Elmore Education

from January 23 Education Issue and Private School Guide

Kids Say the Wisest Things

Many of us can still recall that teacher from our childhood that made a difference in our lives. Teachers “back then” often spent their entire careers in the classroom teaching children. Sometimes they retired after 30 or more years of service, having spent their entire career in the same classroom at the same school. There was generally little turnover; however, in the event a principal needed to fill a position, properly certified candidates were readily available, and the interview process was very competitive.

Fast forward to 2022-2023, and it is easy to see how drastically things have changed in public education. “Teacher shortage” is a frequent and recurring topic among district and school administrators, teacher education programs at colleges and universities, and the Alabama Department of Education. Of the 144 city and county school systems in Alabama, the majority have been forced to hire teachers on emergency or provisional certificates, which indicates teacher shortages across the state. Elmore County currently has 30 teachers on emergency or provisional certificates, meaning they did not graduate from a teacher education program at a college or university and are pursuing certification via an alternative route.

Recruiting and retaining teachers is a priority across the state. Classroom teachers are the single most influential people in a child’s education. Their impact on students cannot be overstated, and we know how critically important it is to place the best, most qualified teachers in every classroom. One step we have taken in Elmore County is the establishment of a Teacher Task Force, which began meeting periodically throughout the school year in October 2021. The goal of the Teacher Task Force is to gather information to help us address the needs and concerns of classroom teachers as well as identify what steps we can take to help us increase their retention. We have already implemented some of their suggestions and recommendations, and we look forward to their ongoing positive impact as they continue to explore ways to retain quality teachers.

If you or someone you know is contemplating a career change or you desire to work in a position where you can make a lasting impact in the lives of children, I urge you to consider the teaching profession. There are several ways to achieve teacher certification, and our Human Resources Department can provide you with that information. Please visit our website, www.elmoreco.com, or call us at (334) 567-1200.

Our great teachers help us fulfill our purpose, day in and day out: Every Student Empowered – Every Student Succeeds.

Richard Dennis is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. He is a 1983 graduate of Holtville High School. He served 21 years as a high school principal at Holtville High, Wetumpka High and most recently, Prattville High. He and wife, Leslie (also an educator) have three sons and a daughter.

Elmore County Schools

Edge Virtual Students Celebrated for Reaching IXL Goals

We had a BLAST celebrating our Edge Virtual School K-6th students who reached their IXL goals! Thank you to Domino’s Pizza in Wetumpka for helping provide pizzas to our hardworking students! Students enjoyed pizza as well as a Christmas craft!

Redland Middle Spelling Bee Winners

Congratulations to our 2022 Spelling Bee winner, 6th grader, Kristen! We’re very proud of all participants! We’d like to say a special thank you to Alabama State Senator, Will Barfoot for coming and announcing and also to Mrs. Boone and Mrs. Powell-Williams for all their hard work to put on our first ever RMS Spelling Bee!

ECTC Hospitality Students Study Cooking

Hospitality and

Tourism students have been learning about reading recipe, selecting correct ingredients, and making the correct measurements to make pizza. Their final project results were delicious treats for the class to enjoy.

Elmore County Schools

Redland Elementary Choir Sings for Elderly

The RES Choir went on a field trip to Crowne Nursing Home to spread Christmas cheer with the residents! They had so much fun performing their Christmas program, and all of the residents loved it. Christmas with RES is the best!

Successful Food Drive at ECTC

The Teaching & Training and Hospitality & Tourism programs at ECTC held an FCCLA Canned Food Drive for the Elmore County Food Pantry.

ECTC Visits 187th Fighter Wing

Aviation Technology students from ECTC visited the Alabama Air National Guard 187th Fighter Wing in Montgomery for a tour.

EDGE Teacher Shelby Howe Named Secondary Teacher of the Year

Elmore County has named Shelby Howe the Secondary Teacher of the Year for Elmore County. Shelby Howe is the 7th-12th grade History teacher at the EDGE

Virtual

School in

Elmore County. She has fourteen years of experience teaching both English and History at the secondary level. Mrs. Howe was a double major at Samford University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Arts in English. She also holds a master’s degree in Secondary English

Education from Auburn University. She is certified to teach Advanced Placement U.S. History, Advanced Placement Language, and

Advanced Placement Literature and scores for the AP U.S. History exam every summer. Mrs. Howe especially enjoys educating others about the unique opportunities EDGE Virtual School has to offer.

ECTC Teacher of the Year

The Elmore County Technical Center’s 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year is Building Construction instructor Michael Miller. He is pictured (center) with Elmore County Schools Superintendent, Richard Dennis (left), and Director of High Schools, Dr. Jamey McGowin (right).

As a parent, I knew of the many milestones my children would face, from learning to walk and talk to navigating relationships and exams. One I was not prepared for was applying for college. The days when getting into college were a breeze are long gone; the applicant pool is far more competitive. Schools that admitted students with less than a B average years ago now often seek an average GPA above 4.0. Because of these higher stakes, many experts recommend applying to five to eight colleges. That makes for a lot of paperwork!

Unfortunately, many colleges utilize the Common App so that information can be entered only once. Research which colleges use this method and talk to admissions officers; some prefer students use the school’s application. The Common App opens on August 1, so your senior should be ready to apply at this time. If admitted early, they will have first dibs on housing, and scholarship offers will roll in to help you decide which school is the best value.

What can you do to help your child through this next milestone? First, arm them with the knowledge of what to expect to see on a college application and how to make themselves stand out.

Grades

GPA: Colleges typically remove elective grades and add half a point to honors/full point to AP courses. Honors/AP/IB Courses: Colleges love to see students who challenge themselves, even if grades are slightly lower. Self-Reported Student Academic Record (SSAR): Most schools require this to enter courses and grades for recalculation; it can be completed once.

Test Scores

To Submit or Not to Submit? Many schools have dropped the testing requirement. If the score is high, submit. If not, consider leaving it out. Which test? Take the SAT and ACT. Some excel in only one. The science covered in the ACT really tests reading comprehension, so strong readers may prefer it. Test early! Test when geometry is completed, even if in middle school. These skills may be forgotten if you wait! Retest in junior year, so the reading score is at its best. Register early! Sites fill quickly, and late fees are applied. Study! Experts recommend starting 2-3 months before the test, 10-20 hours a week. Test multiple times. Scores tend to improve after the first attempt, especially if students are studying. Complete testing by the end of junior year. Superscore me! Best subject area scores are accepted by most schools. Types: School clubs, internships, jobs, volunteering, babysitting, etc. Number: Try for ten. It is wonderful to have an athlete or musician, but that one activity takes up one of the ten lines on the Common App. It’s not too late! Even if it is junior year, encourage your student to get involved, especially with activities related to their intended major. Volunteering: List multiple volunteer experiences. Go beyond the number of required hours!

Honors

Types: Local/national awards, honor societies, and other memberships Number: Shoot for five.

Essays

Topic: Choose one of seven essay prompts on the Common App. Optional Covid Question: Share the effects of the pandemic on grades, etc. Supplementals: Additional writing is required by some schools. Personalize for each school; research and use observations from visits.

Time to Shine: Below average stats? Numbers do not give a full picture; personality, perseverance, and passion come through here. Make it Personal: Lower GPA due to medical conditions or difficulties at home? Low scores because of anxiety? Schools know each student’s experience is unique; they will pay attention, so be sure to share.

The Cost of Applying

Test Registration: $55-60 for each attempt Test Prep: Online $100-$2,800, in-person $800-$3,600, private tutors $1,600-$8,000. Tips: Watch for free testing days at your child’s school. See if you qualify for a fee waiver. A book and index cards are not to be frowned upon! Search for free online resources (see below). Application Costs: Average fee is $50, up to $100. Tips: Request fee waivers on the application or through the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Watch for schools without fees and free registration weeks. Start filling out an application and wait; you may receive a fee waiver by email!

The Waiting Game

How long until we find out? Anywhere from days to months, the average wait time for rolling admissions is 4-6 weeks. Look for early action/decision deadlines to speed up the process (usually early Nov. or Dec.)

Don’t worry!

If your child doesn’t have top credentials, don’t be discouraged. There is a school for everyone, and a college’s average GPA is just that, an average. Utilize the school’s counselor for resources and advice. Speak with admissions officers in person if possible. Some will tell you activities aren’t as important to them as grades; some value the essay above all else. If your student isn’t aiming for a top-tier school, they don’t necessarily need to apply to several. Submit early, so there is time to apply to more if needed, but one may be enough if your child knows what they want and are aware of a college’s expectations.

Once your student has clicked that submit button, sit back, attempt to relax, and know you have done your job. Your not-solittle kiddo will reach that milestone and soon be ready to face the next one on their own. www.niche.com www.prepscholar.com(plus test prep, application experts)

GPA Calculator: https://gpacalculator.net/