for its 2018 convention “Cowboy Strong” to be held in Cody from November 11-13, 2018. 

children exercising

Submit your presentations on health, P.E., P.A., CSPAP, nutrition, sport education, technology, coaching, and more.

Contact Nancy Raso Eklund for more information.

Find Out More

LAW DAY ART CONTEST

Law Day Art Contest logo

Submission deadline March 31, 2018

Each year, the American Bar Association (ABA) hosts an art contest for students in grades 9-12. Students are encouraged to create art pieces in any medium (including but not limited to drawings, paintings, films, photographs, graphic novels, comics, etc.). 

Students may compete as individuals or in groups. Winners will receive prizes not to exceed $750.

The theme is "Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom."

Find Out More

DAR GRANTS AVAILABLE

Application Deadline April 1, 2018

The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution is offering two $500 grants to Wyoming schools to, in George Washington's words, "promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge." 

Daughters of the American Revolution logo

Applications for the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund Classroom Grants must be made by K-12 teachers who are sponsored by a local DAR chapter. Proposed projects must directly benefit students in the classroom. Funds may be used for supplies and educational programs. 

Standards Flyer Button

COPIES OF U.S. CONSTITUTION DISTRIBUTED

U.S. Constitution

The Liberty Day Institute is distributing pocket-sized copies of the U.S. Constitution to all 5th grade students attending public schools in Wyoming. 

Attorneys will visit the classes in March and April. Teachers will receive a resource packet with access to the Institute’s websites for both teachers and students.

Find Out More

AP GEOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

July 9-10, 2018
University of Wyoming

The Wyoming Geographic Alliance will offer training for educators on how core geographic concepts in the AP Human​ ​Geography​ ​course outline—region, pattern, place, space and scale—provide insight into fundamental developments unfolding around the world. 

Morning Glory Pool

The course is free and a $50 travel stipend is available. 1.0 PTSB credit available

Standards Flyer Button

GEO-INQUIRY SUMMER INSTITUTE

Old western wagon

July 9-10
Casper College

The Wyoming Geographic Alliance is offering a Geo-Inquiry Institute for middle-level educators.

Explore ​the ​Geo-Inquiry ​Process ​developed ​by National ​Geographic ​to ​engage ​students ​in local and global issues. The workshop is limited ​to ​30 ​participants.

 ​A ​team ​of ​two ​teachers ​from ​the same school ​is ​desired. Outdoor ​field ​work ​will take place at ​Edness ​Kimball ​Wilkins ​State ​Park. 1.0 PTSB credit ​and ​1 ​optional ​UW ​outreach credit can be earned. $50 scholarships available to support travel

Standards Flyer Button

WORKSHOPS ON GERMANY

A consultant for the Transatlantic Outreach Program is offering free workshops to Wyoming schools from now until December. 

The program seeks to educate students and teachers about Germany and provides opportunities for STEM and social studies educators to visit Germany. Workshops can be from one hour to one day. 

Contact Paul Dickler at (267) 614-1185.

German city
Standards Flyer Button