Category Archives: Educators Rising California

The Struggle to Retain Teachers

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The state of Hawaii faces a problem schools and districts across the nation are facing.
 
 
An article in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (lubbockonline), recently highlighted the state of Hawaii’s conflict with retaining new teachers…mainly on the State’s smaller islands.
 
A variety of factors play into this dilemma, some being the culture-shock teachers unfamiliar with the island face, and the low income toppled with the high cost of living.
 
The island state is attempting to combat this teacher retention issue by utilizing the $75 million they have received in a “Race to the Top” grant, supplied by the Federal government.
 
Interestingly, however, the struggle to recruit new teachers is not a dilemma the state of Hawaii alone faces. Nationwide, there is a shortage of teachers, and it is a concern for the future of education.
 
Two of Project Tomorrow’s initiatives, YouthTEACH2Learn & the Future Educators Association of California are working to combat this issue.
 
YouthTEACH2Learn is an opportunity for high school students interested in teaching careers to gain hands-on experience by teaching math and science lessons to elementary students. To learn more about YouthTEACH2Learn, visit http://www.tomorrow.org/programs/teach2learn.html.
 
F.E.A. California provides experiences and opportunities for students interested in pursuing teaching as a career. A variety of opportunities are open to F.E.A. California members, including participation in competitions, access to lesson plan databases, college admission information, and more. To learn more about F.E.A. California, visit http://www.futureeducatorsca.org/.
 
What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share your comments below.
 
Remember, registration for Speak Up 2013 is around the corner! Please check our website, www.tomorrow.org, frequently in the coming days to learn more information.
 
Thank you for your continued support in Project Tomorrow.
 
– The Project Tomorrow Team

Throwback Thursday

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It’s Throwback Thursday here on the Project Tomorrow Blog!
 
What is your favorite memory of your K-12 education? Was it a particular teacher, subject, or project you worked on?
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Looking back, what technology do you wish you had during your school years? Would it be the Internet, a laptop, a tablet, a calculator, or something else? How do you think it would have helped you?
 
Looking forward, what technological resources do you think can aid our students in their educational pursuits in our K-12 schools?
 
Be sure to join us in the conversation! Post your comments below!
 
– The Project Tomorrow Team
 
*Be sure to keep checking our website, www.tomorrow.org. We will be unveiling a shiny new website in the next coming weeks!
 
Thank you for your continued support in Project Tomorrow.

Flipped Classrooms: The Basics

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The term “flipped classroom” is a concept being thrown around educational circles and beyond…but what does it actually mean?
 
Essentially, a flipped classroom entails a reversal of the traditional classroom model, where teachers/educators lecture during class time, and assign homework to be completed outside the classroom.
 
In a flipped class, educators will record video lectures that students watch as part of their homework. Class time is then reserved for experiential learning, breakout sessions, discussions, and clarifying of concepts not fully understood by the lecture recordings.
 
It is important to note that there isn’t one particular standard model for the “flipped learning” approach. Educators can tailor the model to fit the course subject and the needs of their students. However, although the flipped model can vary from educator to educator, and classroom to classroom, the role reversal of lecture in class and homework at home is what makes a flipped model unique.
 
What are the benefits of this model?
 
Flipped classrooms can provide a myriad of benefits, but arguably the greatest benefit comes from the recorded video lectures. With pre-recorded video lectures, students can pause and rewind concepts according to their pace and varying learning styles. In a live classroom, students are unable to “pause” or “rewind” certain points of the lecture that may have been missed by taking notes, or may have missed due to needing extra clarification on the concept.
 
Moreover, the flipped model provides for more time on not only having the students understand the various concepts, but also more class time for experimenting with the concepts by way of projects, presentations, small-group discussions, and more.
 
For more information on flipped classrooms, check out Educause’s informational sheet highlighting 7 important concepts behind the flipped model here.
Speak Up surveys, an intiative of Project Tomorrow, asks students, teachers, parents, administrators and more about their unfiltered viewpoints on innovative and key educational concepts such as flipped learning. We then take those responses, and synthsize our research to find out how these models are working for our students, educators, and communities.

Interested in having your school or district participate in Speak Up 2013? Registration for Speak Up 2013 is coming soon! Please check the Speak Up website frequently for more information in the next coming weeks.
 

Have you ever been a student of a flipped classroom or know someone who is a student in a flipped classroom? Are you an educator using the flipped approach? Share your thoughts and experiences on the matter with us.
 

Science Learning in California Middle Schools

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Middle school science students across the state of California
seem to be overwhelmingly uninterested in the subject of science.
Proper science equipment, access to labs, teachers prepared for science instruction, and time set aside for science lessons would lead one to think that students learning in this environment would retain proper science comprehension…correct?
Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case with California students in middle and intermediate schools across the state, according to The Center for the Future of Teaching & Learning at West Ed.
This paradox is likely the result of ill-prepared students, not necessarily from the ill-preparation of their middle school science instructors, but rather ill-preparation stemming from lack of proper science instruction & funding in elementary schools. A domino effect seems to be at full-force in this situation, as lack of science instruction throughout elementary school years has stemmed an overwhelming lack of interest in the subject with middle schools students and beyond. This lack of interest from the students is having an impact upon the teachers’ ability to convey information effectively.
Moreover, although middle & intermediate school science teachers may have the knowledge-base needed to properly instruct students, almost 25% percent of them are not credentialed in science instruction. Opportunities for teachers to continue their education in the ever-changing field of science are urged, based on the results of the research.
Luckily, the YouthTeach2Learn program at Project Tomorrow is working to combat this trend. YouthTeach2Learn allows the opportunity for high school students interested in teaching careers to instruct elementary school students on subjects in math & science. Hands-on and experiential learning is urged, and, as a result, a spark in interest in math and science is ignited at a young age.
To learn more about the YouthTeach2Learn program & Project Tomorrow, please visit our website here.
To read more about The Center for the Future of Teaching & Learning at West Ed’s research on this topic, click here.
Feel free to share with us your comments below. Thank you for your support in Project Tomorrow.
– The Project Tomorrow Team

Virtual K-12 Education

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Is Virtual K-12 Schooling the Way of the Future? 
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We have all heard by now of the possibilities of online higher education degrees, but what about online education for K-12 students?
 
One school in particular, Hoosier Academies, the largest virtual public school in Indiana, is doing just that.
 
Students at Hoosier Academies attend classes online, and can learn from just about anywhere. The days where elementary education is confined to a four-wall classroom are no longer the end-all, be-all route to K-12 education in the US.
 
What benefits does online K-12 education bring? The answers are as diverse as the educational needs of each student, but for many students who may need lessons repeated for proper understanding & comprehension, online classrooms can offer a beneficial alternative to traditional schooling. Additionally, online classes can be a suitable fit for students who become easily distracted by the noises/sounds of a packed classroom, & can also meet the needs of students with learning disabilities more effectively than can traditional classrooms.
 
To learn more about Hoosier Academies, visit their website, or read an article highlighting this school in the South Bend Tribune here.
 
What are your thoughts on online K-12 education?
 
Feel free to share your comments with us below.

-The Project Tomorrow Team

Top 10 Reasons to Join Future Educators Association of California

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Why should you join FEA? The reasons are endless! Here are just a few…

#1. Competitive Events Program
Integrate projects within your Child Development and Education Careers curriculum and compete across the nation!  Develop your students teamwork, decision-making, critical thinking, and leadership skills.

#2. Regional, State, and National Conferences
Allow students to network, share success stories, and collaborate with other chapters.  Help your students develop personal, social, and leadership skills.

#3. Leadership Development Opportunities
Give students a chance to hold local, regional, state, and national officer positions that allow them the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and leadership experience.

#4. Academic and Career Training
FEA California’s partnerships with colleges and universities across the state allow students more access to college entrance information and career counseling.

#5. Prof. Development Opportunities
Career training by college professors, leadership trainings, and exposure to mentors within the field just to name a few…

#6. Low Cost
Chapters pay one low chapter fee that includes ALL services.  There is no need to pay individual membership fees, conference fees, uniforms etc.  The Chapter Fee covers it all!

#7. Advisor Training and Colaboration
FEA is a great place for teachers and academy coordinators to collaborate and share program ideas.  FEA also provides training sessions for advisors so they can enhance their classrooms and schools.

#8. Curriculum Integration
FEA’s competitive events are aligned with California CTE and academic standards providing a great opportunity to orchestrate engaging projects in a competitive environment.

#9. Community Service Opportunities
Allows more students the opportunity to get involved in the community and build community awareness that will help develop them as humanitarians and role models within their communities.

#10. YouthTEACH2Learn Curriculum
FEA members have access to an assortment of YouthTEACH2Learn lesson plans and activities that are great to use in class or during chapter meetings.

To learn more about FEA and other Project Tomorrow programs visit us at www.tomorrow.org.

About YouthTeach2Learn

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The YouthTEACH2Learn career exploration program is an intiative of Project Tomorrow where students explore teaching as a career with a focus on Math and Science instruction. During the course, students gain practical experience by observing elementary school classrooms, learning and developing teaching skills, as well as creating and teaching standards-based lessons at elementary schools. In addition, students also have the opportunity to meet local educators, attend career panels and visit local college campuses in order to determine if the teaching is a “good-fit” for their professional goals.

Benefits of the program:

  • Opportunity for high school teacher to earn $10 per student in the program to be spent at will
  • Encourages career exploration and develops professional skills
  • Increases elementary students’ interest in science and math at an early age.
  • Provides elementary school teachers with enhanced science or math lessons and encouragement to improve their own science or math lessons.
  • Develops a “grow your own” system of teacher development from the community
  • Increases the amount of students playing a vital role in the community
What does the program include?
  • The program includes a full year curriculum guide with supplemental resources such as presentations and assigned readings. 
  • Along with the curriculum is teacher training for the high school teacher and administrator. 
  • A program manager will work with each school site to assist in setting up the program, the development of high school approved credit, college and university articulation agreements, program evaluation, as well as the coordination of guest speakers and Future Educators Association events.
What does the program cost?
  • The program is FREE for all teachers/school sites with the opportunity to generate some extra income as well! 
  • Additional training costs vary based on location, length of training, and number of teachers. 
  • Schools may qualify for free training, submit an application and find out if your school qualifies!  
  • We are currently offering free training for the first 5 schools who sign up for the 2013-14 school year!

What will students do during the class?
  • This class is set up as a “hands on” linked learning experience.  Students learn and practice teaching theories and concepts in the classroom and have a chance to implement what they learned by teaching full class instruction at elementary schools.  It is the practical experience that allows the students to learn the most about the teaching profession.

Why would students take the class?
  • There are many reasons for students to take the class.  Many students take the class to explore teaching as a career and to gain experience working with children. 
  • Some students take the class In order to develop professional skills such as leadership, teamwork, time management, presentation, and public speaking.

To learn more and/or to have your school considered for participation, please contact: Nate Moser, Program Manager, at nmoser@tomorrow.org or 949 609-4660 ext 16.

Record Numbers of Retiring Teachers

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Recently, an article in GreenwichTime.com reported that high numbers of teachers are choosing to retire this year.

A variety of reasons for this mass retirement are elaborated upon further in the article, but some of the main reasons highlighted include:
1. Age
2. Policy changes in retirement options
3. Educational reforms (specifically reforms that tie a teacher’s evaluation criteria on the test scores of his/her students)
With retiring teachers on the rise nation-wide, the future of our education lies in the hands of our current and future educators. The Future Educators Association of California, an initiative of Project Tomorrow, was established in order to “attract, equip and provide experiences for students who are exploring teaching as a future career; to develop essential skills that will lead to highly trained and qualified teachers.” Now, more than ever, we must invest & support our future educators in order to plan for a bright tomorrow. To learn more about F.E.A California, log onto http://www.futureeducatorsca.org/.
How do you think the rise of retiring teachers will affect our children & education in the United States?
Future Educators of CA