Alabama Teacher of the Year APPLICATION FOR A program of the Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education

Transcription

1 Alabama Teacher of the Year APPLICATION FOR A program of the Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education

2 Greetings from Dr. Alison Grizzle P.D. Jackson Olin High School Birmingham City Schools Alabama Teacher of the Year Alabama What a humbling Teacher experience for me to write the introduction for this very special book. As the current Alabama Teacher of of the Year the Year, it has been an honor to represent the innovative, passionate, and dedicated teachers of the state, and you you are one of those teachers. Your peers believe that you possess the characteristics of a highly effective teacher. As a teacher who works hard to impact student learning on a daily basis, you know that your work matters. In order for our students to meet the rigorous college- and career-ready standards, we all understand that quality teaching must be a priority in every school and every classroom. As great teachers understand, teaching does not stop in the classroom. Teacher leaders are transforming schools around the country. They are helping to develop curriculum, implement reforms, and mentor new teachers. You are being celebrated because you are a teacher leader. As a GREAT teacher and a teacher leader, you understand that with high honors and recognition, more work lies ahead. This honor, too, requires an extra step, but this step is well worth the effort because the opportunity to reflect on practice is extremely rewarding. So... as you look ahead at the blank pages and wonder what words best represent you, your students, and your practice, be reminded that your peers believe in you. As a teacher and a teacher leader, sometimes it is easy to begin to believe that your hard work goes unnoticed and unappreciated, but I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU! Thank you for doing bus duty, thank you for lesson planning at home; thank you for tutoring students, thank you for leading committees, thank you for providing mentoring, and thank you for facilitating professional development. Thank you for ALL that you do!! Congratulations on this great honor and best wishes. Alabama State Board of Education Governor Robert Bentley - President District 1...Tracy T. Roberts District 2...Betty Peters District 3...Stephanie Bell District 4...Yvette M. Richardson, Ed.D. District 5...Ella B. Bell, President Pro Tem District 6...Charles E. Elliott, M.D., Vice President District 7...Jeff Newman District 8...Mary Scott Hunter, J.D. Thomas R. Bice, Ed.D., State Superintendent of Education and Secretary and Executive Officer

3 Alabama Teacher of the Year Contents Purpose, Duties, Eligibility, and Administration...ii The Selection Process...iii Timeline for Selection...v Honors and Awards...vi State Board of Education Districts...vii Instructions for Submitting Applications to the Alabama State Department of Education...viii Criteria for Judging the Alabama Teacher of the Year Candidates ix Teacher of the Year Application Form i. General Information/Signatures...1 ii. Educational History and Professional Development Activities...3 iii. Professional Biography...7 iv. Community Involvement...11 v. Philosophy of Teaching...13 vi. Education Issues and Trends...17 vii. Alabama Teacher of the Year...21 viii. Letters of Support...23 FOR MORE INFORMATION The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program is administered by the Communication Office of the Alabama State Department of Education. For more information, contact: Ann Starks, State Coordinator Alabama Teacher of the Year Program Alabama State Department of Education 50 North Ripley Street 5114 Gordon Persons Building Montgomery, Alabama Tel: Fax: i

4 Alabama Teacher of the Year Purpose The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program seeks annually to honor and recognize excellence in the teaching profession by identifying outstanding Alabama classroom teachers at local, district, and state levels. Duties The Alabama Teacher of the Year serves as a full-time ambassador for the teaching profession for one year by speaking to civic and professional organizations, K-12 schools, colleges and universities; conducting workshops for teachers; and writing newspaper and magazine articles. Eligibility The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program is open to any public school certified classroom teacher whose major responsibility is to work with children in a P-12 setting to provide learning opportunities based on the appropriate State Courses of Study. A classroom teacher excludes all forms of paraprofessionals or paraeducators; certificated professionals employed as a librarian, counselor, psychometrist, psychologist, supervisor, administrator; academic coach for teachers; or other instructional support position titles. Administration The program is administered by the Alabama State Department of Education. Travel expenses for the Teacher of the Year and Alternate Teacher of the Year are paid by the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program. This booklet may also be accessed on our website at ii

5 Alabama Teacher of the Year The Selection Process This application form may be photocopied as needed. For the purpose of this program, an elementary teacher is one who works in Grades K through 6 and a secondary teacher is one who works in Grades 7 through 12. The middle school teacher is considered an elementary teacher or a secondary teacher as determined by the major portion of the school day spent in teaching Grades K through 6 (elementary) or Grades 7 through 12 (secondary). Nominees should be grouped accordingly. All nominees must be full-time classroom teachers who plan to continue in an active teaching status. SCHOOL LEVEL A Teacher of the Year selection committee should be appointed at the school level to solicit nominees and select the school s Teacher(s) of the Year (elementary and/or secondary). The school-level Teacher of the Year selection committee should be composed of: Principal Parent organization representative Teacher Student representative School counselor or school librarian (if no counselor or librarian serves the school, a second classroom teacher should be selected by the committee). The school-level Teacher of the Year selection committee, under the guidance of the principal, should make information about the program available to all faculty, parent organizations, and at the appropriate grade levels students. After making its selection, the application(s) should be forwarded to the school system superintendent for participation in the school system-level selection. SCHOOL SYSTEM LEVEL The school system-level Teacher of the Year selection committee should be appointed to receive the nominations from each school and to select from those nominations a school system elementary Teacher of the Year and/or a school system secondary Teacher of the Year.The committee should be composed of: Superintendent School board member Parent organization representative Elementary teacher Secondary teacher Once the school system-level selection committee has chosen its Teacher of the Year honorees, the applications should be forwarded to the Alabama State Department of Education. iii

6 STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT LEVEL The applications of the honorees from each local school system will be reviewed by a district-level Teacher of the Year selection committee in each of the eight State Board of Education districts. Each committee will select a district elementary Teacher of the Year and a district secondary Teacher of the Year, for a total of 16 district honorees. Each district-level committee should be composed of: District representative on the State Board of Education Local superintendent Local board of education member Two business representatives Current District Elementary Teacher of the Year Current District Secondary Teacher of the Year Dean of education from a college or university Each committee will evaluate applications from a district other than its own. A map showing the districts is on page vii. STATE LEVEL The state-level Teacher of the Year selection committee will be composed of the outgoing Alabama Teacher of the Year or Alternate Alabama Teacher of the Year and representatives of the following: Alabama State Board of Education State Superintendent of Education Alabama Association of Colleges of Teacher Education Alabama Association of School Boards Alabama Congress of Parents and Teachers Alabama Education Association A-Plus Education Partnership Alabama Milken Educators Network Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools School Superintendents of Alabama Media and business community Crtiteria for DVD: Once the 16 district teachers have been selected, each teacher will be required to submit a 10- to 15- minute video on DVD from his or her classroom. The state-level Teacher of the Year selection committee will receive the video and select four finalists. The committee will then schedule and conduct personal interviews with these four nominees. From these top four, the committee will select the Alabama Teacher of the Year and the Alternate Alabama Teacher of the Year. One will be an elementary teacher and one will be a secondary teacher. iv

7 Timeline for Selection August 2013 September 2013 December January 2014 (Dates set by local school systems) January 29, 2014 Alabama Teacher of the Year application placed on Alabama State Department of Education website Applications mailed to local school systems and schools Applications selected by local school systems Final Alabama Teacher of the Year applications for local school system s nominees should be mailed or hand-delivered to: Ann Starks, Coordinator Alabama Teacher of the Year Program Alabama State Department of Education 50 North Ripley Street 5114 Gordon Persons Building Montgomery, AL January - March 2014 May 7, 2014 November 2014 Alabama State Board of Education District-Level Selection Committees will select district Teachers of the Year. The state-level selection committee will select the Alabama Teacher of the Year and an Alternate Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony The application of the Alabama Teacher of the Year will be forwarded to Washington, D.C., for entry in the National Teacher of the Year Program. The National Teacher of the Year Program, presented by the ING Foundation, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers. Alabama Teacher of the Year v

8 Alabama Teacher of the Year HONORS AND AWARDS SCHOOL AND SCHOOL SYSTEM LEVEL: Local school officials are encouraged to honor and recognize their respective Teachers of the Year as they deem appropriate. STATE LEVEL: The Alabama State Board of Education District Teachers of the Year, the Alabama Teacher of the Year, and the Alternate Teacher of the Year will be honored at a special awards reception in Montgomery and will be recognized at a meeting of the Alabama State Board of Education. Announcement of the honors will be disseminated to news media statewide. The following awards were received by the Alabama Teacher of the Year, Alternate Teacher of the Year, and District Teachers of the Year. Awards are subject to change without notice. MONETARY AWARDS Alabama State Board of Education and Alabama State Department of Education Grant Awards to be used for classroom and/or instructional improvement: Alabama Teacher of the Year $2,500 Alabama Teacher of the Year s School $300 Alternate Alabama Teacher of the Year $1,500 Alternate s School $300 Two Finalists $750 each District Teachers of the Year $500 each Alabama Scottish Rite Foundation Cash Award for Alabama Teacher of the Year Software Technology, Inc. Cash Award for Alabama Teacher of the Year $1,200 Cash Award for Alternate Teacher of the Year $500 Grant Awards for 14 District Teachers of the Year $200 Data Recognition Corporation Cash Award for Alabama Teacher of the Year $5,000 AlAbAMA ASSOCIATION Of SCHOOl boards Gift Cards for the District Teachers of the Year AlAbAMA STATE board Of EDuCATION and AlAbAMA STATE DEPARTMENT Of EDuCATION Grant Awards to be used for classroom and/or instructional improvement: Alabama Teacher of the Year...$2,500 Alabama Teacher of the Year s School...$300 Alternate Alabama Teacher of the Year...$1,500 Alternate s School...$300 Two Finalists...$750 each District Teachers of the Year... $500 each AlAbAMA PTA - Gift Baskets AlAbAMA EDuCATION ASSOCIATION Program Support AlfA farmers federation and AlfA INSuRANCE COMPANIES Use of a 2013 Chevrolet Impala for one year for Alabama Teacher of the Year baptist HEAlTH Trophy for Alabama Teacher of the Year blue bell CREAMERIES Ice cream delivered to the schools of District Teachers of the Year CHAPPY S DElI - Program Support EMbASSY SuITES Gift Certificate for Alternate Teacher of the Year louisa S bakery Program Support COuNCIl for leaders IN AlAbAMA SCHOOlS A plaque for each District Teacher of the Year and Program Support OTHER AWARDS CRACkER barrel Gift Certificate for Alabama Teacher of the Year GOODWYN MIllS AND CAWOOD, INC. Portfolios for Alabama Teacher of the Year Nominees lee AND lan florist Corsages and Boutonnieres for District Teachers of theyear SCHOOl SuPERINTENDENTS Of AlAbAMA Program Support PEARSON EDuCATION Trophy for Alabama Alternate Teacher of the Year AlAbAMA SCOTTISH RITE foundation Cash Award for Alabama Teacher of the Year SMART TECHNOlOGIES, INC. For Alabama Teacher of theyear: A SMART Board 600i interactive whiteboard system featuring a built-in Unifi projector, an integrated audio system, and a SMART Board interactive whiteboard An Airliner wireless slate SMART Ideas concept-mapping software (school license) Bridgit data-conferencing software (two-year subscription for five users) SynchonEyes Classroom Management Software (computer lab license) SOfTWARE TECHNOlOGY, INC. Cash Award for Alabama Teacher of the Year...$1,200 Cash Award for Alternate Teacher of the Year...$500 Grant Awards for 14 District Teachers of the Year...$200 DATA RECOGNITION CORPORATION Cash Award for Alabama Teacher of the Year...$5,000 A+ EDuCATION PARTNERSHIP Program Support vi PROGRAM SPONSORS Alabama Education Association, Business Council of Alabama, Pearson Education, Insight Card Service

9 STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICTS vii

10 Alabama Teacher of the Year INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS TO THE ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION The application form for the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program incorporates portions of the National Teacher of the Year Program application form. Materials submitted must follow the instructions below and within the application form. 1. Each completed application, when submitted to the State Department of Education, should contain the following: (1) Criteria for Selection sheet (score sheet) with the first three items completed (level, district, and name). (2) Completed application form, including letters of support. 2. Nominees for Alabama Teacher of the Year must be nominated on the application form contained in or retyped totally from this booklet. The form may be photocopied. If the application is typed on pages other than the application form itself, the exact spacing and wording of each item of the application form must be used, including the wording regarding the number of pages for each item. Answers should not exceed the number of pages designated. Type size should be no smaller than 10 point. Submit only the completed application, not the booklet pages of explanation. Applications should be neat and legible. Do not staple. 3. Provide all information requested in the application form and follow directions. 4. Carefully check applications for neatness and legibility and typographical, grammatical, and spelling errors. Judges really take note of such errors!! 5. The nominee, the school principal, and the superintendent must sign in the appropriate spaces on pages 1 and 2. The state coordinator of the program will sign each application after it is submitted. 6. No materials will be returned to nominees. 7. Deadline: All school system nominees applications must be submitted to the Alabama State Department of Education by January 29, Applications must be hand-delivered or postmarked by that date. Late applications will not be considered. viii

11 Criteria for Judging the Alabama Teacher of the Year Candidates Level: (circle one) Elementary Secondary State Board of Education District Teacher s Name For Judges Use Categories Scoring Education History Presentations (attending and presenting) Continuing Education (including advanced degrees and national board certification) Awards (including being published and receiving grants) Professional biography Evidence of a story Clearly delineates reason(s) for becoming a teacher Community Involvement Describes involvement Presence of activities outside school and family Philosophy of Teaching Provides clear description of teaching philosophy and includes evidence of outstanding teaching qualities Clearly indicates how beliefs are demonstrated in teaching style Education Issues and Trends Lists more than one issue Develops and describes one issue Has a story to tell Alabama Teacher of the Year Message is presented in a coherent and convincing manner Addresses relevant issues for the teaching profession letters of Support Good balance of letters (e.g., parent/student, administrator, colleague) Clearly explains and gives examples of exceptionality Criteria Measurements Total Points Exemplary (4) Goes above and beyond; is at the highest level. For example, in Education Issues and Trends: Uses research with multiple sources, has well-reasoned solution, issue is timely and significant. Very Good (3) Outstanding. For example, in Professional Biography: Tells a compelling, personal, and catchy story. Average (2) Sufficient. For example, in Education History: Attended conferences, but didn t play leadership role in presenting; has minimal education requirements, but has not pursued advanced courses and degree in past 5-10 years. Does Not Meet Standard (1) No evidence or incorrect information provided. ix

12 Alabama Teacher of the Year County/City School System Application Form I. General Information/Signatures Nominee Name Home Address City State Zip Code Telephone Electronic Mail Address(es) Fax Number School Name School Address City State Zip Code Telephone School Profile (Check one): Urban Suburban Rural Major Subject Area (if any) Grade Level Total Years of Teaching Experience Years in Present Position I hereby give my permission that any or all of the attached materials (other than home address and telephone number) may be shared with persons interested in promoting the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program. I also acknowledge that if selected as the Alabama Teacher of the Year I will be released from classroom responsibilities during the year of my recognition in order to fulfill the obligations inherent in the honor. Signature of Nominee Date 1

13 (Section I. continued General Information/Signatures) SCHOOl/buIlDING PRINCIPAl Name Title School Name School Address City State Zip Code Telephone Electronic Mail Address Fax I hereby acknowledge that the nominee submits this application with my approval and that if the nominee is selected as the Alabama Teacher of the Year he/she may need to be released from classroom responsibilities during the school year, and I agree to accommodate his/her release if necessary. I further acknowledge that if the nominee is selected as the 2015 National Teacher of the Year he/she will be released from classroom responsibilities during the year of recognition. Signature of School Principal Date SCHOOl DISTRICT SuPERINTENDENT Name Title Business Address City State Zip Code Telephone Electronic Mail Address Fax I hereby acknowledge that the nominee submits this application with my approval and that if the nominee is selected as the Alabama Teacher of the Year he or she may need to be released from classroom responsibilities during the school year, and I agree to accommodate his/her release if necessary. I further acknowledge that if the nominee is selected as the 2015 National Teacher of the Year he/she will be released from classroom responsibilities during the year of recognition. Signature of District Superintendent Date STATE EDuCATION AGENCY TEACHER Of THE YEAR COORDINATOR Name Agency Ann Starks Alabama State Department of Education Address P.O. Box Montgomery AL ( 334 ) City astarks@alsde.edu State Zip Code Telephone ( 334 ) Electronic Mail Address Fax Signature of Coordinator Date 2

14 II. Educational History and Professional Development Activities (two double-spaced pages) A. beginning with most recent, list colleges and universities attended including post-graduate studies. Indicate degrees earned and dates of attendance. B. beginning with most recent, list teaching employment history indicating time period, grade level, and subject area. C. beginning with most recent, list professional association memberships including information regarding offices held and other relevant activities. D. beginning with most recent, list staff development leadership activity and leadership activity in the training of future teachers. E. beginning with the most recent, list awards and other recognition of your teaching. 3

15 (Section II continued Educational History and Professional Development Activities) 5

16 III. Professional biography (two double-spaced pages) What were the factors that influenced you to become a teacher? Describe what you consider to be your greatest contributions and accomplishments in education. 7

17 (Section III continued Professional biography) 9

18 IV. Community Involvement (one double-spaced page) Describe your commitment to your community through service-oriented activities such as volunteer work, civic responsibilities, and other group activities. 11

19 V. Philosophy of Teaching (two double-spaced pages) A. Describe your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching, including your own ideas of what makes you an outstanding teacher. Describe the rewards you find in teaching. B. How are your beliefs about teaching demonstrated in your personal teaching style? 13

20 (Section V continued Philosophy of Teaching) 15

21 VI. Education Issues and Trends (two double-spaced pages) What do you consider to be the major public education issues today? Address one in depth, outlining possible causes, effects, and resolutions. 17

22 (Section VI continued Education Issues and Trends) 19

23 VII. Alabama Teacher of the Year - (one double-spaced page) As the 2014 Alabama Teacher of the Year, you would serve as an Ambassador for the entire teaching profession. What would be your message? What would you communicate to your profession and to the general public? 21

24 VIII. letters of Support Include three letters of support from any of the following: superintendent, principal, administrator, colleague, student/former student, parent, or civic leader. Identify each letter s author (for example, Jane Smith, Former Student ). 23

25 Alabama State Department of Education, Thomas R. Bice, Ed.D., State Superintendent of Education August 2013 The Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, sex, religion, national origin, or age in its programs, activities, or employment and provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person is responsible for handling inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, Alabama State Department of Education, P.O. Box , Montgomery, AL , telephone (334)