Be A Well-Balanced Teacher: Tips for the New School Year
Posted by hblount on 23 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Teaching Strategies/Resources
Whole Child Podcasts
Posted by hblount on 09 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
Archive Whole Child podcasts now available online.
Mentors Needed
Posted by hblount on 09 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
We are in need of new mentor teachers to monitor the FCS New Teacher Blog for the upcoming 2010-2011 school year. If you know of anyone who would be interested please have them contact me at the Curriculum Center.
Heather Blount
Curriculum Specialist
806-742-2284
Using Web 2.0 Tools in the Classroom
Posted by hblount on 30 Jul 2010 | Tagged as: Teaching Strategies/Resources
Which web 2.0 tools are best suited for enabling collaboration in teaching and learning? A trio of ed tech experts offer up their top three choices apiece. Read more at:
http://thejournal.com/Articles/2010/08/01/3-for-3.aspx?Page=1
Now Available – Online Curriculum Sample
Posted by hblount on 26 Jul 2010 | Tagged as: Teaching Strategies/Resources
A sample of the new online curriculum is now available! Go to the following link and click on “Guest Instructions.”
How to Use New Media Tools in Your Classroom
Posted by hblount on 23 Jul 2010 | Tagged as: Teaching Strategies/Resources
In these brief video clips, educators and others from around the country give lessons about specific technology and social-media tools you can use with your students.
http://www.edutopia.org/digital-generation-new-media-classroom-tips
New Name – FCS New Teacher Blog
Posted by hblount on 11 Jun 2010 | Tagged as: Teaching Strategies/Resources
Please note that the name of the blog has been changed from Mentoring and Support Blog to FCS New Teacher Blog. The purpose of the blog remains the same – to provide a discussion forum where designated mentor teachers and new teachers can exchange information, ask questions, recommend resources, and share best practice ideas, including examples of lessons and teaching aids.
Teaching Secrets: 10 To-Dos for New Teachers
Posted by hblount on 06 May 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
College commencements are in the air, and while the thoughts of some new teacher graduates are no doubt turning to the beach or summer jobs, other freshly minted educators are already envisioning their first classrooms full of students, each with his or her own special learning needs.
It’s an exciting but also anxious time, as the experienced professionals in the Teacher Leaders Network know well. So for those early birds lucky enough to have found a teaching position in the current down-sized economy and eager to begin, we offer our first Teaching Secrets article of 2010, tailored to the particular needs of new teachers in the “tween” grades.
Author Marsha Ratzel teaches middle school math and science in Blue Valley, Kansas, where she has also served as a district-wide technology and curriculum coach. She’s National Board-certified and began her (so far) 18-year teaching journey after a first career in health care administration. Marsha’s 10 practical ideas can help novice educators better prepare for the first day of school and a successful year.
—John Norton, TLN moderator
TEA Live Chat – Certification
Posted by hblount on 06 Apr 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
If you have questions regarding educator certification for the new courses visit the live chat offered by TEA at the link below.
AAFCS Pre-Professional Assessment and Certification (Pre-PAC) Program
Posted by hblount on 22 Mar 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
AAFCS and the FCS Credentialing Center are pleased to announce the official launch of assessment products associated with the Pre-Professional Assessment and Certification (Pre-PAC) Program. Assessments first launched in December, 2009; however, additional assessments will be launched and available for purchase and subsequent administration on Monday, April 19, 2010.
With the addition of these assessments, the Pre-PAC Portfolio of Products available for testing this spring includes a total of NINE assessments (* indicates new product available April 19, 2010):
(1) Broad Field Family and Consumer Sciences
(2) Culinary Arts*
(3) Early Childhood Education
(4) Education Fundamentals*
(5) Family and Community Services*
(6) Fashion, Textiles, and Apparel*
(7) Interior Design Fundamentals*
(8) Nutrition, Food, and Wellness*
(9) Personal and Family Finance
Before assessments can be purchased, sites will need to submit a Test Site Approval Agreement. AAFCS is continuing to accept agreements for 2009-10. To locate the agreement and the “Getting Started Administrative Guide” which outlines the instructions and procedures for electronic submission, visit the Pre-PAC Management System website at http://www.aafcs.org/prepac/testing/index.html and click on “Test Forms and Procedures.” Once the agreement has been submitted electronically and processed, test sites will receive via email (within 2 business days) a test site approval code and further instructions for assessment purchase, registration, and administration.
Remember, the first available date for purchase of the new products is April 19; however, test site approval can occur prior to that date. Please share this information with supervisors and teachers and encourage them to review the procedures and submit their Test Site Approval Agreement.
Join the excitement! Be on the cutting edge – utilize Pre-PAC to empower and recognize students and programs in your state!