2017 AFT TEACH Applications Now Open!!!
AFT TEACH, our union’s national professional learning conference, is a chance for teachers from across the country to get together and learn about professional issues, policy challenges, and classroom strategies. This year’s conference will be held from July 20-22 in Washington, DC. The BTU sends members to TEACH each year, and priority is given to members who have not attended in the past. If you would like to attend, please apply at bit.ly/TEACH2017. The deadline to apply is March 12.
RESCHEDULED!! BTU Lesson Planning Lab: UDL this Thursday
Need a little help with lesson planning, or just want to collaborate with colleagues to share ideas? Join us for the second of two BTU Lesson Planning Labs led by our team of Peer Assistants and Consulting Teachers this Thursday, March 16 from 3-6 PM for Incorporating UDL into Your Planning. This is a drop-in session with a focus on secondary from 3-5 PM and elementary from 4-6 PM with a brief presentation and individualized support. Bring a lesson or unit plan you’d like to work on. Register on My Learning Plan.
Boston Writing Project Summer Institute
This summer, the Boston Writing Project at UMass Boston will offer a two-week summer institute in which educators can explore themes of race, culture, identity, and language in their own lives and in the teaching of writing. The institute will create a safe space for teachers to explore ideas and share experiences around these themes that are central to navigating the climate of change in our educational system. Each participant will receive a stipend of $500. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to earn three graduate credits from the College of Education and Human Development at UMass Boston, tuition free (university fees, however, will apply). For more information or a link to the application please visit the Boston Writing Project website or email dominique_herard@psbma.org.
Licensure Workshops for Paras Interested in Teaching
The BTU is sponsoring professional development workshops for non-licensed paraprofessionals and substitute teachers who aspire to become provisional teachers. The workshops will cover MTEL prep and teacher licensure. Both workshops will be held at the BTU offices:
- MTEL Prep Info: Thursday, March 30 from 4-6 PM. This session will focus on testing requirements for licenses, MTEL prep resources, and test preparation strategies.
- Teacher Licensure Workshop: Thursday, April 6 from 4-6 PM. This session will cover licensure types, the process for applying and reviewing licensure applications, and BPS licensure pathways programs.
RSVP here or by calling the BTU Office at 617-288-2000.
BPS Online Mentoring (BPSOM) for Provisional Teachers
All provisional teachers must fulfill the 50 Hour Requirement for Professional Licensure. Beyond your first year of induction support, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires that you receive an additional 50 hours of mentoring in your 2nd/3rd years of teaching to be eligible for your professional teaching license. BPSOM provides that required support. Session 1 of BPS Online Mentoring (BPSOM) has been posted on My Learning Plan. There are three posted BPSOM Session 1 Sections (K0-1st, 2nd-5th, and MS/HS). Please sign up for the one that corresponds to the grade-level you teach. Here are two possible ways to log on to My Learning Plan. If you still cannot register and would like to attend, please contact Ailis Kiernan at NTDprogram@bostonpublicschools.org.