November/December 2020

RCOE Public School Partnership: A Time-Honored Tradition!

In a season where traditions, relationships, and special memories are cherished, isn't it nice to know that our Public School Partnership has been a tradition for many of you for the past 33 years!?

Since 1987, the Appalachian State University Public School Partnership has developed and maintained a strong collaborative program between the university and area public schools to improve education. Members have agreed to work closely as equals for the purpose of making educational improvements in areas that are of mutual concern to the Partners. Attention is given to enhancing the preparation of teachers as well as to the continuing professional development of teachers. Shared decision making exists as members work toward educational initiatives and improvements within the Partnership schools.

Members of the partnership include 10 districts and two independent schools: Alexander County, Alleghany County, the Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork, Ashe County, Avery County, Burke County, Caldwell County, Elkin City Schools, Newton-Conover City Schools, NC School for the Deaf, Watauga County and Wilkes County, plus Appalachian’s Reich College of Education, Appalachian's College of Arts and Sciences, and the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance (NWRESA). The Public School Partnership also partners with Appalachian's Mathematics and Science Education Center, Office of International Education and Development, and College Access Programs/Partnerships.

So, welcome members--old and new--let's continue to grow in our traditions, connections, and special shared experiences! 'Tis the season for celebrating those who are a blessing and a gift to us, and we certainly consider each of our Partners to be a true gift to our Partnership and to our profession!

Lastly, as we celebrate our Fall 2020 Commencement on Friday, December 11th in a virtual ceremony, we will once again honor the traditions and commitment to excellence that make Appalachian State University so uniquely wonderful. To find out more about how the RCOE is operating and celebrating this season, check out the November RCOE Weekly "Connected" Newsletters, featuring news from our own Dean Spooner each week:

Happy Holidays to each or our Public School Partners, near and far!

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

Partnership Mini-Grant Winners!

Our PSP Mini-Grants Committee just completed our Fall 2020 round of mini-grant application evaluations. We had 21 applications this fall--up from 3 applications last fall! The selection process was VERY difficult this year.

The Appalachian State University Partnership Mini-Grants are intended to build relationships between Appalachian State faculty members and our partnering districts by engaging in collaborative projects that are connected to internships, student teaching, professional development of teachers, and/or student learning (P-12 and preservice teachers). The funding should not be used to take the place of current monies, but should be used to expand or refine existing efforts or to begin new initiatives. Partnership districts include Avery, Ashe, Alleghany, Alexander, Caldwell, Burke, Elkin City, Watauga, Newton-Conover City, and Wilkes County Schools, as well as the Appalachian Academy at Middle Fork and the NC School for the Deaf.

The Grant Committee chose the grants this fall based on their alignment to our goals of collaboration, sustainability, and innovation. According to our evaluation process, we will be able to fund 8 of the 21 applications/projects. We may not be able to fund the full projects proposed, but we have been able to commit some funding to the causes chosen. The current approved projects are as follows:

1) Children's Literature in the Music Classroom; Ashe County: $525.34

2) Hands-on Weather Unit in 2nd Grade; Watauga County: $400.33

3) Bilingual Library in Elementary School; Elkin City: $600.00

4) School-wide Literature Appreciation; Watauga County: $400.00

5) Visual Journaling for Emotional Stability; Alexander County: $460.00

6) SPED Practicum Module Stipends; App State RCOE/Watauga County: $500

7) Flexispot Desk Bikes; Watauga County: $500 or two bikes

8) Shinco Scopes for STEM Exploration; Watauga County: 5 microscopes or $500.00

See the full description of the PSP Mini-Grant Funded Projects here! And, check out our January PSP Newsletter for the Spring 2021 PSP Mini-Grants application link!

Partnership Leaders Council 2020-2021

As many of you know, we recently had an application process open for our inaugural Reich College of Education Partnership Leaders Council (PLC), which will involve representatives from our partnership districts, as well as future leaders from our educator preparation programs here at App State. These aspiring leaders have applied to be a part of the PLC and will receive leadership and equity training, as well as provide insight for our university on important matters in the field of education in 2020-2021.

Congratulations to the first cohort of Reich College of Education Partnership Leaders Council Members:

See Attached List of 2020-2021 PLC Members Here

We will be using the two attached frameworks to guide our plan for PD, special speakers, pre- and post- assessments, activities, and themes:

1) NC School Executive Standards and NC School Executive Standards Rubric

2) Forward Together: A School Leaders Guide to Creating Inclusive Schools

These distinguished PLC members were honored on Saturday, November 14th at the App State vs. Georgia State Football Game, as it was Education Day for Appalachian Football! Their pictures were displayed on the video board during the actual football game!

See read more about this exciting team, the football event, and the Sun Belt Conference Grant that will support these efforts, check out this article!

PSP Governing Board Dates

Feb. 19th: 10 am to 12 noon
April 16th: 10 am to 12 noon

Partnership Leaders Council Dates

December 9th: 4 to 6pm
February 10th: 4 to 6pm
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)

NOTE: We will meet virtually until further notice, due to social distancing guidelines.

Look what the MSEC has to offer YOU!

1) The MSEC is partnering again with the MELT program to offer a variety of professional development workshops on the summer. In particular, we are supporting two new courses, one on mathematics and special education and one on the CCRG Math course. More information can be found at melt.appstate.edu.

2) We are currently working with partners to plan a summit in the spring that will focus on progress and outcomes of a variety of mathematics initiatives of recent years. Topics will include Common Core influences, changes in community college mathematics coursework, and university mathematics pathways and admission. More information will be forthcoming, but educators at all levels will be invited to join us for this virtual event.

3) The MSEC continues to work to serve teachers and families in the region. We have purchased a variety of STEM materials to be places in public libraries of Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes Counties and will be considering additional ways to support learners during these times.

4) The MSEC will be reaching out for recommendations in each school in our region to create a network of STEM Ambassadors. Participating teachers will provide a communication link to their schools for the MSEC and provide feedback and guidance on MSEC planning. Additional information will be provided.

5) The popular Science Seminars series will kick back off in the spring semester. Our first session will be presented by Dr. Dan Caton, Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, on January 21 at 6 pm. This presentation will provide a tour of the Dark Sky Observatory.

6) Our latest newsletter can be found at this link: https://msec.appstate.edu/sites/default/files/msecnewsletter_fall2020.pdf We will begin to request submissions for teachers in both written and video form soon to include in future newsletters and on our website. If you know an outstanding teacher whose work might be a valuable contribution, let me know!

Congratulations, Mountaineer Readers!

Mountaineer Readers were recognized for their reading achievements during Appalachian State University’s Education Day football game on Saturday, November 14, 2020.

This year’s recognition looked very different from previous years. Instead of a visit to campus, the 15 top readers were treated to a virtual gathering via Zoom, where they met with football players, cheerleaders, Dr. Melba Spooner, dean of the RCOE, and Dr. Betsy Rosenbalm, director of the RCOE Public School Partnership.

Everyone shared their favorite books and what they have learned from the pandemic. The students also had the opportunity to ask questions of the football players and cheerleaders.

The overall top readers were:

Lane Baumgarner, Ellendale Elementary School
Neyralit Garcia Panchi, Academy at Middle Fork
Quinton Goss, Westwood Elementary School
Danett Hernandez, Academy at Middle Fork
Derek Hernandez, Academy at Middle Fork
Kassiti Hoke, Sparta School
Isadore Karchmer, Blue Ridge Elementary School
Emory Kerns, Blowing Rock Elementary School
Ali Lewis, Ellendale Elementary School
Claire Nance, Blowing Rock Elementary School
Gama Perez, Crossnore Elementary School
Parker Poore, Crossnore Elementary School
River Poplin, Westwood Elementary School
Evie Ray, Wittenberg Elementary School
Adalyn Thomas, Valdese Elementary School
Noah Thomas, Valdese Elementary School

Check out this great article to read more about this exciting celebratory event, and look for news about winning classroom and winning school celebrations in upcoming PSP Newsletters!

NBCTApps Update!

Did you know: For the fourth year in a row, Appalachian State University was ranked No. 1 by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) for having the highest number of alumni — 2,057 — who hold the national credential.

Since 1987, 22,653 teachers in North Carolina have attained national certification, which is based on a rigorous performance-based assessment that typically takes from one to three years to complete and measures what accomplished teachers and counselors should know and be able to do. In 2019, 710 North Carolina teachers gained the endorsement. We will soon find out the final numbers of accomplished teachers in December of 2020!

Nationally, 4,783 teachers achieved recertification in the 2018–19 academic year, including 1,421 board-certified teachers in North Carolina.

The state accounts for nearly one-fifth, or 18%, of all teachers nationally who are certified by the teaching standards organization. Nationally certified teachers also account for a larger percentage of the total teaching force in North Carolina than any other state, with more than one of every five having earned the credential.

To help support the ongoing achievement of NC teachers, and specifically App State Alumni, we have created the NBCTApps support program. We had a successful 4th event with the NBCTApps National Board Support Group on November 9th! We featured three award-winning NBCTs in our state as the expert presenters in the presentation: The Three Types of Effective Writing! The information shared was phenomenal and so very important to the true work of the process!

Check out our additional support events in the coming months, and sign up to attend at the link below!

December 2020: Work on your own (Reading, writing, and editing with your NBCT mentors/ on your own)
January 11, 2021 (3:45-5:15): Content-Specific Meetings
February 8, 2021 (3:45-5:15): Self-Assessment and Wellness Check
March 8, 2021 (3:45-5:15): Content-Specific Meetings
April 12, 2021 (3:45-5:15): Finalizing Products & the e-Portfolio
May 10, 2021 (3:45-5:15): Celebration of Submission!

Please fill out this brief registration survey to take advantage of these great supports! You will be contacted with more information via email, upon completion of this form. Interested Candidates Complete THIS Form

NC New Teacher Support Program

Virtual Content Sessions Offered!

The NC New Teacher Support Program (NC NTSP) offers three core services to provide resources and support for beginning teachers (BTs) across our state. The program provides: 1) weekly coaching for each teacher enrolled, 2) aligned professional development sessions at BT Meetings and onboarding orientations, and 3) a state-wide BT Institute each year to allow participating teachers to attend customized conference sessions created specifically for beginning teachers' needs.

This year the NC NTSP is adding an additional statewide support--Quarterly Content Coaching Sessions! We realize that your teachers may find this year to be challenging, and that is why the NC NTSP team is here to support new teachers beyond the annual BT Institute!

The Quarterly Content Coaching sessions consist of NC NTSP coaches across the state who meet with a group of teachers who teach in the same content area. These coaches are specialists in the content area sessions they moderate, and the teachers in attendance at the quarterly sessions attend from schools across the state, regardless of their assigned coach, region, or university affiliation.

To participate in these meetings, NC NTSP BTs are sent a Zoom link where teachers and coaches collaborate and work together to build on planning, instruction, and assessment concepts in a virtual learning environment.

The next Quarterly Content Coaching Sessions will take place the week of December 7-11, 2020. If your district has teachers in the NC NTSP, please encourage them to attend their specific content area virtual session! They will receive an invitation in the week to come, if they haven't already.

Let Betsy Rosenbalm or your assigned NC NTSP Instructional Coach know if you have any questions about how to get your NC NTSP teachers involved in these Quarterly Content Coaching Sessions!

Relevant Instructional Resources!

Perspective. An Open Letter to the Next NC State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Republican Catherine Truitt Elected next Superintendent of NC Public Schools
7 Ways to Infuse Your Curriculum with Hope
Creative Approaches to Supporting the Well-being of Staff
Visual Calm Space (SEL support in the virtual classroom!)
Supporting Teachers in a Difficult Year
Listening to Student Needs in 2020
Career and Technical Education News
Perspective. Zoom. Zoom. Zoom.
Tips for Building Early Reading Skills Online
Supporting Choice Reading for Students in Distance Learning
Perspective. Bridging the Achievement Gap for Black Male Students
Pre-K is Absolutely Crucial for Student Success
Racial Equity in Schools...
How a School Puts Culturally Responsive Teaching Into Practice
What Teachers want from their Leaders Right Now
New Testing Guidance Raises Concerns from Some Education Leaders
Reorganization Chart for NC DPI
Extensive List of App State Web Resources
Quick Reference Guides to the NC Standards for ALL subjects, Grades K-8!
Vertical Alignment of NC ELA Standards
Vertical Alignment of NC Math Standards
Science vertical alignment 3-5.pdf, Science Vertical Alignment 6-8
SS vertical alignment k-2.pdf, SS vertical alignment -3-5
For a weekly digest of education news across North Carolina, subscribe to EducationNC's EdWeekly.
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Engaging Opportunities for YOU!

NW RESA PD Offerings:

Coaching Academy News: Participant List; Virtual sessions for Winter/Spring 2021: Jan. 27, Feb. 24, March 16, April 13
PD for Winter/Spring Ideas
CoachFest now CoachWeek 2021

NCCAT PD Offerings:

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

NCDPI PD Offerings:

App State PD Offerings:

The RCOE will organize some events around Black Lives Matter at School Week, which will occur February 1-5, 2021. A new book will hit the shelves just in time for us to do some reading before February. Black Lives Matter at School: An Uprising for Education Justice, an essential collection of essays, interviews, poems, resolutions, and more from educators, students, and activists who have been building the Black Lives Matter at School movement across the country, is a must read! We invite you to consider attending this Online Teach-In with the book's editors, Jesse Hagopian and Denisha Jones to discuss anti-racist education with contributor Brian Jones. The Online Teach-In will be held Wednesday, December 2 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Click here to RSVP and a link will be sent to you the day of the event. It will have live captioning and will be recorded. We hope to see you there!

Online PD Offerings and PSAs:

Please join @StoverScience @dawngilc @AshleyBaileyam @TheRealDMScott @TSmithECS @ms_maggiemurphy and the 2020 Burroughs Wellcome Fund Teacher of the Year team for a series of equity chats beginning Dec 1st @ 7:00. Your voice is valued! #equityfootprint #nctoypoy @BWFUND
If you were not able to attend this year's Color of Education Virtual Summit, you are in luck! The Color of Education team has put together a resource page that contains recordings for each session, speaker biographies, student reflections and other resources. We encourage everyone to continue to stay engaged with Color of Education, The Dudley Flood Center and our partner organizations as we continue to work together to eradicate racial inequities in education.