Message From The President

Dear Members:

Wow! What a semester I've had as NACCTEP's new President!

In November, I traveled to Washington D.C. for a series of meetings representing NACCTEP as an Affiliate Council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).  First, there was a meeting of the Council of Affiliated Councils (COAC) on November 10th. The group was joined by both George Boggs, retiring AACC President, and Walter Bumphus, AACC in-coming President. The two remarked how COAC has come a long way from when it was first convened to the well-organized, formalized network of today. READ MORE

Director's Note

Dear NACCTEP Members:

The Making Waves in Community College Teacher Education Programs national conference is fast approaching. NACCTEP staff members and the Executive Board are diligently planning an engaging and innovative conference for you. Based on comments and evaluations, adjustments have been made to this year's conference schedule. READ MORE

Reflections of a First Year Teacher – Parts 2 & 3

Melissa Rose Nelson, a former National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs Scholarship recipient, has agreed to write a series of articles for this year's Newsletter documenting her experiences as a first year teacher. This edition contains Part 2, a look at her first quarter as a new teacher, and Part 3, her reflections on the realization that she must balance her professional and personal life. (See her first article in the September 2010 edition.) READ MORE

Community colleges provide phenomenal opportunities for students to earn course credit during condensed periods of time. In Fort Worth, Texas, Tarrant County College's education department at the South Campus has offered Maymester and Wintermester offerings for the TECA 1354 Child and Adolescent Growth and Development course over the past year. During the college's scheduled breaks after the fall and spring semesters, students enrolled in this state-required education course have the ability to earn three hours of college course credit in as few as nine class days. These courses are beginning to gain popularity among both students and faculty. READ MORE

"Tawn, I think you should submit a letter of intent to run for Member at Large on the NACCTEP Executive Board!" - By Tawn Hauptli, Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ

Our Gifts to Each of YOU! - By Mary C. Belknap, Jackson Community College, Jackson MI

Waiting for Me - By Jenny Rosado, Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ

Jenny Rosado is an elementary education major at Mesa Community College. She is Co-President of the Future Educators Club, and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She was one of a few students selected to attend the Maricopa Community Colleges District Leadership Retreat in the fall of 2010. She will attend Northern Arizona University East Valley in fall of 2011, majoring in the dual program Special and Elementary Education. In addition to her studies, Jenny works 40 plus hours a week.

I have wanted to be a teacher as long as I can remember. I am currently attending Mesa Community College (MCC) and I am taking the necessary course-work to receive an Associate in Arts in Elementary Education. MCC has an outstanding Education Studies Department. I have had inspiring professors who have excited me about my career path. I have completed service learning with amazing K-12 teachers who have left me in awe of their dedication to their students and their creativity in the classroom. Based on my studies and experience in the classroom, I can hardly wait until it is my turn to teach. READ MORE

Hinds Community College - Utica Campus
- By Sophia S.L. Marshall, Hinds Community College, Jackson, MS

Two dollars, a dollar pocket watch, a profound purpose and a courageous dream: these were ingredients used to start a profound and substantive community of higher learning. These were all the assets of William H. Holtzclaw, author of The Black Man's Burden and founder of what is now Hinds Community College - Utica Campus, when he started Utica Normal and Industrial Institute for the Training of Colored Young Men and Women. In 1903, the school's purpose was to train Negroes to read, write, compute, and develop their farmland. READ MORE

On September 29, Carole Berotte Joseph, Past President; Ray Ostos, Executive Director; and Pamela Asti, Executive Assistant; conducted the NACCTEP annual advocacy visits on Capitol Hill. The delegation disseminated information about all of the great work the membership continues to do in early childhood and teacher education at community colleges. The role of two-year colleges in teacher education trough 2+2 agreements, professional development, and alternate certification were all highlighted during the conversations. The group was able to meet with Senator Scott Brown from Massachusetts and his Legislative Assistant, Daniel Diorio. They also met with Michael Ferrari, Senior Legislative Assistant/Counsel for Representative John Tierney from Massachusetts Sixth District and Lisa Salerno, Legislative Aide for Representative James McGovern form Massachusetts Third District. Discussions were held on the important role of community colleges in teacher education. READ MORE

SnagFilms is dedicated to bringing high quality, award-winning documentaries to an online audience around the world — all for free. Recently developed SnagLearning is a new version of the site that caters to teachers, parents, and students.

SnagLearning features carefully selected films from SnagFilms' library of over 1,600 documentaries that are appropriate for students from middle school and up. The titles cover nearly every classroom subject and many are produced by well-known educational sources, including PBS and National Geographic. The goal of this site is to highlight documentaries that make for engaging educational tools. Guest teacher bloggers will be featured as well as special programming such as Q&As with the filmmakers.

Teachers are encouraged to submit and share their own lesson plans, quizzes, and homework ideas with fellow educators. The commenting area on each film page functions as public forum to share and discuss.

Click here to visit this site.

Conference Registration Open

Join us for the 2011 NACCTEP national conference, Making Waves in Community College Teacher Education Programs. Making Waves offers exceptional opportunities for learning, sharing, and networking. The Breakfast Session will enlighten and inspire, while the Friday Forums, breakout sessions, and Roundtable Discussions will offer fresh insights and a chance to spend time with fellow educators and administrators. In addition, the Sunday Student Panel will provide a student perspective.

The registration rates for the 2011 national conference have not increased and a new student rate was added! Click here to register today. We look forward to working with you in San Diego!

The NACCTEP Executive Board has identified the need for membership assistance in the areas of member recruitment and retention. The need arose from member comments from states that lacked Board member representation. The Board discussed the issue at length and explored possible solutions at the annual Board meeting as well as the 2010 conference in Baltimore, Maryland. READ MORE

The goal of this scholarship program is to provide graduates with a smooth transition between the two-year teacher education associate's degree programs and finishing their bachelor's degree online. As part of the program, WGU will provide both graduates and staff members of a NACCTEP member institution the following benefits:

• An application fee waiver (a $65 savings).
• Eligibility to apply for the WGU NACCTEP Teacher Education Scholarship - WGU has agreed to fund 20 annual scholarships, each valued up to $2,000, which are disbursed at $500 per six-month term for up to four terms.
• This scholarship is available only for graduates and staff members who want to earn one of WGU's teaching degrees.

Details can be found by clicking here.