■ General Education Student Teaching for Spring 2017: For those education students in general education who will complete coursework by the end of Fall Semester and are eligible to student teach in Spring 2017. If you haven’t already done so, attend the final Information Session to learn the application process:
- Saturday September 17, 12:00-1:15pm in Oren Gateway Center 100
If you have a work or class conflict, contact Barbara West (612.330.1154 or
<westb@augsburg.edu>) before Sept 12 for directions on how to proceed.
■ Special Education Student Teaching for Spring 2017: The special education student teacher information sessions for Spring 2017 will be on Tuesday, September 20 and Wednesday, September 28 from 6 – 7:30 pm in Riverside Room in the Christensen Center.
If you plan to student teach in the spring you must attend this information session. Please contact Gretchen Guenter if you have questions or concerns <guenter@augsburg.edu>.
■ Study Education and Psychology in Slovenia, May 2017: Examine the roots of both educational and psychological practices that shaped European culture in beautiful Ljubljana, Slovenia. As part of this May 2017 travel program, you will also experience Roman ruins in Croatia and the canals of Venice, Italy.
For more information, visit <http://bit.ly/travel-slovenia-2017>
To apply, go to <http://studyabroad.augsburg.edu/?go=PsychAndEduSlovenia>.
More information about the trip may be obtained by contacting professors Joseph Erickson <erickson@augsburg.edu> or Stacy Freiheit at <freiheit@augsburg.edu>.
■ Several Updates Regarding Minnesota BOT Testing:
• The Minnesota Board of Teaching (BOT) no longer requires the ACT/SAT/GRE/Praxis I scores be taken within the past 10 years. There is currently no time limit. Keep in mind that the ACT scores must be the ACT Plus Writing which started around February 2005.
SAT recently changed the way they score their tests. The new scores (and old) can be found on the link to the MN Board of Teaching website: <http://mn.gov/board-of-teaching/beaneducator/licensureexams/>.
•Minnesota Version of NES Now Available: As of August 30th, candidates are now able to sign up for the MN NES exam directly through the MTLE website by using this link:
<http://www.mtle.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/GENRB_AnnounceBasicSkills.html>
• The passing score for the MN NES is 520 for all three tests (Reading, Writing, and Math):
MN NES EAS Subtest Passing Score (on a 400–600 point scale)
- Reading=520
- Writing=520
- Mathematics=520
The test is exactly the same as the National NES exam, it’s just that MN candidates are given 15 extra minutes of time. Because of the extra time, the score rating had to be adjusted. The same number of correct raw scores needed to pass is exactly the same on both tests. The National NES exam is based on a 100-300 point scale and the MN NES is based on a 400-600 point scale. The MN NES scores will be available to view in Results Analyzer starting with the October 7th reporting date.
NOTE: If candidates sign up and take the National NES exam after August 30th, they will accept the scores if they met the minimum passing score:
NES EAS Subtest Passing Score (on a 100–300 point scale)
- Reading=205
- Writing=214
- Mathematics=213
Also, if a candidate has taken and passed a portion of the MTLE basic skills, they need to register and complete ONLY the portion they have not passed of that basic skills test through NES. They do not need to complete the whole series of Reading, Writing, and Math over unless they did not pass all portions.
A listing of all licensure exam minimum passing scores can be found on the Board of Teaching website at: <http://mn.gov/board-of-teaching/beaneducator/licensureexams/>
• Free study materials will be available for all MTLE test. There are also expanded test preparation products available for cost. Additional information can be found on their website using this link <http://www.mtle.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_PreparationMaterials.html>
Pearson has also expanded their customer service hours to M-F 7AM-7PM and Sat from 8AM-4PM.
For questions and more information, please contact: Debby Odell, Educator Licensing, Supervisor <Debby.Odell@state.mn.us> or (651) 582-8522.
■ Scholarships for Education Majors: BestColleges.com partners with HigherEducation.com to provide students with direct connections to schools and programs suiting their educational goals. BestColleges.com curates a financial aid resource guide to scholarships for those students who call themselves future teachers. For more information, contact: <http://BestColleges.com>.
■ Fridley Recreation Department Needs Instructors: The City of Fridley Recreation Department is looking for energetic instructors for our Fall Youth Programs! There are a variety of positions available in the After-School (3:30-5:30 p.m.), Evening and Weekend hours instructing classes (sports, crafts, games, etc.) for pre-school, elementary and middle school age children. Staff are scheduled monthly, working anywhere from 1 to 5 days each week, $9-11 per hour depending on experience. For application information go to: <http://fridleymn.gov/329/Human-Resources>.
For further information contact the Fridley Recreation Dept. at (763)572-3570 or e-mail <margo.numedahl@fridleymn.gov>.
■ Behavioral Dimensions is Hiring: Behavioral Dimensions, a private company based out of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, provides services to children with autism and other disabilities. They are looking to hire for positions throughout the Twin Cities metro, Duluth, & Iron Range. Part time and full-time positions are available. If you are interested, contact Jay O’Neill (Owner & Director of Specialty Services) at 612-889-0278.
■ Jobs at Frog Tutoring: FrogTutoring is an educational technology platform that facilitate 1-on-1 private tutoring offering the full range of academic courses and test prep. Minimum of $30 per session, tutor chooses which grade level and subjects to tutor, as well as having the opportunity to create their own schedule, get driving compensation, periodic bonus and referral bonus. Apply at: <http://frogtutoring.com/jobs>.
More information is available by contacting LaQuesia Gorins, Hiring Manager At FrogTutoring, Phone: (817) 717-7235, Fax: (877) 904-0134 or <hiring@frogtutoring.com>.
■ Community Service-Learning Opportunity at Venture Academy: Venture Academy is a public charter school based in Minneapolis with the mission of inspiring passionate, innovative entrepreneurial leaders who imagine opportunities, take initiative, and create solutions. Since opening in August 2013, Venture has primarily served economically disadvantaged children and English learners with a whole school learning model that uses personalized, blended digital learning designed to cultivate entrepreneurial leadership skills that students will use to change the world around them.
This service learning opportunity is aimed at undergrad students looking for an opportunity to work with Venture students during the 2016-17 school year. If interested, please contact Hannah Bech, Venture Academy Community Engagement Specialist at: <hbech@ventureacademies.org> or (484) 680-6305.
■ Trinity First Lutheran School Seeks Volunteers: Trinity First Lutheran School is a Preschool 3 through 8th grade Christian school located in the inner city of Minneapolis, just 7 blocks south of the new stadium. Trinity First is seeking volunteers willing to serve in all capacities of our school, but especially in our classrooms and after school homework help program (3:15-5:00pm daily). A commitment to serve is encouraged, but we are flexible and willing to work with volunteers’ schedules. Our students love our volunteers, and our teachers are deeply appreciative of their help! If interested, contact Anna VanVleet at <vanvleet.tfl@gmail.com> or 612-314-6773 (call or text). Please also find more information at: <http://www.trinityfirstschool.org/support>.
You are also welcome to attend a 1-hour informational tour, followed by a volunteer orientation for those interested in serving. Please RSVP to Anna.
September 27 – 4:00-6:00pm
October 12 – 11:30am-1:30pm (lunch provided)
■ Education Department Office is Also Open Certain Non-Business Hours:
• Tuesday and Thursday until 6 p.m. every week.
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).