In Today's Newsletter
1. Teacher Recruitment and Retention Playbook
2. Presidential Scholars and CTE Presidential Scholars
3. We are Hiring!
4. Poetry Out Loud
5. Keep the Lights On Afterschool
6. Coding in Minecraft
7. Alaska's Principal Conference
8. NAEP Video Project
9. Apply Today: U.S. Senate Youth Program
10. Library of Congress Concerts
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Yesterday, DEED published the Teacher Retention and Recruitment (TRR) Playbook. The Playbook identifies practical, professional, and policy recommendations to address Alaska's persistent issues with retention and recruitment. It also provides implementation strategies for all stakeholder groups.
"Retention and recruitment of Alaska’s workforce is an important and complex issue. The work of the TRR Playbook is a solution-focused resource for the education sector and its stakeholders. The expertise and perspectives included in the Playbook are reflected in its extensive recommendations," said DEED Commissioner Dr. Deena Bishop.
“The cornerstone of a great public education begins with parents and great classroom teachers. Alaska has long struggled to recruit and retain enough quality educators. I instructed the Education Commissioner to begin the process of identifying the root issues of the problem back in 2020 and then to identify possible solutions,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “This TRR Playbook is built upon countless hours of educator feedback and research and will prove to be incredibly valuable to ensure that any practical, professional, and policy solutions intended to address teacher retention and recruitment in Alaska are effective.”
The TRR Playbook can be found online here.
DEED looks forward to seeing these ideas be implemented across stakeholder groups, and will continue to provide guidance with the end goal of recruiting and retaining excellent educators.
The Department of Education and Early Development is seeking applications for both the 2024 Presidential Scholars and CTE Presidential Scholars programs. The state may nominate up to ten (10) male and ten (10) female high school seniors who exhibit exemplary academic achievement, and up to five (5) high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding success in Career and Technical Education programs. Scholars for both programs will be chosen by a commission on the basis of outstanding scholarship, as well as artistic achievement, leadership, and community service.
The programs are open to seniors graduating between January and June 2024 and who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Students at public, private, and home schools are eligible. Only two scholars per school may be nominated.
These are not scholarship programs; they are recognition programs. Presidential Scholars and CTE Presidential Scholars will receive a medallion at an expenses-paid ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. on November 3, 2023. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For more information and to download student applications, please click the button below or visit: https://education.alaska.gov/RecognitionPrograms/
Questions?
 Education Administrator 2: Teacher Certification Office
Do you want to help ensure that Alaska's teachers are the best and the brightest?
Do you want to help people who want to be teachers find pathways to certification?
The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) is recruiting for an Education Administrator 2 to manage our teacher certification office.
What You Will Be Doing
This position administers the educator preparation, certification, education, and evaluation section at DEED. This position requires a sophisticated knowledge of educator preparation, certification, education, and evaluation statutes, regulations, and recent court decisions, as well as knowledge regarding current issues, trends, and policies related to these topics at the national level. This position is responsible for drafting educator preparation, certification, education, and evaluation regulations, interpreting state and federal laws and regulations, and determining policies and procedures. It provides technical assistance and training to local educational agencies (LEAs)/districts around statutory and regulatory requirements. This position is responsible for the supervision of the team of certification analysts that focus on educator quality across the state.
Apply online: for All Job Seekers | Workplace Alaska (governmentjobs.com)
Administrative Officer: ARI
Are you great with numbers? Do you enjoy helping others? Are you able to see the big picture and fill in the gaps? If this sounds like you, this may be the perfect position for advancing your career!
What You Will Be Doing
The Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) is recruiting for an Administrative Officer to manage the administrative functions of the new Alyeska Reading Academy. This position will perform the full range of administrative functions for the division, including assisting with the development and management of the annual operating budget as well as providing expertise, research, and analysis of procurement, fiscal, and personnel support functions of the division. The selected candidate will work closely with the division director in the organization of the division.
 Education Specialist 2: ARI
Do you want to help struggling readers to have that “Aha!” moment? Do you have a passion for literacy for all students?
What You Will Be Doing
The Department of Education & Early Development is seeking experienced, committed education professionals to provide direct reading instruction, response to intervention, and tutoring services to at-risk students. In addition to working with students, teachers may be called upon to provide adult learning opportunities including lesson demonstrations, coaching, and professional development, depending on their skill sets in those areas.
These positions are on call non-permanent. Pay will be an hourly rate of $39.93. Work will be available at least four days per week for one to two hours per day, with options to work any or all of the available days/hours. The work hours will occur in the later afternoon and evening. The positions will be remote to begin with and will report directly to the Division Director. Positions will be open until filled.
Executive Director: CDVSA
The Department of Public Safety, Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (CDVSA) is recruiting an Executive Director in Juneau, AK.
What You Will Be Doing
The Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA), a State of Alaska agency within the Department of Public Safety, is seeking an Executive Director to lead the agency on various efforts to combat domestic and sexual violence in Alaska. The CDVSA is statutorily tasked with planning and coordinating domestic violence and sexual assault services across Alaska. Under the general direction of the 11-member Council, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership, manages fiscal operations, ensures effective training and technical assistance, and oversees the management of state and federal funds, including subgrantee pass-through grants, in accordance with the Alaska Statutory Requirements in Title 18, Chapter 66 of the State’s domestic violence and sexual assault programs and services. This position is in the exempt services under AS 39.25.110.
Recruitment is open until September 21, 2023. Learn more and apply here: for All Job Seekers | Workplace Alaska (governmentjobs.com)
As we enter the 18th year of Poetry Out Loud, we hope you will join us! The Alaska Poetry Out Loud partnership team at the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council and the Alaska State Council on the Arts is pleased to open registration for Alaska Poetry Out Loud in the 2023-2024 school year! The deadline for registration is November 1, 2023, and complete information and registration form is available at https://www.jahc.org/education/poetry-out-loud/.
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. Rather than being a simple exercise in memorization, learning to recite poetry encompasses college and career readiness skills, including structural analysis, interpretation of meaning, point of view, close reading, and the use of higher-order thinking skills. From classroom, to school, to regional, state, and national competition high school students gather for a competitive and collegial experience with peers, to engage with both poetic voice and civic opportunities.
Each winner at the state level receives $200 and competes in the national finals. The state winner’s school receives $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. The first runner-up in each state receives $100, with $200 for their school. At the national finals, a total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends is awarded annually. Students and chaperones participating at the Alaska State and National Poetry Out Loud Recitation Competitions receive travel support to Juneau or Washington, DC for competition. Visit https://www.jahc.org/education/poetry-out-loud/ to learn more about Alaska Poetry Out Loud, and to register. Download the AK POL Registration Announcement + Information Packet for 2023-2024 for the complete timeline and information about the Alaska Poetry Out Loud process for this school year.
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The nation’s celebration of afterschool is coming! The 24th annual Lights On Afterschool will take place October 26, 2023, shining a light on the afterschool programs that are supporting young people’s well-being and academic growth with fun, engaging learning opportunities. Thousands of afterschool programs will open their doors to the community to showcase. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, the event brings attention to the benefits of afterschool and the great unmet demand for more. For every child in a program, 4 are waiting to get in.
Take part by hosting an event or attending an event in your community. Holding a Lights On Afterschool event can help programs gain recognition, attract more support, and strengthen partnerships and relationships. Access your planning kit and learn more at www.afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm.
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Department of Education and Early Development is excited to announce that the availability of 'Coding in Minecraft' at NO COST to all public schools in Alaska has been extended through the 2023 - 2024 school year!
Coding in Minecraft uses Minecraft: Education Edition to teach block-based coding at levels suitable for students in upper elementary, middle, and high school. The program is designed so that teachers with little or no experience coding can incorporate it in their classrooms.
Many professional learning workshops for Coding in Minecraft are available at no cost to Alaska teachers year-round. The workshops take place over three two-hour sessions, going over the basics of Minecraft, exploring Coding in Minecraft from the perspective of the students, diving into the Coding in Minecraft portal in detail, and presenting best practices on using the immersive program with the students. Teachers can also earn CEU credit by participating in the workshops and post-workshop activities.
Teachers who want to use the program in their classroom can sign up for workshops at https://codingcredentials.com/ak/.
For more information, please contact Faye Tanner (faye.tanner@alaska.gov)
Register today for the 57th Annual Alaska Principals' Conference October 13 & 14 in Anchorage at the Downtown Sheraton! The Alaska Principals' Conference is the premier professional development event for Alaska's school leaders. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with colleagues, attend educational sessions, and hear from inspiring keynote speakers. With a focus on leadership, innovation, and best practices in education, this conference is a must-attend for principals, assistant principals, and other educational leaders.
Are you interested in filming? How about acting? Are you interested in sharing the unique aspects of your school and community?
DEED is looking for students, teachers, and parents to get involved in the 2024 NAEP Video Project. The video will be an informational piece about the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). It will highlight Alaskan perspectives by involving Alaskan students and filming in one-of-a-kind Alaskan locations.
The video will help students, teachers, and parents understand the importance of NAEP as it pertains to student selection, effort, and how results are used to benefit our students.
Check out the directions in the flyer above, or email Raina.Moulian@Alaska.Gov for more information. Important links can be found below:
Appearance Release Form (child)
Appearance Release Form (adult)
Example Video from Alabama
The Script
Mobile Device Filming Guidelines
Submit to Dropbox
(password: naep2024)
And don't forget to submit your Appearance Release Forms, too!
The Department of Education & Early Development is soliciting applications for the U.S. Senate Youth Program—a national program sponsored by the Federal Senate and underwritten by the Hearst Foundation. It is open to juniors and seniors who hold elected positions in student government during the 2023-2024 academic year. Students must be enrolled in a public or private school. State delegates will have outstanding leadership qualities and a strong commitment to public service. They generally rank in the one percent of their states academically.
Each delegate receives a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship and will participate in the USSYP Washington Week in Washington, D.C., March 2-9, 2024, where two Alaska students will join 102 other delegates for an intensive educational program about the workings of the Senate and the federal government overall.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on 25 October 2023. The application packet can be found by clicking the button below or by clicking here.
Only one scholar per school may be nominated. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For more information on the USSYP, please see https://education.alaska.gov/recognitionprograms. The Alaska contact is Dr. Bjorn Wolter at 907-465-6542 and bjorn.wolter@alaska.gov
The Library of Congress is overflowing with free resources, but did you know that they provide videos of concerts?
For nearly a century music lovers worldwide and in the nation’s capital have enjoyed concerts at the Coolidge Auditorium at the Library of Congress. Now, anyone with access to the internet can explore, watch, and listen to videos of this season’s concerts as well as past concerts.
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