This free two-day workshop is to assist community college faculty in preparing future teachers in science education. NASA Earth and space scientists and educators share authentic inquiry activities, data, and resources related to key topics from the national science standards. The NACCTEP pre-conference institute in 2010 will include a focus on NASA Earth science data and the theme of climate change. Participants receive a $300 stipend.

• Explore standards-based concepts using authentic inquiry.

• Discuss current science research with NASA scientists.

• Identify ways to address Earth and space science misconceptions.

• Explore collaboration plans with colleagues.

For additional information please click here.

Message From The President

Dear NACCTEP Members:

Welcome to the new academic year and all the challenges and rewards ahead. To our new members, welcome to the National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs, which will be facing those challenges and enjoying those rewards with you.

Teaching is the profession that makes all other professions possible. A generation without enough teachers means a following generation without enough engineers, artists, doctors, dancers, technicians… and teachers.

Studies show that over 50 percent of current teachers attended a community college for at least part of their education. This gives our institutions a special obligation to provide the very best in teaching programs, and a special opportunity to produce teachers who reflect the richness and diversity of the communities they call home.

Today’s community colleges must particularly be in the forefront of preparing teachers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). There are huge shortages of trained professionals in these fields despite the fact that they are indeed the vital “stem” of a flowering economy. The tough fiscal times make it all the more imperative for us to invest in the development of such instructors so that our country can remain competitive in a world of relentlessly advancing technologies

To the educators of tomorrow’s teachers, NACCTEP is a village green where their problems can be discussed and victories hailed, a resource center where they can tap into cutting edge classroom practices, and a megaphone through which their voices can be heard from the town hall to the halls of Congress. Our Board represents each and every one of you in many arenas throughout the year. Please reach out to Board members who are from your region or state and let them know about what you are doing and what you may need help with. We are here for you. Use us.

Be a proactive member of this organization in your own colleges and start planning now for participation in our annual conference in Baltimore, Maryland in 2010.  Encourage colleagues who have not participated in our conference in the past to attend this time. The theme, Connecting Communities: Working together to advance community college teacher education programs, will also be the goal of NACCTEP every day in the school year ahead. I wish you a very successful 2009-2010 academic year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Carole M. Berotte Joseph, NACTEP President

P.S.  For an introduction to this year’s NACCTEP Executive Board, click here.