Monthly Updates From the Center for School Partnerships and Teacher Certification
OCT ’13
“Getting To The Core” The Center for School Partnerships and Teacher Certification team hopes this finds you well and enjoying your experiences at SUNY Potsdam. As it was mentioned in our first issue, there are many certification changes going into effect within the next year. In particular, effective December 31, 2013, candidates applying for certification are required to complete at least six clock hours of coursework or training in Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention in accordance with the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Article 2 of the Education Law. The DASA training is available only from a provider approved by the New York State Education Department and SUNY Potsdam was recently approved as a provider. Therefore, beginning this semester, HLTH 230/530 will include the DASA training in addition to the other certification requirements. If you are a teacher candidate who has previously completed HLTH 230/530 or who had the course waived, you will need to attend a one day six clock hour training that SUNY Potsdam will offer this fall. Additional information will be emailed to those candidates who are required to complete the training. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Feml at 315-267-3022 or femlna@potsdam.edu. For more information, please access the New York State Education Department’s site at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert.
“Bite By Bite” October ’13 Sun
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21st Teacher Education Student Association Meeting, Literacy Center, 7:30 P.M. 21st
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Teacher Education Student Association Meeting, Literacy Center, 7:30 P.M.
Engage Education Information Session Satterlee Boadroom, 12:00 P.M.
25th Student Teaching Seminar, 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (Fall 2013 Teacher Candidates)
Upcoming Dates to Watch! Journey Into Literacy Conference to be held on Friday, November 1, 2013 at SUNY Potsdam. For more information, please contact Tina Bush: 315-267-3492 or bushtm@potsdam.edu
“Fresh Pick Of The Month” Embracing Change Priscilla Chudzinski
After teaching for thirty-four years, I can honestly say there was never a day that I did not love my job. Of course there were days that were more challenging than others. But, each morning, as soon as I watched the children walk down the hall to my room, I could feel the excitement of teaching resurface and flood me once again with the magic of knowing I had one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. When I was asked to write this article, I knew it would be hard to narrow down all that I have learned over the years. I realized that it was not any particular staff development day or workshop that had deeply impacted my teaching. At a time when education is undergoing so many changes, I suddenly realized that it had been the changes in my own career, the many different teaching assignments, that greatly impacted me. Embracing those changes, and ultimately learning from them, brought me to a whole different level each time. I would like to share three of them with you.
Teach a variety of grade levels.
Learn from special needs children.
Explore the possibilities of multi-aging.
I taught ten different grade level assignments ranging from UPK to third grade and including several variations of multiage. By teaching more than one grade level, I tapped into a more solid understanding of curriculum. I knew what the children had been taught the year before and what they needed to learn in order to be successful the following year. I saw opportunities to help students make more meaningful connections, and I was better prepared to bring those students who were missing skills up to speed in order to handle the expectations of their current grade level. You will know when you are ready to try a different level, so share that with your administrator and let him/her know you are willing to branch out.
One year I had two hearing impaired children and a blind child in my classroom. I truly believe I learned as much from the children that year as they did from me. For one thing, I encouraged their special education teachers to come into my classroom to do activities with our whole class. By doing so, I could observe and carry through on techniques that they were introducing in their one-on-one sessions. What I also discovered, however, was that many of the other children were benefitting from the new techniques and teaching strategies that we were using. One student, who could not identify any alphabet letters, was suddenly learning how to sign them. The kinesthetic connection transferred to many of the visual configurations, and low and behold, he began to identify many letters. Other children benefitted from the many sensory activities. We all developed a deeper sense of acceptance and an appreciation of each child’s abilities. So, don’t be apprehensive about accepting a challenging student. You, too, will learn right along with them!
Although many people feel the new state mandates make multi-aging seem impossible, I do see several variations of multi-aging in our local districts. I learned the importance of observing the same children over time and how to change instruction to meet their developmental needs. Children learned to appreciate each other’s strengths and to support one another through their learning challenges. Ways of grouping, including partner work and cooperative groups, enabled me to facilitate learning instead of being a dispenser of information. Portfolios and student led parent conferences brought everyone into the evaluation process. I developed stronger relationships with parents and families as we worked together over time. For many of the children, I became the constant in their lives for those three to four years. To this day, I still hear from many of these students and their families because we had worked together as a team to make learning our top priority.
At a time when there are so many changes in education, you may seem overwhelmed. I know I grew as a result of major changes that came along during my career. Sometimes you have to embrace those changes. Good luck to all of you who are about to enter this wonderful profession! Believe in yourself and know that you are growing and learning by keeping the doors of opportunity open!
“Planting Seeds” The Teacher Education Student Association (TESA) is an organization that is beneficial to both elementary and secondary education majors. Education students are realizing that it takes more to be an effective teacher than just obtaining a teaching certificate. This is a great opportunity to obtain professional development and meet other future teachers. Currently with well over thirty members, TESA’s mission is to provide free professional development. Recently, Cassidy Mattimore presented, “Increasing Your Non-Verbal Intelligence”. We hope that you will join us for our next professional development opportunity! For more information, please contact Caitlin Moreno, TESA President by emailing morenoca194@potsdam.edu.
Kappa Delta Pi was founded March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois. People like Albert Einstein and Eleanor Roosevelt are members. This organization provides many resources to teacher candidates including online webinars, publications and access to many downloadable resources including podcats. The SUNY Potsdam Circle of KDP recently inducted thirty-two education majors based on their academic achievements and leadership attributes in September. The next membership induction will take place during the Spring 2014 semester and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of others. For more information, please contact Juliana Brush, KDP President by emailing brushjc194@potsdam.edu.
Did you know?
All teacher education candidates need to complete the fingerprinting process prior to beginning any field experience. The St. Lawrence-Lewis County BOCES, located at 40 West Main Street in Canton, is now offering the opportunity for our candidates to complete the fingerprinting process using livescan. Candidates interested in pursuing this option should schedule an appointment by calling BOCES at 315-386-4504 and asking for Sheena or Robin. The cost of the fingerprinting process is $91.50 and candidates are required to bring a credit card with them to the appointment. BOCES is not charging any additional fees to process the fingerprints using livescan.
“A Taste of Success” Alumni Spotlight: Jessica Hunter Master’s of Science for Teachers Childhood Education
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s I begin my 5th year as a full time teacher, I look back at my time spent in Graduate classes at SUNY Potsdam with seasoned faculty and it feels like yesterday. I remember daydreaming about being in their shoes. Having taught for several years now, I finally feel as if I have accumulated enough experience to pass on advice to new teachers. Although I have yet to have the opportunity to be an adjunct professor, I have sponsored several student teachers and helped them on the final leg of their teaching education. It is these experiences with student teachers that have encouraged me to accept the invitation to write this article and share some of my thoughts with new educators. It can be a very daunting task to apply and fill out applications, prepare for interviews and be told, “We’ve chosen a more experienced candidate.” After hearing those words time and time again it is easy to want to give up or question your career choice. I implore you to press on, stand by your values and trust that one day the phone call will come. If it is anything like my experience the administrator will have to double check that you have accepted the position as I was elated and spiraled into a Q&A session without even acknowledging and accepting the offer. Five years have passed and I look back on that phone call as if it were moments ago. Regardless of the path you choose, whether it is graduate school or to start applying for jobs right away, never lose heart and focus as to why you chose the path of education. Whatever new changes you are faced with or challenges that arise, remember that we selected a career in education for the students. Some advice from a soon-to-be-seasoned teacher would be the following: be organized, document everything and find ways to have fun in the classroom (be “corny” the students will eat it up). Also, do not spend every waking hour in your new classroom even though you feel you should because you have so much to accomplish – you don’t want to get burned out before the year even begins. Finally, every September is a breath of fresh air; make sure as a professional you feel that way. I finally realized that summer vacation is for teachers as much as students.
Amy Guiney, Director 111 Satterlee Hall (315) 267-3450 guineyaj@potsdam.edu
Nicole Feml, Assistant Director 112A Satterlee Hall (315) 267-3022 femlna@potsdam.edu
http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/fieldexperiences/index.cfm