Committee on Teachers Assigned to Suitable Professional Capacity: First Meeting
Per membership resolution, the first meeting of the committee to support teachers assigned in a suitable professional capacity will take place next Tuesday, April 4 from 4-6 PM at the BTU. The committee will work to further understand the specific issues faced by permanent teachers who the School Department refuses to assign to a position, and to create resources for building representatives to support these teachers. This meeting is open to all members. RSVP here or contact Paul with questions or for more info.
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.
Calderwood Fellowship in Writing Instruction: July 2017 to June 2018
In partnership with UMASS/Boston, this summer the Calderwood Writing Initiative will offer a two-part graduate level course on the teaching of writing. The course is open to teachers of all grade levels, in all subject areas, and from public, parochial and independent schools. The only requirement is a desire to explore methods of writing instruction. Each participant will receive a $1,000 stipend and tuition for six graduate credits upon successful completion of this program. Applications are due by April 21. See the flyer for more information.
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.
Social Emotional Learning and Wellness
- SEL Forum: March 28: This forum is a great opportunity for schools and partners to share their best practices on Social Emotional Learning
- Stress Management Workshop Series: A five-part series on understanding the effects of stress on teachers, students and teaching and learning.
Observation and Feedback Course (Academic Ladder Credit)
In this 15-hour course, participants learn how to write up feedback on observations and have post-observation conversations with teachers. The course is focused on supporting teachers’ growth through observing them and giving them feedback that will help them improve their practice. Dates: March 30, May 11, and June 1 from 8 AM to 2 PM (three Thursdays). Register on My Learning Plan.
2017 Leventhal Map Center Teacher Fellowships
Would you like to spend a few weeks this summer surrounded by some very beautiful, old maps? How about hanging out with the Leventhal Map Center lively staff and other educators, creating teaching materials AND getting paid for it? The center is currently accepting applications for two teacher fellows who will create curriculum materials using digitized maps and documents from the 17th and 18th centuries from the collections of the Leventhal Map Center and Boston Public Library. They are especially encouraging Boston Public School Teachers to apply. Each fellow will be paid a stipend of $2,500. Read more and apply. The application deadline is Friday, April 28.
Thinking Through Art: New for the 2017-18 school year!
Join teachers from across Boston in a year-long course at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, empowering you and your students to practice critical thinking and communication skills through visual art. Find out more information.