Teacher Leader Guidebook San Diego Unified School District Teacher Preparation and Support Department
Office of Teaching and Learning Teacher Preparation and Support Department EDUCATORS RISING PROGRAM www.sandiegounified.org/educators-rising Dianne Cordero, Director dcordero@sandi.net Amparo R. Armenta, Program Coordinator aromo@sandi.net 858.256.2710 ext. 5342 Housed at Taft Middle School Campus 9191 Gramercy Drive San Diego, CA 92123 2015-2016 Academic Year
Table of Contents Educators Rising Historical Overview 1 About Educators Rising 2 Mission Vision California Needs Teachers High Need Subject Areas What Is Educators Rising? Goals Advantages So You Are the New Teacher Leader 4 Teacher Leader Community Teacher Leader Roles and Responsibilities District Roles and Responsibilities Student Roles and Responsibilities Program and Curricular Resources How to Set Up a Club 6 National and State Affiliation 10
Educators Rising Historical Overview Educators Rising is a nationwide program sponsored by Phi Delta Kappa to encourage high school students to enter the teaching profession. It s the only national precollegiate program designed to support students who are interested teaching as a career path. The Educators Rising brand was launched in August 2015, formerly known as, Future Educators Association, and Future Teachers of America. With lots of input, a new name was selected that recognizes students present impact. Educators Rising is a reinvigorating brand, which more accurately reflects a powerful, passionate network of people committed to developing highly skilled teachers for the 21 st century. California: Founded in 2011 in partnership with Project Tomorrow. California Educators Rising offers trainings and communications, hosts annual state conferences, and fields questions from anyone interested in learning more about the program. San Diego: San Diego Unified School District offers the Education Rising Program districtwide through the Teacher Preparation and Support Department. It helped establish the San Diego Education Fund over 20 years ago. The foundation supports the aims of Educators Rising by providing students with scholarships to local colleges, and mentorship while students complete their teacher preparation program. Once credentialed, the district offers teaching positions to students. Status: Teacher Preparation and Support Department is the originating office for the coordination of the Educations Rising Program. Seven high schools have Educators Rising clubs. Currently, four high schools offer a pathway to teaching through the College, Career & Technical Education (CCTE) program. Activities: To support the mission and vision of the program, various district activities are sponsored in the course of the school year. Club presentation on various topics Annual College Conference Guest Speaker Roster for clubs Visits to local colleges San Diego Ed Fund Scholarship Program support Educators Rising 5K Fun Run/Walk Need: High school teachers willing to serve as teacher leaders to establish an Educator Rising club at their site. In this way, aspiring students can be identified and encouraged to explore careers in education. 1
About Educators Rising Mission Our mission is to encourage students to learn about careers in education while providing meaningful opportunities to receive the mentoring and support they need to actualize their career aspirations. Vision By elevating the image of teaching, Educators Rising will attract dynamic and diverse students who will become tomorrow s great teachers. California Needs Teachers 1/3 of CA teachers are over the age of 50 Enrollment in credential programs has declined over 45% since 2001 230,00 more students will be enrolled in K-12 schools by 2018 Overall number of candidates enrolled in teacher preparation programs declined for the twelfth consecutive year Teacher preparation program enrollment decreased by more than 24,000 Educators Rising is a San Diego Unified School District sponsored program to provide interested students with the opportunity to explore career opportunities in education. Educators Rising Clubs are established at local high schools, with the guidance of teacher leaders. Students gain a realistic understanding of the nature of education and the role of the teacher. candidates in the past five years California will need an additional 100,000 teachers over the next decade Source: California Department of Education; www.ctc.ca.gov High-Need Subject Areas California employs over 300,000 teachers to educate its 6.3 million students. While all the subjects taught in the public schools are important, there is a greater shortage of teachers in particular subjects. Obtaining a teaching credential in one of these fields would help reduce the shortage and may increase employment opportunities: Special Education, Mathematics, and Science. Source: www.teachcalifornia.org 2
Educators Rising supports students interested in education-related careers with activities and materials that help them explore the teaching profession. Students can gain a realistic understanding of the nature of education and the realities of the profession. Students receive support both from like-minded peers and adults knowledgeable in the field of teacher preparation. The Educators Rising is a federally-recognized Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO). Educators Rising enhances the classroom experience for students enrolled in Career, College and Technical Education (CCTE) programs with a pathway to teaching. Students not enrolled in CCTE courses receive a co-curricular component through participation in the school Educators Rising club under the guidance of expert teacher leaders. Educators Rising has a set of well-defined goals. In this case, the goals are structured to guide, inform and assist students in their quest to become teachers. The goals are to: Encourage students to enter the teaching profession Inform students about the steps to becoming a teacher in California Provide support for EDUCATORS RISING members Develop the skills necessary for the profession Take part in school/community activities Explore the field of education and its many career opportunities Identify resources to assist students towards their goal Participate in the national and state organization s EdRising Virtual Campus Educators Rising programs are a powerful and cost-effective way to prepare students for college and careers, and they are a meaningful investment in a community s future teaching workforce. Students who become members of an EDUCATORS RISING club enjoy many advantages that will greatly assist them in learning more about the teaching profession, as well as actually helping them achieve their goal. Some of the advantages are the following: Learn more about the teaching profession Participate in field trips to local colleges Listen to speakers on the teaching profession Attend conferences Receive assistance in entering college Benefit from scholarship opportunities Be a part of a national network of like-minded individuals 3
Teacher Leaders You are to be congratulated on assuming the role of an Educators Rising teacher leader. This is a vital position and can greatly influence students in choosing and continuing along the road to becoming future educators. Our schools are the lifeblood of our country. In them young people are prepared for the future, to be productive citizens and to lead fulfilling lives. The key ingredients in the success of all schools are the teachers. As teachers, our legacy should not only be to do our best to educate the students in our classrooms, but to provide for the future by identifying and nurturing teachers to take our place. You are the students link to the teaching profession. If you love your jobs and show your enthusiasm for what you do, they will have a positive feeling about teaching and may choose to become a teacher too. The Educators Rising Program is one way to achieve this lofty goal. What follows is an outline on beginning and maintaining an active and effective EDUCATORS RISING club. WHY YOU? Because you love teaching Because you are flexible Because you are able to relate well to young people Because you want students to consider teaching as a viable career Because you want to give teaching a good name Because you ve got energy to spare Because you re a positive, can-do person Because it seems like a good idea Because the principal selected you WHY YOU? Because you re good at it, that s why!!! Educators Rising needs teacher leaders who have the time to organize, the will to inspire, the energy to encourage, and the desire to make a difference. 4
Teacher Leader Community The Teacher Preparation and Support Department hosts four Teacher Leader meetings per year to coordinate, plan, and develop a yearly action plan that will effectively meet the goals of the program. Together, district staff and teacher leaders evaluate the program to identify strengths and next steps to ensure we are effectively promoting the educational profession and providing the most effective supports to our aspiring future educators. Additionally, the Teacher Preparation and Support Advisory Board meets annualy to review and provide recommendations for program improvements. Teacher Leader Roles and Responsibilities 1. Attend four scheduled advisory meetings per year 2. Recruit students (minimum of 5 students per club) 3. Organize/Attend weekly/monthly/bimonthly meetings and provide schedule to EDUCATORS RISING Resource Teacher 4. Keep sing-in sheets from club meetings 5. Complete a Yearly Action Plan Form 6. Complete a chapter Membership Survey and Membership Roster 7. Communicate needs to EDUCATORS RISING Lead Contact Teacher 8. Organize and/or support Fundraisers/recruit student participation 9. Recruit/organize students to apply for Scholarships 10. Recruit/organize students to attend College Conference 11. Submit club documentation packet for the year (May) to district office: Membership Roster; Membership Survey; Yearly Action Plan District Roles and Responsibilities 1. Provide public relations for EDUCATORS RISING Program 2. Meet with site administrators 3. Recruit Teacher Leaders and Organize Professional Development 4. Support Teacher Leaders (meetings, organization, recruiting, etc.) 5. Support San Diego Ed Fund Scholarship Program 6. Support students in applying for scholarships 7. Solicit financial support from various agencies Student Roles and Responsibilities 1. Meet the academic criteria standards required by the school for students participating in extracurricular activities 2. Complete an application form 3. Submit a parent/guardian support letter 4. Attend weekly, monthly or bimonthly meetings 5. Participate in the College Workshop, or Conferences as able 6. Participate in fundraising 7. Participate in applying for a scholarships 5
Program and Curricular Resources Through the district website, teacher leaders have access to program supports, calendar of events, and links to local, state, and national resources. Educators Rising offers a national network of teacher leaders consisting of discussion boards, videos, articles, and online curriculum. At the district level, each teacher leader will receive a copy of the text and accompaning workbook Teaching, by Sharleen L. Kato. The text and its accompaning workgook will serve as a curriculum guide for planning discussions and activities for students to explore the would of education. How to Set Up a School Site Club Setting up a club is relatively easy. Sometimes there may already be a group of students who want such a club. At other times a staff member or principal may wish to establish an EDUCATORS RISING club. Here are a few steps to guide you on the way. Get your principal s support! This is extremely important. Not only is the principal the gatekeeper for clubs and activities on the campus, but also having the principal s support can make conducting club activities much easier. A supporting principal can make an organization prosper. Keep your principal informed and involved. Associated Student Body (ASB) Your school site ASB Advisor and/or student ASB Officers may help you with completing the requirements to establish an Educators Rising Club. You can also visit the district website for more. The ASB Handbook is housed in the Office of Secondary Schools: https://www.sandi.net/staff/secondary-schools-office/asb-handbook Develop by-laws Bylaws set the tone for the club; they provide an overall blueprint for its organization, structure and activities, for what can and can not be done. Often they give timelines and rules of conduct. Your school Associated Student Body (ASB) should have sample bylaws templates for clubs. It is a good idea to involve students in the development of the bylaws. In this way, they have a voice in shaping their future and in assuming leadership, but also they will be more ready to accept the provisions of the by-laws. 6
After the bylaws have been developed, they will need to be submitted to the ASB for approval. Their approval should be a matter of routine, unless there is some extraordinary provision in them. In that case, it would be best to present them with an explanation to the ASB. Recruit Students: Besides any students who may have come to you requesting to be in the club, there are many more students in the school who are potential members. The trick is to find ways to reach out to them and bring them into the club. Personal Invitations: You may know students who you think would make fine teachers. Club members may themselves know of friends who have expressed interest in teaching. Extending a personal invitation to these students goes a long way towards encouraging them to join the club. AVID Students: Another great source for recruiting members is through your school s AVID class. Often these students appreciate the meaning and value of education, exhibiting a higher degree of interest in the teaching profession. Counselor Referral: Counselors assist students when they select classes related to their career goals. Working with your counseling department can be a great asset in discovering which students are considering a career in teaching. School Bulletin Announcements: While this may be the least effective way to recruit members, it still has great potential. There may be many students in the school who have an interest in teaching that may otherwise go undiscovered. This may be the only opportunity for them to know about the EDUCATORS RISING club on campus. Child Development and Teaching Career Classes: Many schools have Child Development and Teaching Career classes on campus. Most students take these classes because they like to work with students and are considering a career in teaching. Joining the EDUCATORS RISING club may be the next logical step towards their career goal. Club Fair: Most high schools will host a club fair event day to introduce campus clubs and recruit membership. Educators Rising Pledge As an Educators Rising member, I pledge to promote positive attitudes regarding all aspects of education, to acknowledge the challenging role of the teaching profession, and to provide service and leadership within my school and community. 7
Meeting Time: Your bylaws may indicate how often you meet, as well as when you meet. Given the nature of schools and students, you may need to be flexible. Most advisors have found that having lunch meetings work best. Whether the meetings are during lunch or after school, establishing a routine that is regular is the key to a successful club. Weekly meetings are encouraged. To ensure attendance at the meetings publish meeting announcements through your school student bulletin. Run the announcement for several days in advance of the meeting. You may also want to have officers post fliers around the school. The club could also make posters and place them in classroom windows. Officers: Your bylaws determine what officers your club will have. Some of these positions will be elected; others may be appointed positions. What is important is that officers understand their role, their duties and responsibilities. It is strongly suggested that the officers receive some training as to their roles as indicated in the bylaws. The lifeblood of any club is the range of activities it provides for its members. Generally, club activities are developed in conjunction with the members. While each club will have some activities unique to their members, usually the activities fall into the following categories: Regular meetings College field trips School / Community Service Guest speakers Fundraisers A host of resources are readily available to assist you. Here is a list of major resources that you can draw upon. They are ready and willing to help you. Curriculum Anchor Text: Teaching by Sharleen L. Kato (ISBN 978-1-63126-009-4); and its accompanying workbook, Teaching by Dawn A. Oler (ISBN 978-1-63126-010-0) 8
School site administrators and counseling staff Advisors at other schools California EDUCATORS RISING www.info@educatorsrising.org Teach California www.teachcalifornia.org Cash For College www.californiacashforcollege.org San Diego Education Fund www.sdef.org SOAP www.sandiegocalsoap.com Southern California Teacher Recruitment Center (619-908- 3600) SD Unified Educators Rising Program: Teacher Preparation and Support Department (858-256-2710 ext.5342) at www.sandiegoeducate.com/educators RISING Educators Rising National Organization: www.educatorsrising.org Your club can take advantage of several activities that take place each year. Your district resource person will alert you to the dates of these activities. The activities are sponsored by different organizations, so you can also contact each of them. EDUCATORS RISING Conference sponsored California Educators Rising EDUCATORS RISING 5K Fun Run/Walk College Days Fieldtrips Here are some ideas that your club might wish to adopt for the year. Assist at new student orientation. Offer tutorial services at your school or a nearby school. Participate in community service activities. Assist with PTA activities. Take part in school activities as a club. Participate in an Adopt-A-Student program. Sponsor teacher recognition activities. Hold pizza parties and other social functions. Serve as peer mentors at your school or a nearby school. 9
Assist teachers with filing, classroom organization. Sponsor or participate in school activities. Form linkages with local universities education departments. Make presentations to other classes on the teaching profession. Carry out funding raising activities. Investigate college admission requirements and financial aide. Sponsor a career fair with emphasis on teaching. Establish a scholarship fund for your club. Have your school newspaper do a Educators Rising on your club. National Website Resources Educators Rising National Affiliation: https://www.educatorsrising.org/ California Education Rising: New Charter Starter Kit and Co-sponsor of the annual Tomorrow s Teacher Conference http://www.tomorrow.org/educatorsrising/index.html http://www.teachcalifornia.org/ 10