In Today's Newsletter
1. Congratulations Cat Walker, National Teacher of the Year (TOY) Finalist!
2: LAST CHANCE: Nominate an Alaska Teacher of the Year
3. Teacher Retention and Recruitment Convening
4. A Video from our Students: NAEP 2024
5. Perkins Workshop Conference
6. Professional Learning Opportunity: Phonics in Reading
7. Upcoming Meeting: Professional Teaching Practices Commission
8. ASCA Youth Cultural Heritage Program
9. 2024 iDidaContest
|
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced that four educators from across the country are finalists for the 2024 National Teacher of the Year (TOY) award. One of the finalists is the 2024 Alaska Teacher of the Year Catherine Walker.
Catherine Walker of Anchorage, Alaska was named one of four National TOY finalists. Walker is a high school science and career and technical education teacher who develops problem-based, career-oriented lessons with a focus on sustainability and stewardship of natural resources, while encouraging students to build empathy and collaboration to solve problems in their community. She supports students who are traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers by opening her classroom to business partners who allow them to envision themselves in future career pathways.
"Catherine's focus on collaboration, career-oriented lessons, and personal connections is benefiting her students in life-long ways," said the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Dr. Deena Bishop.
More information about the 2024 State Teachers of the Year and CCSSO’s National Teacher of the Year Program is available at https://ntoy.ccsso.org/.
Read the full press release here: Alaska Teacher Selected as Finalist for 2024 National Teacher of the Year (govdelivery.com)
Teacher of the Year (TOY) is an excellent way to acknowledge the expertise, skills, accomplishments, and professionalism of teachers within your school. Nominations close on Jan. 31, 2024.
Any interested Alaska citizen may make nominations for the Alaska Teacher of the Year. Nominees should:
- Have five (5) or more years of experience in the field of education.
- Be a classroom teacher during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years.
The selected individual will serve as the Alaska State Teacher of the Year for the 2025 calendar year.
Click here for the Alaska Teacher of the Year Nomination Form.
Click here to read about our 2024 Teacher of the Year, Catherine Walker (pictured right).
|
The first annual Teacher Retention and Recruitment Convening (TRRC) will be held February 29 - March 1, 2024 at the Captain Cook in Anchorage. The event will provide engaging discussions, networking, and practical takeaways. It is sponsored jointly by Alaska Teachers & Personnel (AT&P) and DEED, and the AT&P Job Fair will be happening concurrently. Register here: Registration for TRRC - 2024 (alaskateacher.org)
NAEP 2024: Give Your Best Effort!
Alaskan students from the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District share the importance of putting your best foot forward during the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). NAEP, also known as the Nation's Report Card, will be given to students across Alaska this winter.
The workshop will begin at 1:00pm on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 and conclude at 12:00pm on Friday 9, 2024. Pre-Conference Session for new CTE coordinators is Wednesday morning. Districts have already been awarded funds to assist with participation expenses as part of the annual Perkins allocation.
-
Pre-Conference Wednesday AM, Feb. 7 - New District CTE Coordinators - Perkins 101 information on funding, application, programming essentials, and CLNA/Four-Year Plan and Local Application updates for FY25.
-
Wednesday PM, Feb. 7 - Perkins processes, programs, and CLNA/Four-Year Plan and Local Application updates for FY25.
-
Thursday AM/PM, Feb. 8 - Partnerships, statewide CTE issues, quality CTE programming. Post-secondary, industry, and community partners are welcome!
-
Friday AM, Feb. 9 - Opportunity for small group collaboration on specific CTE issues.
-
Friday PM, Feb. 9 - As in past years, conference space and DEED staff will be available for one-on-one and small group collaboration.
Registration Link
Please complete the pre-conference survey sent directly to Perkins grantees and participants from last year. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and move statewide CTE forward!
DEED, in partnership with Curriculum Associates and Region 16 Comprehensive Center (R16CC), is offering a unique opportunity for educators to engage in a full day of in-person training on the Phonics for Reading program with the author, Dr. Anita Archer.
PHONICS for Reading is designed to ensure that students in Grades 3–12 feel comfortable and, more importantly, empowered by their foundational reading skills instruction. The program relies on easy-to-follow teacher scripts that enable a wide range of educators to provide effective intervention.
-
WHEN: Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 9 am - 4 pm (AK SoR Symposium Pre-Conference Day)
-
WHERE: Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center (Anchorage)
-
WHO: Classroom teachers, reading specialists, interventionists, and paraprofessionals who provide reading instruction and intervention to struggling readers in Grades 3-12
-
COST: The training is sponsored by DEED and is offered at NO COST to participants
This is a full-day training (9 am - 4 pm), and registrants must agree to attend the entire training.
Space is limited, so register soon!
Helpful Reminders
The beginning of the semester is a good time to review the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession. It's also a good time to check the expiration date of your teaching certificate!
Upcoming Meetings
The Commission will meet on February 1-2, 2024 and April 11-12, 2024 to consider disciplinary actions against certificate holders, to conduct administrative reviews, and to discuss other Commission business.
The public is welcome. The meetings may be in person, but will also be held virtually by Zoom. More information, including a Zoom link, can be found online: PTPC
Learn More!
Have additional questions, concerns, or just want to learn more? Melody Mann, PTPC's Executive Director, is available to present information about PTPC to educators around the state. Send her an email to schedule an informational presentation.
The Youth Cultural Heritage Program (YCH), made possible by funding from Rasmuson Foundation and administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), is designed to support organizations and groups that deliver arts-based, cultural heritage programming to children and youth in Alaska.
Eligible Organizations and groups may apply for a Youth Cultural Heritage Project Grant of up to $10,000.00 in support of Youth Cultural Heritage activities through December 31, 2024. Youth Cultural Heritage Project Grantees will convene as a group for discussion and network development in 2024, with dates to be determined. This may include travel or virtual discussions, depending on availability of the grantee cohort. To learn more, contact the YCH team, or download guidelines and application materials visit our website at https://arts.alaska.gov/Youth-Cultural-Heritage-Grant-Program.
Deadline for application: January 31, 2024
In addition, YCH Fast Track Grants continue to be available on a rolling deadline, at least 30 days prior to the planned activity. Organizations and groups may apply for up to $2,000.00 in support of a Youth Cultural Heritage activity. Alaska, 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, schools, units of state, local or tribal government, proposing YCH Program-aligned activities are eligible to receive grants within the program or to fiscally sponsor otherwise eligible community groups. Learn more about the YCH Fast Track and Project Grants at https://arts.alaska.gov/Youth-Cultural-Heritage-Grant-Program.
Alaska's Premier Student and Teacher Media Showcase
Each year, the Alaska Society for Technology Education (ASTE) celebrates excellence in digital media by showcasing the most outstanding photos, movies, documentaries, podcasts, music, books, and more. ASTE's ongoing partnership with the Alaska Council for Social Studies adds an exciting dimension with several Social Studies-themed categories.
ASTE is introducing new categories dedicated to Digital Art this year. Additionally, in a pioneering move, ASTE has launched a category specifically for projects that incorporate the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Teachers and students are encouraged to participate either individually or as part of a classroom project.
Submissions are now open, and you can submit your entries today. The deadline for submissions is January 31, 2024.
Winners will be announced at the iDidaNight showcase on February 18, 2024. ASTE is excited to inform you that the iDidaNight showcase will once again be broadcast live. Links for the stream will be provided in upcoming communications.
For more details and to participate, please visit the ASTE iDidaContest website.
Join in celebrating Alaskan innovation and creativity at its peak!
|
