Under the theme Stronger Unions, Stronger Voices, AFTNJ local presidents and members of their leadership teams gathered Aug. 17 in East Brunswick for this year’s leadership conference to expand their knowledge of union-related procedures and actions.
Following introductory remarks by AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera, attendees were presented with a series of workshops led by AFT national personnel.…
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About 40 percent of K-12 public teachers “reported that the intrusion of political issues and opinions into their professions was a job-related stressor,” according to the recent Rand Corp. report “Walking a Fine Line — Educators’ Views on Politicized Topics in Schooling.”
Among the report’s other key findings:
• 54 percent of K-12 educators surveyed “believed that there should not be legal limits on classroom conversations about racism and other contentious topics.”…
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Effective Aug. 15, New Jersey school districts and child care settings no longer need to maintain a policy that requires their unvaccinated workers undergo routine COVID-19 testing, per an executive order from Gov. Phil Murphy.
“Today’s executive order follows guidance from public health officials at the CDC regarding responsible steps states can take as we continue to adjust to the endemic reality of COVID-19,” Gov.…
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Join Chronicle of Higher Education senior writer Beckie Supiano on Aug. 17 for the virtual forum “Lessons in Creativity and Communications.”
Supiano and the panelists will discuss the ways in which higher education leaders are integrating communications and creativity into their curriculum.
The 75-minute session begins at 2 p.m. ET. For more info and to register, click here.…
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The end of a school year is a busy time for Garfield High School’s art teachers, says Garfield Federation of Teachers member Michael Garcia, one of the fine arts department’s three educators.
With that in mind, Garcia initially didn’t think he could take on a project that was proposed in the spring by fellow Garfield High teacher Victoria Derevyanik: decorating ceiling tiles for Hackensack University Medical Center’s pediatric wing.…
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By using CritterCoin, schools can create their own systems that allow teachers to reward students with digital coins and non-fungible tokens for exhibiting desired behaviors.
CritterCoin “is free for schools and teachers forever,” according to its website, with premium features available for a monthly fee. For more information and to register a school, click here.…
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AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera has asked that $100 million in American Rescue Plan funds be allocated “to shore up New Jersey’s higher education system.” She made her detailed request Aug. 2 during an ARP virtual hearing with Gov. Phil Murphy’s office.
Chiera, the hearing’s fifth speaker, opened by saying many of New Jersey’s public and private institutions of higher ed “are going through financial hardships and are thinking to cut staff, programs and services to students just to keep their doors open.”…
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The National Society of High School Scholars is accepting applications for its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Teaching Grant program through Aug. 15.
Any high school teacher currently employed at a U.S. public high school is eligible. Recipients of the five $1,500 awards may use the funds for supplies, field trips and other resources.
For a list of requirements and to apply, click here. …
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Nearly 85 percent of teachers “believe mastery learning can help address learning loss from the pandemic,” according to a new nationally representative survey from Khan Academy, a nonprofit providing free education resources.
“Mastery can play a critical role in recovery,” says Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy. “It allows teachers to personalize learning so that each student can progress through their grade level while also addressing the areas where they may need extra help.”…
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About 57 percent of the higher education workforce is at least somewhat likely to look into other employment opportunities during the next 12 months, according to a new employee retention survey from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources.
“The most common reason for seeking other employment (provided by three-fourths of those likely to look for another job) is an increase in pay,” four CUPA-HR researchers wrote in the survey’s conclusions.…
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Share My Lesson has a curated collection of summer movies for children with resources to help avoid the “summer slide.”
Among the lessons is “Summer of Soul: 1969, A Unique Year,” which focuses on the acclaimed “Summer of Soul,” a documentary about the long-forgotten Harlem Cultural Festival in New York starring Stevie Wonder, B.B. King, Nina Simone and others.…
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On July 19, the U.S. Department of Education issued guidance and resources designed to help public elementary and secondary schools “fulfill their responsibilities to meet the needs of students with disabilities and avoid the discriminatory use of student discipline,” per a U.S. DOE press release.
“The guidance we’re releasing today will help ensure that students with disabilities are treated fairly and have access to supports and services to meet their needs — including their disability-based behavior,” U.S.…
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