Urban Improv 25th Anniversary: Looking for Former Students & Teachers!
A message from Urban Improv:
Dear BPS Teachers: Greetings from Urban Improv here in Boston. As you may know, Urban Improv offers workshops and assemblies to BPS focused on youth development, violence prevention, and the real-life challenges and choices effecting our youth and our communities. Urban Improv started 25 years ago, working first with the Farragut and Tobin schools. Since then, we have worked with numerous Boston schools, community groups and tens of thousands of students. Were you one of them? In preparation for celebrating our 25th(!) Anniversary, we are looking to connect with former Urban Improv students and/or classroom teachers to learn of your experiences with us, your memories of the program, and the impact it has had on your lives. We are eager to hear from you! With appreciation for all you do,
Cissa Campion, Managing Director.
Creating a Classroom of Experts: Opportunity to Earn Credit for Lane Advancement
Are all of your students reading, writing, speaking, and reasoning like mathematicians, scientists, historians, artists, and authors in culturally relevant ways? Join us on Saturday, January 28 at the Frederick for “Creating a Classroom of Experts: Strategies for Writing and Talking in the Content Areas.” Read more. Sign up on MyLearningPlan! There are two ways to participate in the conference:
- Option 1: Attend the conference only. Spend a day learning with and from colleagues, district leaders, and national presenters.
- Option 2: Attend the conference and extend your learning by enrolling in one of the connected courses. Connected courses will allow educators to deepen their knowledge and skills around disciplinary literacy and to access support for implementation. Educators who choose this option and successfully complete the course are eligible for one Academic Ladder Credit (ALC).
What is an Academic Ladder Credit (ALC)? The learning opportunities at this conference represent an important milestone for the BTU-BPS collaboration in professional learning. It is the first time that Academic Ladder Credits (equal in value to in-service credits with no cap on the amount one can earn) are being made widely available. With ALCs, you can earn credits in less “seat-time” (12 hours per credit instead of 15), but each ALC course requires submission of a final product demonstrating that you have implemented a specific instructional practice in your classroom. More information coming soon. Contact Paul with questions.
Help Wanted: Google-Proficient Educators to Lead PD for Colleagues
The BTU is planning a return of the hugely popular Getting Started With Google Drive PD series. We are in search of members who feel very confident in their use of Google apps to lead these sessions. Leaders will earn the contractual hourly rate for facilitating the 10-hour course and for prep time. Interested facilitators must be available to attend a two-hour train the trainer workshop on Monday, December 19 at the BTU. If interested, please contact Nick Gonzales ASAP.
Design Your Own Transformative PD: Fund for Teachers Applications Now Open
The BTU is a proud local partner of Fund for Teachers, a national organization dedicated to enriching the personal and professional growth of teachers. Applications are now open for this year’s cycle. Teachers may apply for grants of $5000 (individuals) or $10,000 (teams) to design a professional learning experiences that inspire and sustain them as people and professionals. More information sessions will be scheduled soon. If you have questions or would like support with your application, email Paul.