Sunday, March 4, 2012, 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Grand Ballroom

Roundtable discussions offer an interactive venue for the exploration of key issues facing teacher education. They allow for small group discussions and informal conversations that are often not possible in large group settings. Connect with other attendees, discuss, and share your views, experiences, and ideas. Multiple roundtables are scheduled simultaneously in the same room; each roundtable will have a different focus.

Table 1 - Early Childhood Education and the Role of Community Colleges

Discuss recent trends in Early Childhood Education (ECE) such as dividing into birth to age 3 and/or age 3 to 3rd grade, combining ECE and teacher education, removing ECE from teacher education, or lack of degree pathways for ECE professionals.

Moderators: Jerry Pinsel, Louisiana Community and Technical College System; Sarah Church, Hostos Community College

Table 2 - Field Experience for Future Educators

Service learning is a beneficial component of an effective teacher education program. Share experiences, ideas, and syllabi on developing engaging and innovative programs; and experiences on valuing partners.

Moderators: Mary Braselton, Midland College; Irene Den Bleyker, University of New Mexico, Gallup Campus

Table 3 - Students as Leaders

Share how your college is engaging students to become leaders in the classroom and/or student organizations. Discuss how you engage students and evaluate the programs to be sure they meet students need to be engaging professionals.

Moderators: Robert Lombrana, Jackson Community College; Scott Phillips, Mesa Community College

Table 4 - Political Winds of Teacher Education

Daily news headlines highlight the current "need" to help school leaders, states, and teacher preparation programs meet the urgent mission of elevating and improving teacher preparation programs throughout America. As teacher educators, what can we do to promote the role of community colleges?

Moderators: Mary Belknap, Jackson Community College, Cindy Kelley, West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Table 5 - Open Source Technology for Education

In today's increasingly technology-driven society, educators must provide a technology foundation for the nation's future teachers. Share and learn about resources for open source (free) technology available for educators.

Moderators: Tawn Hauptli, Mesa Community College

Table 6 - Teacher Certification - Alternative Certification - Post-Baccalaureate

Learn about successful post baccualtorate and alternative certifications programs, what barriers they faced and how they overcame them.

Moderators: Janet Johnson and Kim Tobey, Rio Salado College

Table 7 - Pathways and Partnerships

Share experiences, ideas, and frustrations about how your college has articulated coursework and degrees, and developed pathways and partnerships with four-year institutions.

Moderators: Sara Villegas, Regis University College for Professional Studies