In honor of Mental Health Month, we're speaking with Dr. Alison Jones of the University of Evansville. Dr. Jones shares her expertise in recognizing and coping with teacher burnout. Born out of her own early career teaching experience, Dr. Jones shares the causes and symptoms of teacher burnout and that it can be contagious. She recommends developing a strong support network and finding simple things outside the classroom that bring one joy and a sense of calmness.

Joyce Milling of Educator Registered Apprenticeship, ERA, Intermediary joins us to share her journey to working with apprentice teachers and how ERA assists states, colleges, and school districts in coming together under the apprenticeship umbrella. With National Apprenticeship Day on April 30th, this timely discussion includes highlights from apprentice teachers as well as advice on how to get involved in an apprenticeship program. During the episode, Milling mentions several resources which are listed below, including a free webinar on April 30th as well as an email address to reach out to with any questions.

1. Light Bulb Effect Video
2. WCPS Apprentice Program Podcast Episode
3. ERA | Events website link already cued up to the webinar registration page
4. educatorapprenticeships@rti.org – email to reach out for technical assistance

In this episode, Dr. Mark LaCelle-Peterson of AAQEP provides an overview of the process and unique characteristics of obtaining accreditation through the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. He is joined by Drs. Jeff Judd and Christina Keaulana of Leeward Community College at the University of Hawai'i who discuss their journey through the accreditation process.

Together they share how the accreditation process with AAQEP is designed in a supportive cohort style and how the annual report process provides them the opportunities to improve different aspects of their programs each year. Some examples include a mentor teacher training program and expanding the early childhood program to include special education, both funded through grants.

The Association of Teacher Educators has been around since 1920 advocating for and supporting those in the teaching profession. Dr. Judy Beck was President in 2020-2021 and Dr. Rachelle Rogers was President in 2022-2023. Drs. Beck and Rogers share recent initiatives such as the recently created Clinical Practice Standards and the revised Teacher Educator Standards. They also share a new book on Advocacy that should be coming out before their 2025 Summer Conference in St. Louis.

With ATE's upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting in New Orleans just a couple of weeks away, there's still time to register! Beginning with workshops on March 8th and sessions spanning the 9th through 11th, the meeting is sure to have on topic information for teachers and teacher leaders in all levels of the profession.

Also discussed is ATE's Leadership Academy which meets immediately prior to the spring annual meeting and members are nominated. With four areas of focus: Education; Leadership; Culture; and Partnerships, the academy is made up of active involvement experiences rather than a series of presentations.

Dr. Rogers also mentions a resource funded by a National Science Foundation, NSF, grant that four associations have created a website for surrounding repairing the reputation of the teaching profession called Get the Facts Out.

NACCTEP is thrilled to have a chance to talk with the newAACTE President and CEO Dr. Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy as she shares her background and her vision for AACTE ahead of the 2025 AACTE Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California February 21-23, 2025. From her early career as a kindergarten teacher through her teaching and leadership roles at Johns Hopkins and American Universities, Dr. Holcomb-McCoy has and continues to lead the charge to improve and diversify the teaching field.

Join us as Dr. Katie Sam Monnin shares her journey from earning degrees in English literature to teaching middle school students on September 11, 2001 and how that experience influenced her to using graphic novels as modern literature in the classroom. Dr. Monnin has published eight books on the topic, including her first book Teaching Graphic Novels: Practical Strategies for the Secondary ELA Classroom. Listen as she discusses the need to teach to where students are at in time rather than to where educators were in time when they learned about literature.

Join us as Heather DiFede, co-founder of High Quality IEPs shares the importance of including and supporting all parties involved in creating successful Individualized Education Plans, IEPs, for special needs students. Based out of California and funded through a grant, available resources and guidance are based on current legislation surrounding special education and IEPs including both the recent Rowley and Endrew F. decisions. Through theHighQualityIEPs.net website there are resources for educators, education leaders, and parents that are reviewed and updated regularly based on user feedback. Additional resources for administrators and parents are planned for the next two years.

In this episode we hear from Floyd Rumohr about his newly released book, Stage It! Making Shakespeare Come Alive in Schools, which is born out of his decades of experience working with students in New York City. The book focuses on four of Shakespeare's plays with extensive lesson plans for teachers to stage parts or up to a forty-minute, abridged adaptation with their students. The beauty of this is in allowing both the teachers and the students to be creative and vulnerable as they learn the vocabulary specific to the theater and to Shakespeare's plays. The lessons encourage students to express themselves and their emotions through a similar process that actors engage in.

You can find more information on Floyd and his book at ⁠www.stageitplays.com⁠.