Facilities and Resources | Teacher Leaders Network

Facilitating Conversations with Youth

Publication Type:

Web Article

Authors:

Various

Year of Publication:

2007

URL:

http://www.mindohfoundation.org/hurricanekatrina.htm

Abstract:

The MindOH! Foundation "empowers youth to achieve their full potential through innovative character education programs that inspire moral and ethical bahavior." In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, MindOH! has created several resources that can help young people "explore the good that can come from a bad situation, and to encourage them to be courageous in the face of a disaster." You'll find lesson plans, journaling ideas, a model interview format that students can use to interact with adult mentors, and tips for meaningful conversations with kids.

Retrieved June 2, 2008 from http://www.mindohfoundation.org/hurricanekatrina.htm

World Education Database

Resource Keywords:
Facilities and Resources

Publication Type:

Miscellaneous

Authors:

Various

Year of Publication:

2006

URL:

http://www.world-education-database.org/

Abstract:

The world school database is designed to offer educators, administrators and schools a single source to locate and disseminate educational material globally. Over 206,000 schools are currently listed. Most have level, address, website, email, phone, fax and principal (if available). The actual lists of schools is available for use by educators who can satisfy the site's management team about their intent. See the "About" page for more information about accessing the database. Great for developing cross-school online projects!

Comparing Education and 6 Other Fields

Resource Keywords:
Facilities and Resources

Publication Type:

Web Article

Authors:

Various

Year of Publication:

2005

URL:

http://www.financeproject.org/index.cfm?page=22

Abstract:

In recent years, the heightened attention to teacher quality and pressure to improve achievement has left educators facing a myriad of challenges. Many believe that traditional teacher preparation and in-service training have failed to produce the level of quality demanded by the new educational environment. This new report from The Finance Project compares professional development in education -- both pre-service preparation and in-service training -- to six other professions: law, accounting, architecture, nursing, firefighting, and law enforcement. The analysis highlights several striking differences between education and the other professions. For example: Education is alone among the comparison fields in its lack of universally accepted standards for required in-service training and the identification of a single entity to enforce those standards. Also, education stands alone in allowing professionals to practice independently before they are licensed. Clinical experiences and induction programs in education are less structured and less consistently supervised than those of some other fields. And the list goes on. ( 600k PDF file)

Taking a Closer Look: A Guide to Online Resources on Family Involvement

Publication Type:

Web Article

Authors:

Various

Year of Publication:

2006

URL:

http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/resources/guide/

Abstract:

Have you ever sat down to find information about family involvement in children's education on the Internet and felt overwhelmed by all the information that's out there? The Harvard Family Research Project may have a solution. "Taking a Closer Look," a new downloadable guide, contains Web links to research, information, programs, and tools about parenting practices to support children's learning and development, home-school relationships, parent leadership development, and collective engagement for school improvement and reform. The 50-page resource guide can be used to find out what's new in the field, locate national organizations that support family involvement, and inspire new ideas.

Harvard Family Research Project (2006). Taking a closer look: A guide to online resources on family involvement. Retrieved from the Harvard Graduate School of Education 12 May 2008. http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/projects/fine/resources/guide/

Mentorship Tool Kit (Free)

Publication Type:

Web Article

Authors:

http://www.mentoring.org/find_resources/

Year of Publication:

2008

URL:

http://www.mentoring.org/find_resources/

Abstract:

Mentor, a website dedicated to "expanding the world of quality mentoring," has just released a comprehensive tool kit that offers step-by-step instructions to implement key four components of effective mentoring practice. "For more than a decade, we have been leading the movement to connect America's young people with caring adult mentors," says the Foreword. "We serve as the mentor's mentor." Components include: Program Design and Planning; Program Management; Program Operations; and Program Evaluation. It also contains a CD with more than 160 tools and templates that mentoring programs can customize to suit their individual program needs. Programs can use these checklists to see how well they are progressing in implementing the components. Organizations can download the tool kit for free.

This page lists resources. The main page for one tool kit has been divided into several components.

Getting Rubrics Right

Publication Type:

Web Article

Authors:

Various

Year of Publication:

2000

URL:

http://www.relearning.org/resources/PDF/rubric_sampler.pdf

Abstract:

Our TLN discussion group has been talking about grading for most of the summer. The subject of rubrics has come up more than once, and several TLN'ers have noted that rubrics come in all shapes, sizes and levels of quality. So we went hunting for resources that might help teachers and other instructional leaders think more deeply about "getting rubrics right." We found an interesting discussion at Grant Wiggins' Relearning by Design website. It's a rubrics sampler bolstered by thoughtful commentary. Follow the link above to download the 250k PDF file. We also recommend this article and the associated links: http://www.middleweb.com/rubricsHG.html

Stories and the Teaching Life

Resource Keywords:
Facilities and Resources

Publication Type:

Web Article

Authors:

Tim Gillespie

Year of Publication:

2001

URL:

http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/234

Abstract:

In "Stories and the Teaching Life," teacher Tim Gillespie recounts the ties between daily writing in his teacher's notebook and his personal and professional need to avoid narratives about teaching that focus on "abstraction, heroism, and complaint." Such narratives, he notes, "have a lot of power in the public sphere. So when I do my own teacher research, when I write in my notebook, and then when I tell and share my classroom stories publicly, I hope I'm doing a little bit to make the story of education in the civic arena slightly more concrete, realistic, and student centered." Gillespie's reflections are a "must" read for any teacher who is weary of the "pernicious power of...negative narratives about teaching." He concludes: "(W)hen I write about my teaching, I'm seeking perspective by keeping my own story of this intense work in all its sorrow and joy, challenge and success. This unvarnished account of my work helps keep me going as a teacher, the habit of writing having become a small ceremony of gratitude for a life of teaching." (National Writing Project website)

Gillespie, T. (2001). Stories and the Teaching Life. The Quarterly 23(4). Retrieved April 30, 2008 from http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/234

Educational Podcasting

Publication Type:

Web Article

Authors:

Gary S. Stager

Year of Publication:

2007

URL:

http://www.stager.org/podcasting.html

Abstract:

This page of resources about podcasting "for educators and students" was assembled by consultant Gary Stager. He writes: "Not since the advent of the World Wide Web has such an easy and exciting communications medium been within reach of the masses. Podcasting offers educators and students remarkable opportunities for their voices to be heard in their local communities or the around world. One could think of podcasting as blogging without writing or as a way for every class to have its own radio station. You have the power to get in on the ground-floor of this new media phenomena and express yourself today." Stager provides all the infomation you need to get started!

Stager, G.S. (2007). Educational podcasting. Retrieved from Stager's website 29 Apr 2008. Link: http://www.stager.org/podcasting.html

What Works: How to Save Public Education

Publication Type:

Web Article

Authors:

Various

Year of Publication:

2005

URL:

http://www.edutopia.org/magazine/jun05

Abstract:

Looking for tools for "overcoming the challenges that face our nation's educational system"? Edutopia, the magazine of the George Lucas Educational Foundation, has pulled together a bunch of "solutions" -- many offered by teachers -- and sorted them into the categories "5 Minutes, 5 Days, 5 Weeks, 5 Months, 5 Years." At 300-500 words per entry, this might be described as "Reform Lite," but there are some cool ideas (see, for example, the mention of TLN's new-teacher mentoring projects in "Ask an Expert"). Print out your favorites and take 'em to the beach!

Edutopia (2005). What works: How to save public education. Edutopia (June 2005). Retrieved from Edutopia 21 Apr 2008. Link: http://www.edutopia.org/magazine/jun05

Promoting Educational Excellence for All Americans

Resource Keywords:
Facilities and Resources

Publication Type:

Web Article

Authors:

US Department of Education

Year of Publication:

2007

URL:

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/fipse/index.html

Abstract:

The deadline for FIPSE grant proposals (Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education) is November 1. FIPSE invites creative proposals in a variety of areas, including improving the preparation of K-12 teachers, and promoting reform of curriculum and instruction. And teacher leadership? Find out more at the U.S. Education Department website.

Citation: (2007). US Department of Education: Promoting Educational Excellence for All Americans. Retrieved June 5, 2007, from US Department of Education. Web site: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/fipse/index.html.