February 2022 Newsblast No images? Click here Teach Plus Names Kira Orange Jones New CEOTeach Plus is excited to announce Kira Orange Jones as our next CEO. Kira is a former fourth grade teacher, the founder of the Systems Impact Lab at TFA, and is an elected representative on the Louisiana BESE. She will begin her position on April 18th. "Together, we will chart a course that places the voices and impact of teachers at the vanguard of the movement for a more equitable education for students," said Kira. Read the full press release here. From Teach Plus Illinois Dear Teachers, Good afternoon! This month brings hope on the education front. Governor Pritzker’s proposed budget includes some key wins, there are some promising new bills in the General Assembly, and a great new TV show that features a non-triggering, funny, yet realistic view of teachers. Here are the details:
Here’s hoping you have something fun & light to go with your bills and budgets this month. Josh Kaufmann Teach Plus Illinois Honors Black History MonthTeach Plus Illinois recognizes the continuous efforts, accomplishments, and contributions from Black educators, leaders, and allies. We appreciate those that continue to push for equity, foster students' successes, and be outstanding pillars for the community. Thank you! Teach Plus IL in the News Kate Lee, Illinois State Board of Education's 2021 Outstanding Early Career Educator and 2020-21 Teach Plus Illinois ILSTOY Policy Fellow, Justin Johnson, the 2021 IL Teacher of the Year and 2020-21 Teach Plus Illinois ILSTOY Policy Fellow, and current Teach Plus IL K-12 Teaching Policy Fellow, Madeline Wood organized a House Meeting focused on the Racism-Free Schools Movement that Teach Plus is leading. Kate Lee, Illinois State Board of Education's 2021 Outstanding Early Career Educator and 2020-21 Teach Plus Illinois ILSTOY Policy Fellow Madeline Wood, current Teach Plus IL K-12 Teaching Policy Fellow Opportunities North Central College Master of Education Instant Admission WebinarJoin faculty and staff to learn how you can advance your education career with an Educational Leadership or Instructional Coaching degree. Attend this Instant Admission event to:
For more information on the Educational Leadership program, click here. Reset, Refresh, Remix: Instructional Strategies to Energize Language InstructionEducators and instructional coaches who support multilingual learners are invited to engage in a live online session and asynchronous learning activities which will involve:
**Participants must attend the two-hour live session (Part A) in order to be eligible to complete the optional reflection/application (Part B) to earn an additional three hours of professional development credits. This professional learning experience will include both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. Participants can earn up to a total of five hours of professional development credits for their participation in Parts A and B. For more information, click here. Storytelling for Strong CommunitiesK-12 Educators are invited to engage in a live online session and asynchronous learning activities which will involve:
**Participants must attend the two-hour live session (Part A) in order to be eligible to complete the optional reflection/application (Part B) to earn an additional three hours of professional development credits. This professional learning experience will include both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. Participants can earn up to a total of five hours of professional development credits for their participation in Parts A and B. For more information, click here. Language Detectives: Conferral and Small Group Writing Instruction K-8K-8 General Educators, Content Area Specialists, and Language Support Teachers are invited to engage in a live online session and asynchronous learning activities which will involve:
**Participants must attend the two-hour live session (Part A) in order to be eligible to complete the optional reflection/application (Part B) to earn an additional three hours of professional development credits. This professional learning experience will include both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. Participants can earn up to a total of five hours of professional development credits for their participation in Parts A and B. For more information, click here. National Webinar: A Conversation on Student and Teacher Mental HealthJoin Teach Plus and teachers from around the country for a panel discussion featuring Teach Plus TX Alumna Tara Bordeaux and her students at Navarro Early College High School, who recently appeared on an episode of Netflix's Queer Eye that focused on addressing students' social and emotional needs in the wake of the pandemic. Read the full press release here. North Central College Character Education CertificateThe Character Education Certificate course, offered at a nominal fee, is ideal for administrative leaders, classroom teachers, educational specialists and school and district leaders focused on school climate and culture. Upon completion of the 3 modules (5 weeks each), licensed teachers will be eligible for 45 professional development units. The course offers flexible entry points and is 100% online. Module 1 will begin April 3, 2022. Designed to be responsive to trends in today's world, the Character Education Certificate will provide an additional credential that will give teachers and leaders a competitive edge in their career.
The next opportunity to begin the Character Education Certificate is April 3. Please register by March 25 to reserve your place in this spring 2022 cohort. For more information, click here. Questions? Good Reads Chief Executive Officer of Brightbeam Chris Stewart addresses the issue of discomfort that exists in conversations regarding white supremacy and the erasure of Black history, and the importance of educating our children with a full and honest portrayal of American history. "If we are truly motivated to create a future that defeats the past, a future where we have risen above the durable walls of separation racism erected, we must accept discomfort, valorize truth, and labor for reconciliation. We must teach our children how the world became the way it is and trust them with the information," Chris writes. Read the full article here. Teaching Policy Fellowship Alumna Gina Caneva shares her thoughts on the mask mandates in Illinois schools in the Chicago Sun-Times. "As an educator, it also just plain sucks to wear a mask. They are difficult to talk through for long periods of time, and it’s difficult to hear students’ answers too. But I put one on every morning and take it off once I leave the school because I still believe in the science that proves that they work," Gina writes. Read the full article here. Governor Pritzker, who is running for re-election, unveiled a budget proposal with tax cuts and more money for schools and young learners. This year, the governor plans to increase the state’s education general fund by $498.1 million — a 5.4% increase — for an overall budget of $9.7 billion. “This is one of those rare budgets where we have a fiscally responsible budget, but it’s one that is proposing needed investments and it’s doing it across the entirety of the educational continuum, which is just wonderful to see and good for kids," said Robin Steans, President of Advance Illinois. This will add $350.2 million to the formula that disperses funding through a tier system and property tax relief grants to the state’s K-12 school districts. Illinois lawmakers will make the final call on the state’s budget at the end of the session. Read the full overview here. |