■ Teacher Candidate Professional Networking Grant: Augsburg students interested in attending their professional conference are encouraged to seek a Teacher Candidate Professional Networking Grant to support their attendance. You can receive up to $300 for travel and conference expenses. For more information, click on the link below.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QWAkDORpUhPt4CvrHw50g-4KrNJSbCxsqbUwFMAHG2g/edit?usp=sharing
■ Minn-Econ Conference and Teaching Awards: The Minn-Econ Conference and Teaching Awards will be held at the University of St. Catherine on Saturday, December 14, 2019 from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Registration and more information is available at: <http://z.umn.edu/MCEE-Updates>.
■ Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Education (MAGE) is Sponsoring Geofest: Geofest is an opportunity for social studies teachers to participate in a professional conference for social studies educators (elementary or secondary). This link <https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRjPLZN5ANM0k8Qx_zGswP3H0LWSgfqIXJervvq5crpz0Ly8DMnGfdqp6JkojhxOX5cFlp440i8dRoH/pub> will take you to the registration page.
The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Education (MAGE) <https://magemn.com/> and is a great opportunity for students to see what is happening in K-12 geography education (and there is plenty of overlap into other areas of the social studies) as well as to network. Please contact conference coordinator Michelle Leba <michelle.leba@spps.org> to request a fee waiver for pre-service teachers and college students.
■ The Society of Women Engineers Sponsors Steering STEM: Steering STEM focuses on combating bias in STEM education and the target audience is future teachers. It includes a speaker from the UMN faculty, a panel of engineering students, a catered lunch, and some hands on experience with science experiments that could be used in a classroom. This year’s event is planned for Saturday, November 23. Go to: <https://www.sweumn.com/> to request more information.
■ Minimum Grade Policy Change: Effective immediately, the minimum passing grade for education licensure courses has been changed from C to C- for courses in all teacher education programs for graduate and undergraduate students.
While this policy primarily impacts transfer credits for incoming students, it also applies to courses taken at Augsburg. This change does not impact the cumulative GPA requirement of 3.0 (grad) and 2.5 (undergrad) for graduation.
Current students who have received a C- or P on transfer or previous coursework from Augsburg will be allowed to count those courses toward licensure. Current students will follow the new policy.
Please speak with your Education Department advisor for more information.
■ Student Teachers of Color Grant Support Available: Minnesotans of color who are enrolled in a student teaching program are encouraged to apply for grants up to $7,500. These scholarships were initiated by House Democrats and ultimately made possible with $1.5 million investment approved by the Minnesota Legislature. The Spring 2020 application deadline is December 3, 2019. The Office of Higher Education has more information regarding eligibility and the application process on their website (http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=2248).
■ Do you know Augsburg has a Youth Studies minor? This is a great minor to add to any major if you are considering working with children or youth. Here are three ways you can learn more:
- Check out the minor at -<https://www.augsburg.edu/youth-studies/>.
- If you want to talk more about the YST minor, please contact Professor Jeremy Myers at <myers@augsburg.edu>.
■ The City of Fridley Recreation Department is looking for instructors for their Fall Youth Programs: There are a variety of positions available in the After-School (3:00-5:30 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, $10-13 per hour depending on experience. To apply online go to our website at <https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fridleymn?>.
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 University 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 University 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 university’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).