March 2021

Better Days Ahead!

Warmer temperatures, budding flowers, longer days, and fewer layers help to lighten our spirits and give us hope for better days! As we look to the hope of a fading pandemic and more resources provided, we are excited about ways that we can engage with our students, staff, and faculty again with more insight and focus on the important things in life. Let us remind you that App State is here to help you focus, to help you gather, to help you put the pieces back together. Whether you professional development, student involvement, learning resources, or opportunities for growth, let us know how we can add joy to your journey ahead!

RCOE: INTENTIONAL~INFORMED~INCLUSIVE~INTERCONNECTED

To find out more about how the RCOE supports you and the students, staff, faculty, and partners in and around our college who are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, as well, check out the March RCOE Weekly "Connected" Newsletters, featuring news from our own Dean Spooner each week:

Dr. Betsy Rosenbalm, NBCT

Director, Public School Partnership/Regional Director, NC New Teacher Support Program

Reich College of Education, Appalachian State University

rosenbalmem@appstate.edu; 704-657-0764

Congratulations,

Spring 2021 PSP Mini-Grant Winners!

NBCTApps Update!

App State is celebrating being #1 in the NATION once again for National Board Certified Alumni! Read more about this amazing legacy HERE!

And don't forget to check out our 2 remaining National Board support events in the coming months! Sign up to attend at the link below!

April 12, 2021 (3:45-5:15): Finalizing Products & the e-Portfolio
May 10, 2021 (3:45-5:15): Celebration of Submission!

Fill out this brief registration survey to take advantage of our App State NBCT supports! You will be contacted with more information via email, upon completion of this form. Interested Candidates Complete THIS Form!

Celebrations in Store!

The Public School Partnership (PSP) would like to celebrate your district Teacher of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Principal of the Year by sending them a care package of goodies to celebrate their accomplishments!

Superintendents, please fill out this quick form to share your district's information for the 2020-2021 school year!

Calling All Curriculum Experts

and Problem Solvers!

Are you interested in co-constructing learning experiences, assessments, and field experiences for pre-service teachers in order to collaborate for a mutually beneficial relationship between the Reich College of Education and P-12 Schools? Would you be excited about being a part of a problem-solving team with members of the Reich College of Education?

If so, we are looking for P-12 educators and various other students and partners who would be willing to serve on an advisory group (either in the official AppVisory Group and/or on a Program Advisory Team) and meet 2-4 times a year for meaningful, collaborative discussions and planning!

Please fill out THIS FORM by April 30th if you are interested in being on an RCOE Advisory Group for the 2021-2023 biennium!

Are you Considering the NC New Teacher Support Program?

This year the Appalachian State University region of the NC New Teacher Support Program serves 63 beginning teachers in 10 PSUs! That is triple the amount of teachers that we served in the 2017-2018 school year! The needs are great and we are here to help! If you have beginning teachers and lateral entry teachers who need additional support in the form of weekly coaching, timely professional development, and attendance at an all-expense paid BT Conference, please contact Dr. Rosenbalm at rosenbalmem@appstate.edu. And if you are still considering the possibility of our program, here are:

The TOP TEN reasons why EVERY teacher needs a coach/mentor:

Relevant Instructional Resources!

From Teach YourSelf Care.

If you feel like you have nothing to look forward to, try this post.
If you need help building healthy habits, give this one a look.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, this post will help you to cope.
If you need to be a little kinder to yourself, click here for some ideas.
If you want to know why self-care is important, here is your answer.
If you want to feel positive emotions more often, this post is for you.
If you need to set some healthy boundaries check out last week's post.
Five Mindfulness Tools to Reduce Anxiety Now

Engaging Opportunities for YOU!

State Opportunities:

NCCAT Opportunities: Do you need professional development? NCCAT has many residential, remote, and district level PD opportunities.
Legislative Update: Link to the bi-weekly Legislative Update that highlights government and community affairs activity around education.
State Board of Education Agenda: The State Board of Education meets the first week of each month. The April meeting is scheduled for April 7-8, 2021. The agenda is available two weeks before the meeting. Check back here for updates and materials.

NWRESA PD Offerings:

Math 4 Series: The two sessions are in Canvas and NWRESA will create a Canvas course for each session. The March 18th session was moved to March 25th (presenter had surgery) Canvas Course Registration
Sound of Reading: Phonological Awareness in the Classroom Today- April 27th; 12:30-3:30; Virtual. Kelley Bendheim, Jessica Fitzgerald and Mary Phillips will be facilitating the session. Registration available at: www.nwresa.org
AIG Registration: A decision will be made in April as to whether the session will be F2F or Virtual. Registration available at: MS/HS June 7-11 or Elementary June 14-18

App State PD Offerings:

PSP Governing Board Dates

April 15th: 10 am to 12 noon (Thursday)

Partnership Leaders Council (PLC) Dates

April 14th: 4 to 6pm
June 3rd: 4 to 6pm
July 14-15, 2021: RCOE Conference opportunity (2 day virtual event; responsibilities will vary among participants)

Upcoming PLC Extracurricular Projects

PLC "Deep Dive" PDs being offered in Spring/Summer of 2021:

April 29th at 4pm: Impact of the Pandemic on Teacher Well-being and Teacher Resilience
TBA: Defining Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for School and District Leaders (Ms. Karen Anderson, NC State Principal Preparation Team)
TBA: Navigating Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Rural NC (Pt 2)

PLC members' top choices for service projects in Spring/Summer of 2021:

Providing help for parents/families who don't know how to support their students during remote learning (parent nights, tutoring, training for families, etc.)
Collecting and distributing needed items for children and families who lack resources (garden vegetables, canned foods, clothes, toiletries, school supplies, etc.)
Doing online/virtual story time for children with recorded read alouds of picture books