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April 2008 "Just for Teachers" Newsletter

Message from DOE Teacher Liaison, Nicole Flesvig

With state testing time behind us, students and teachers now find themselves in the home stretch as the school year begins winding to a close, but this doesn’t mean that things are slowing down. To the contrary, it means that students and teachers are as busy as ever preparing for end-of-year assessments and events. Upcoming statewide events include: Community College Month in April and Teacher Appreciation Week in May, to name a few. To share news and photos of special events at your school, send an e-mail to .

On TV

Teacher Talk: An Inside Look at Florida Education
The latest installment of "Teacher Talk" is currently airing on the Florida Education Channel. This month’s program features a discussion with Florida Community Colleges Chancellor Will Holcombe about the important role that Florida’s community colleges play in educating Florida students from sixth grade through college. The program also focuses on the College Reach Out Program (CROP), the "Go Higher, Get Accepted" campaign, and National Community College Month. The show is also broadcast on PBS (courtesy of the Florida Knowledge Network), and on local district education channels. Check your local listings for broadcast times.

Check Florida Education Channel broadcast times or watch the show online.

News

College Reach-Out Program Celebrates 25th Anniversary
The College Reach-Out Program (CROP) is celebrating 25 years of accomplishments in helping thousands of Florida’s economically disadvantaged and underrepresented students attain personal and academic success. Since its inception in 1983, the program has helped more than 100,000 students through increased access to positive role models, rigorous and challenging coursework, college bus tours, on-campus summer residential programs, up-to-date training materials and tutoring from board certified instructors. The program frequently enrolls middle school students to help prepare them early for future success in college.

According to the latest comparisons of CROP students and non-CROP students of similar backgrounds, CROP students:

  • achieve higher academic performance in high school
  • take more advanced and rigorous courses
  • are more likely to graduate high school
  • have higher percentages of college enrollment
  • are more successful in college

Learn more about CROP.

Community College Month
April is National Community College Month, and Florida’s community colleges are celebrating more than 50 years of innovations, achievements, and success. Community colleges are an economic driver and a primary source for educating and preparing Florida’s workforce. To raise awareness about the critical role community colleges play in Florida’s education system and economy, the Division of Community Colleges is leading a statewide campaign promoting Community College Month. Throughout the month of April, Florida will be highlighting the accomplishments of community college students, faculty and alumni. For more information on Community College Month, visit http://www.fldoe.org/cc/.

Spotlight Teacher

David Dickerson, U.B. Kinsey/Palm View Elementary School of the Arts
From a family of teachers himself, fifth grade teacher David Dickerson believes that teaching is one of the most powerful and rewarding jobs in the world. A teacher with 13 years of experience, David views education as an opportunity to enrich countless students who share their courage, enthusiasm, talent, humor, and sheer joy for learning with him on a daily basis. Seeking to create active, rather than passive members of society, David became a teacher to become part of a process in which students learn that they do not have to accept the world as it is, that their futures are their own to determine, and that everyone can contribute to making the world a better place. Because David believes that the community can and should play a role in the development of good citizens, he created the "UBK Social Club" aimed at providing third through fifth-grade boys with the motivation and tools to become productive, responsible, successful young men. With activities such as "the positive word of the week" David provides students with strategies for utilizing each week’s "positive word" in school, life, and the community. Students have been exposed to a diverse group of community role models, meeting weekly with community members who share their career and life experiences with the students. In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of field trips, including athletic and cultural events. In February, Governor Charlie Crist recognized David Dickerson for his dedication to his students by honoring him as one of three Black History Month Excellence in Education Award winners.

To recommend a "spotlight teacher" for an upcoming "Just for Teachers" newsletter, contact .

Resources

Florida Department of Education Launches New Web Site
The Florida Department of Education recently unveiled its new Web site. The redesigned site offers portals for students, educators, administrators and staff, families and communities. The site features the same useful information but offers a fresh look and feel that is more relevant and focused for its users. Based on user input, the site also provides subject headings relating to public schools, colleges, workforce education and testing, to name a few. Other tools include an enhanced Google search and frequently asked questions for the many services offered by the Department. To view the site or to offer your comments and feedback, go to http://www.fldoe.org. Looking for "Just for Teachers" on the new DOE Web site? From the DOE homepage, select "Educators" and then "Just for Teachers."

The Florida Learning Network: Free Virtual Tutoring for Students
The Florida Learning Network provides students homework help when they need it. Whether students are struggling with subject-related concepts or need assistance with weak skill areas, tutors are available through the convenience of the Internet. Students can connect with a tutor from home, after-school programs, and the library—anywhere there is an Internet connection. Florida Learning Network is a collection of online resources for students in grades K-12. Tutoring and guidance in accordance with Sunshine State Standards is provided for mathematics, science, reading, and social studies at no cost.

Florida Learning Network provides students with these resources:

  • Real-time, online tutoring through an electronic whiteboard provided by trained tutors.
  • Searchable educational content designed to assist with homework and projects.
  • Monitored bulletin board with educational content provided by students, mentors, parents, and teachers.
  • Links to select educational Web sites.

To access the Florida Learning Network, visit http://www.fllearningnetwork.com.

The Florida Tutor Network is a similarly designed site with the same features and is offered by the Florida Department of Education to students attending schools in the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC), North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC), and Heartland Educational Consortium. To access the Florida Tutor Network, visit http://www.fltutornetwork.com.

Archived "Just for Teachers" Newsletters
Looking for information from a previous "Just for Teachers" e-mail newsletter? Not to worry! All previous issues are archived for easy access online.

Visit the "Just for Teachers" Newsletter Archives.

Contests and Awards

Tobacco Free Florida Campaign Sponsors YouCare Video Contest
The Tobacco Free Florida Campaign, an initiative of the Florida Department of Health, is sponsoring the YouCare video contest open to residents of Florida age 15 and older. Students have the opportunity to win prizes by submitting a short video of two minutes or less about why they don’t smoke. The contest allows YouTube users to vote for their favorite submission. The top 50 videos will be shown on the only statewide On-Demand channel devoted exclusively to the campaign, reaching more than two million Comcast and Bright House Networks Digital Cable subscribers. The grand prize winner, will receive an Apple iMac® computer and an iPod® Touch. Nine runners-up will receive an iPod® Touch. Teachers are also encouraged to share contest information with their students. The contest ends May 5.

Access more information about the YouCare contest.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in K-6 Mathematics and Science Teaching
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. The awards recognize highly-qualified K-12 teachers for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. Since 1983, more than 3,700 outstanding teachers have been recognized for their contributions to mathematics and science education. If you know great teachers, nominate them to join this prestigious network of professionals. Nominations for teachers of grades K-6 are being accepted online and should be submitted as soon as possible. Teachers who are nominated must complete an online application. Applications are due May 1, 2008.

Access additional information on the award and nominate an outstanding teacher.

If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Florida’s state coordinators:

  • VieVie Baird Florida Department of Education
    325 West Gaines Street
    Suite 501A
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
    Email:
    Phone: 850-245-0758
    Fax: 850-245-0901
    Areas of Expertise:
    • K-6 Science
    • 7-12 Science

  • Robert Schoen Florida Department of Education
    325 West Gaines Street
    Suite 501A
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
    Email:
    Phone: 850-245-5143
    Fax: 850-245-0901
    Areas of Expertise:
    • K-6 Mathematics
    • 7-12 Mathematics

Conferences

"Just for Teachers" Conference Calendar
Don’t forget that there are some great conferences taking place now through summer and into fall.

Visit the "Conferences" page of the "Just for Teachers" Web site.

Did You Know?

Florida is celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week May 5-9, 2008. Ask your students to honor that special teacher in their lives during this week in their own unique way. Look for a special edition of the "Just for Teachers" newsletter and special events honoring Florida’s teachers.