■ Advising and Admissions Up-Dates:
Testing requirements—The MN Basic Skills requirement must be met by providing passing scores on one of the three test batteries (MTLE, SAT or ACT Plus writing.)
ACT Plus Writing will be required for admissions into Augsburg beginning fall 2016. This is a requirement for incoming first year students. It is not required for transfers or AU students.
The Department of Education at Augsburg requires evidence of taking one of these test batteries for admissions into the Department. Students must be admitted into the Department before enrolling in a 300 level class. It does not permitted to take 300 level courses before you are admitted.
As of July 1, (POLICY CHANGE AT MN Board of Teaching, BOT) Augsburg can recommend students who have completed our programs in good standing if they have not completed testing requirements. These students will receive a standard one-year license at the time that they are our program completers. They can extend their one year teaching license for three years. Within that 3 year period, teachers must successfully pass the testing requirements.
The BOT is currently seeking new vendors for basic skills test batteries.
Advising—Day students in their final two years at Augsburg may enroll in AU courses if it is the only way that they can graduate in a timely manner. Registration forms must be signed by Vicki Olson or Peg Finders.
Students in SPE and ESL may switch from Day to AU to finish SPE or ESL licenses. Day students who need to switch to AU to finish out their SPE or ESL licenses can maintain campus housing.
If you have concerns or questions about the financial impact of this type of change please contact a Student Financial Services counselor immediately about the financial impact of the change. Students can schedule appointments online via the Advising link in Records and Registration, at the service window, or by phone or email.
■ Fridley Middle School Students at Augsburg: The middle-level learners will appear in the Christensen Center on Thursday April 16th from 10-12. The students will be sharing the work they’ve done on three issues: gun violence, protection of endangered species, and after school dance programs for youth.
■ The Minnesota Historical Society has started recruitment for the Museum Fellows Program, The program includes a paid internship, an engaging Public History course and an all-expenses paid trip to Chicago for a week. If you have any program-specific questions, feel free to contact Kyle Parsons at <kyle.parsons@mnhs.org> .
■ Progressive Organizations Hiring: The Fund for the Public Interest (aka “the Fund”) works with organizations such as Environment America and US PIRG. They are hiring part time and full time campaign staff to work on campaigns for clean water, and to end subsidies to corporate farms. For more information, contact Natalie Townsend at <natalie@weareimpact.org> or 612-331-3315.
■ Behavioral Dimensions, a private company based out of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, is currently hiring students from junior and community colleges and undergraduate students from universities. This entry level position teaches employees many valuable skills to use when working with children with unique learning needs. There are excellent promotion opportunities within the company. The qualifications required to apply for the position are also listed. Part time and full time positions are available. Please contact Jay O’Neill (Owner & Director of Specialty Services) at 612-889-0278 or by email at <joneill@behavioraldimensions.com> for more information.
■ Looking for tutors for Minnesota Reading and Math Corps: We are now looking for both full-time and part-time literacy and math tutors for Twin Cities area schools for the 2015-16 school year. As you know, the Minnesota Reading Corps and Math Corps is an AmeriCorps program that trains and places tutors in schools throughout Minnesota. Tutors earn: Bi-weekly stipend of $544 (full time; half that for half time) $5,645 education award for college tuition or student loan payments (full time; half that for half time). For more information, contact Miriam Queensen at <mqueensen@mnedc.org>.
■ The City of Fridley Recreation Department is looking for instructors for their Summer Youth Programs: here are a variety of positions available for the summer ranging from 20-40 hours per week, Monday – Friday (June 1 – August 21). Leaders are responsible for planning and teaching a variety of activities for pre-school, elementary and/or middle school age youth. Programs include: camps, instructional classes, playgrounds, special events, field trips and sports. Pay rate is $8-10 per hour. The application deadline is Friday, April 3. For more information visit: <http://www.ci.fridley.mn.us/> and go to the Parks and Recreation page or contact the Fridley Recreation Department at (763)572-3570 or <margo.numedahl@fridleymn.gov>.
■ Interested in teaching abroad? Each year, Augsburg’s URGO office works with students applying to the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship program. This grant pays individuals a salary to live abroad for a year to serve as an English Teaching Assistant in schools or universities. There are Fulbright grants in hundreds of countries, and applicants can chose which country they would like to apply to based on location and grade-level placement preferences. For more information, contact Kirsten O’Brien at: <obrienk@augsburg.edu>.
■ Summer MTLE Preparation Resources: “How to prepare for the Reading MTLE” (READ 1230, 1 credit,) will be offered this summer at 9:00 am-11:20 am on Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning July 6 through August 6th.
Math for Elementary Teachers/Foundations of Math 1 and 2 (Math 1050 and Math 1060) will also be offered this summer:
- MATH 1050: June 1st to July 2nd , Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday, from 3:00-5:50 pm
- MATH 1060: July 6th-Aug. 6th, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday, from 3:00-5:50 pm
For more information, contact Linette Manier, Normandale Community College Director of Teacher Education, Phone: 952-358-8437, or email: <Linette.Manier@normandale.edu>.
■ TC2 is offering three different series of MTLE support sessions in 2015: mathematics overview (four sessions), mathematics intensive (seven sessions), reading and writing (one session). Multiple sessions of each offering will be scheduled in 2015. Please visit the TC2 website <http://www.tcteacher.org/> for current information and registration links.
■ MTLE Preparation Modules: Online MTLE preparation resources are available free of charge to Augsburg teacher education candidates. Go to: <http://www.longsdalepub.com/courses /mtle/start/>. There you will need to provide the following credentials: School #: 48663 School Key: acsuccess Registration requires you to provide your name and email address, no ID Number is required. Please save your registration information, as you will be required to enter it each time you visit the site.
■ Substitute Teaching Positions: St. Joseph School in Rosemount, MN. (K-8, Catholic School) is looking for substitute teachers. For more information, contact Kelly Roche, Assistant Principal at 651-423-1658, ext. #4101 or <kelly.roche@stjosephcommunity.org>.
■ Applying for a Position in Minneapolis Public Schools: To interview with MPS for a teaching position for the 2015-16 school year, you need to complete the following two steps:
- Go to <http://humanresources.mpls.k12.mn.us/become_a_teacher_in_mps.html> and apply for the 2015-16 Candidate Pool in your licensure area(s), then
- Sign up for a Teacher Hiring Fair where you’ll have the opportunity to interview for a spot for the 2015-16 teacher pool. After you sign up you will receive an email from Human Capital confirming the date and time of your interview.
If you have any questions please contact the Office of Human Capital at 612.668.0500 or <staffing@mpls.k12.mn.us>.
■ Paid Summer Camp Staff Positions: The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities are looking for Residential Summer Camp Staff – at Camp Voyageur, June 14th-August 21st 2015. Contact information for the BGCTC staff may be found at: < http://www.boysandgirls.org/contact/>.
■ GEMS/GISE STEM Summer Program 2015: Positions are available for summer STEM camp staff with GEMS/GISE. Augsburg pre-service teachers or students pursuing study in science, mathematics, technology, or engineering are preferred. Interviews will happen in March & April. Please email resume to Dayle VanderLeest; <dvanderle@hotmail.com>.
■ Work With Summer Reads VISTA: Summer Reads is an AmeriCorps VISTA program of the Minnesota Literacy Council that focuses on the decline of literacy skills in low-income children over the summer months, a phenomenon commonly referred to as the “summer slide.” Summer Reads VISTAs serve full-time for 8 weeks and are not allowed to have another job during their term of service. As VISTA members, they receive a bi-weekly living allowance, training and professional development, and are eligible for an end-of-service Education Award. More information is available at <http://www.mnliteracy.org/volunteers/vista/summer-reads-vista>. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through April 30, with priority given to applications received before March 31. In addition to Summer Reads, the Literacy Council also has a year-long Literacy VISTA program that places and supports members throughout Minnesota to work behind the scenes and create or expand literacy-focused programs that bring low-income children and youth and their families out of poverty. They will begin accepting applications for this program in March. For more information, contact Wendy Roberts at 651-251-9063 ext. 214 or <wroberts@mnliteracy.org>.
■ Education Department Office is Also Open Certain Non-Business Hours: • Tuesday and Thursday until 6 p.m. every week. • Friday until 6 p.m. and Saturday over the noon hour every Weekend College weekend. Turn things in; pick things up; leave messages or materials for faculty; check your department file – we are here for you.
Submitting news to Augsburg:
- To the Education Department News: Send your news to Joseph Erickson at C.B. 312 or erickson-AT-augsburg.edu.
- To the Augsburg Now published by the Augsburg College Office of Public Relations and Communication: Send your news to C.B. 145 or now@augsburg.edu.
- To the daily A-Mail electronic newsletter: Go to AugNet Home Page and login. Then click on “Submit News and Announcements” link.
Connecting with Alumni and Friends:
Augsburg College provides several ways to stay connected with Alumni and friends. Here are some links to get you started:
- Alumni Information Update: Submit news and contact information changes to the college’s Alumni Office.
- TC2 New Teachers’ Blog
Other Sources of News for K-12 Teachers:
Here are links to some of the very best online news sources for K-12 teachers:
- Education Week
- Teacher Magazine
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (also, subscribe to ASCD SmartBrief, a daily email news resource delivered right to your inbox)