troopstoteachers.mo.gov central states . …x jefferson city office 877.530.2765 x st.louis office...
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X JEFFERSON CITY OFFICE
877.530.2765X ST. LOUIS OFFICE
314.416.2124X KANSAS CITY OFFICE
816.241.1705
T R O O P S TO T E A C H E R S . M O . G O V
TROOPS TO TEACHERS
C E N T R A L S TAT E S . O C TO B E R 2 0 1 6 . V O L . 7 . 1 6
TO FIND OUT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR GI BILL EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS, CALL 888.442.4551
TROOPS TO TEACHERS
There are many different types of teachers. For our purposes, we will break them down into three types. They are: Certified/Vocational/DoDEA/JROTC. Actual requirements differ by state. You should contact the Education Department in your state to be sure what you need to do. You may also contact the Troops to Teachers Supervisor in that state for help and information.
• Certified- Public school teachers must be licensed, which typically requires a bachelor’s degree and the completion of an approved teacher education program (certification). Many States offer alternative licensing programs to attract people into teaching, especially for hard-to-fill positions. Teachers must have the ability to communicate, inspire trust and confidence, and motivate students, as well as understand students’ educational and emotional needs. Job prospects are best for teachers in high-demand fields, such as mathematics, science, special education and bilingual education, and in less desirable urban or rural school districts.
• Vocational- Vocational education teachers, commonly called career and technical education (CTE) teachers or career-technology teachers, instruct and train students to work in a wide variety of fields. Career and technical education courses train students to enter a particular career and prepare them for the world of work. Career and technical teachers in middle and secondary schools may be introducing students to a trade or skill for the first time. They often teach courses that are in high demand by area employers, who often provide input into the curriculum and offer internships or
apprenticeships to students at the secondary school level. Many vocational teachers play an active role in building and overseeing these partnerships. Additional responsibilities of middle and secondary school teachers may include providing career guidance, helping with job placement, and following up with students after graduation. • United States Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools provide a comprehensive prekindergarten through 12th grade curriculum that is dedicated to attaining highest student achievement for all students. These schools are for children of military members stationed at various bases around the world. DoDEA’s schools are divided into 3 areas: Department of Defense Dependents Schools - Europe (DoDDS-E), Department of Defense Dependents Schools - Pacific (DoDDS-P) / Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools - Guam (DDESS-G), and the Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS). For more information, visit: http://www.dodea.edu/Offices/HR/employment/troopsToTeachers.cfm
• JROTC- The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is a Federal program sponsored by the United States Armed Forces in high schools across the United States. The program was originally created as part of the National Defense Act of 1916 and later expanded under the 1964 ROTC Vitalization Act. The purpose of JROTC is “to instill in students in secondary educational institutions (high schools) the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.” Additional objectives are established by the service departments of the Department of Defense. Contact your service organization to get more information.• Navy: www.njrotc.navy.mil• Marine Corp: • Marine Corp: www.mcjrotc.marines.mil/ • US Army: www.usarmyjrotc.com/ • US Air Force: http://www.au.af.mil/au/holmcenter/AFJROTC/index.asp
TYPES OF TEACHERS: CERTIFIED/VOCATIONAL/JROTC/DODDS
STATE TEACHER JOB VACANCY SITESLooking for a new job? These are some links that may prove useful for finding certified and substitute teaching jobs. For a more complete listing go to our website:WWW.TROOPSTOTEACHERS.MO.GOVMO: http://www.moteachingjobs.com/IA: http://www.iowaeducationjobs.com/NE: http://www.nebraskaeducationjobs.com/KS: http://www.kansasteachingjobs.com/
MISSOURI/IOWA/ NEBRASKA/KANSASChad Schatz, DirectorRon Marsch, SupervisorTurner Shipman, Troops to Teachers ContactMissouri Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationVeterans Education and Training SectionP.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480p: 877.530.2765fax: 573.526.5710 e-mail: [email protected]
TEACHER CERTIFICATION CONTACT INFORMATIONMISSOURIDebbie Butcher p: 573.751.7863 e-mail: [email protected] IOWAJoanne Tubbs p: 515.281.3611e-mail: [email protected] Garrett p: 402.471.0739 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.education.ne.gov/tcert KANSASSusan Helbert p: 785.296.2288e-mail: [email protected]
THE NATIONAL TROOPS TO TEACHERS WEBSITE IS LOCATED AT WWW.PROUDTOSERVEAGAIN.COM
TROOPS TO TEACHERS MENTORSWe are pleased to have a list of mentors on our web site. These people have successfully been through the process from start to finish.They are offering their thoughts, insights, and encouragement to others pursuing their goals of becoming teachers.WANT TO BECOME A MENTOR?The advice and guidance you will provide is invaluable to fellow veterans interested in starting careers as K-12 public school teachers.WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO BE A MENTOR?Visit: [email protected] orclick here to join us: http://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/TTT-MENTOR%20CONNECTION-%2006-14.pdf
Troops to Teachers State Manager Contact Information
For a complete listing of all contacts throughout the nation, go to this link. It will provide you with the most accurate and up to date list available.
http://www.troopstoteachers.net/Portals/1/National%20Home%20Page/stateoffices.pdf
LICENSING& CERTIFICATION INFORMATIONTEACHER CERTIFICATION
Certification is the key that unlocks your classroom door. You may be closer to certification than you think. Get in touch with a local university with an education program and let them review yours transcripts.
There are different types of teacher certification that can be granted under a variety of conditions. While they may have different names, in general, they are permanent and provisional certificates. Permanent certificates are awarded by a state upon an individual’s completion of one of the state’s approved teacher education programs. Provisional certificates are granted to individuals who do not, at the time the certificate is conveyed, meet all the requirements for permanent teacher certification. The provisional certificate requires that the recipient complete additional requirements within a specified period of time. Individuals who meet certain qualifications may earn a certificate of license to teach by completing a state-approved alternative teacher certification program at an institution of higher education in their state. These programs are designed for non-traditional students seeking teacher certification. Individuals should contact their local college or University or go to the Certification Information located in this section for state specific information regarding alternative certification.
Although many states have a reciprocity agreement with other states, it is a good idea to contact the education department for your state. Certification requirements vary from state to state. Becoming certified in one state does not automatically make you eligible to work in another.
CLICK HERE FOR SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIAL TRAINING & INFORMATION RESOURCES or go to: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/school_training_resources.asp
VETERAN’S EDUCATION & TRAINING SECTIONMISSOURI STATE APPROVING AGENCY
O C TO B E R 2 0 1 6 . V O L . 7 . 1 6D E S E . M O . G O V / V E T E R A N S - E D
Veterans Education & Training Section Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationP.O. Box 480Jefferson City, MO 65109573.751.3487
Veterans Education & Training Section C/O Penn Valley Community College Pioneer CampusRoom 2562700 East 18th St.Kansas City, MO 64127816.241.1705
Veterans Education & Training Section24 Davis Street Room 5St. Louis, MO 63125Phone: 314.416.2124
STAFFJEFFERSON CITYChad Schatz: DirectorRon Marsch: SupervisorDebbie Butcher: Teacher Certification SupervisorLoretta Fennewald: Administrative AssistantST. LOUISMichele Mueller: SupervisorRobert Hummel: Approval DeveloperSuzanne Adam: SecretaryJohn Hose: Education SpecialistKANSAS CITYSharon Sawyer: Supervisor
• VA YouTube Channel • VA Benefits Twitter Page • GI Bill Facebook Page
GI BILL - ACICS’S RECOGNITION AS A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED AGENCY WAS TERMINATED
You may have seen or heard that the Department of Education has terminated ACICS’s recognition as a nationally accredited agency because of scrutiny from the Department of Education (ED) for allegedly failing to provide consumer protection measures.
How does this impact me? GI Bill benefits may only be used at higher education institutions that are accredited by a federally recognized accreditor. Fortunately, just this week, the Congress passed and it is expected the President will sign legislation that provides an 18-month grace period for schools to seek accreditation by another federally recognized accreditor. Bottom line – you can continue to attend school using your GI Bill for another 18 months.
What happens while my school seeks alternate accreditation? This recent legislation allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue GI Bill benefits for up to 18 months following the withdrawal of recognition of an accrediting agency such as ACICS. This means you can continue to receive GI Bill benefits for up to 18 months while your school seeks alternate accreditation or program approval.
How did this happen? ED recently released a report to the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) recommending ED no longer recognize ACICS as an accreditor. NACIQI, a federal advisory committee that reviews all accrediting agencies for federal purposes, reviewed this report and made its own recommendation to end federal recognition of ACICS. ED has reviewed the report and NACIQI recommendations and has made the determination to terminate ACICS’ federal recognition.
What’s the current status? If ACICS does not appeal to the Secretary of Education, or if the appeal is taken but the Secretary of Education concurs in the Senior Department Official’s negative decision, ACICS will lose federal recognition. There is no time limit for the Secretary to make a decision if an accreditor appeals the decision of the Senior Department Official. During the entire appeal process, ACICS would remain a recognized accrediting body and there would be no impact on Veterans benefits.
Where can I get more information? If you want to learn more about what happens regarding student aid from the Department of Education (Pell Grants, federal student loans, etc.) when ED withdraws federal recognition of an accreditor, please read ED’s blog post, “What College Accreditation Changes Mean for Students” on their website.
A dedicated toll-free hotline is now available FOR SCHOOL CERTIFYING OFFICIALS (SCOS) ONLY. Toll-free hotline number 1 (855) 225.1159 The hotline is available from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Central Time. SCOs must provide the school’s facility code and be listed as a designated VA school certifying official to receive assistance through the dedicated hotline.
TO FIND OUT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VETERANS EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS, OR TO SEE HOW MUCH YOUR ENTITLEMENT IS, CALL 888.442.4551.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Inquiries related to Department programs and to the location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible by persons with disabilities may be directed to:Jefferson State Office Building, Civil Rights Compliance (Title VI/Title IX/504/ADA/Age Act) 205 Jefferson Street, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480p: 573.526.4757 or Relay Missouri p: 800.735.2966.
WHAT ARE VA GI BILL OJT/APPRENTICESHIP AND MISSOURI SHOW ME HEROES PROGRAMS?Missouri State Approving Agency and the Show-Me Heroes Program agree to share information regarding VA benefits for on-the-job training and apprenticeship and Show Me Heroes on-the-job training reimbursements to employers.
The VA program for on-the-job- training and apprenticeship include benefits for eligible veterans and dependents. The minimum training program length is at least six months. Benefits range from $276 to $1,341 or more per month paid to the veteran, based on entitlement.
The Show-Me Heroes Program features a 50% wage reimbursement to employers in qualifying training for up to six months. Some veterans may qualify for both programs based on each program approval criteria.
Contact the Missouri State Approving Agency at 1-877-530-2765 or 1-573-751-1250.
The Show-Me Heroes program phone number is 1-800-592-6020 and the web site is: http://showmeheroes.mo.gov/
CERTIFYING OFFICIAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITYThe VA will be holding training sessions for certifying officials. The sessions will be hosted by Education Liaison Representatives (ELRs). You will also have the opportunity to meet with someone from the Missouri State Approving Agency. These are very informative sessions and are beneficial to both the new and the experienced certifying official.
The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday October 26 and Thursday October 27 at Ozarks Technical Community College, 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, Missouri. October 26 will be reserved for School certifying officials and will cover any new updates to the SCO Handbook. October 27 will be reserved for On-the-Job training and Apprenticeship certifying officials.
ACICS’S ACCREDIDITED AGENCY WAS TERMINATED continued
What is VA doing? VA is actively monitoring this situation and has worked with Congress and with the Department of Education, Department of Defense, and the State Approving Agencies to identify solutions that would mitigate disruption in your educational pursuits in the event ACICS loses federal recognition. As always, please feel free to contact our Education Call Center at 1-888-442-4551 (Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. CST) for any questions about your GI Bill benefits and remaining entitlement, or join the conversation on our Facebook page and Twitter pages.
What should you do? At this point nothing changes for you for at least the next 18 months. We would, however, suggest you may want to re-evaluate your educational goals and decide that your current school and program will either meet your need for the next 18 months or that you may want to consider other options, courses and/or schools. We would suggest leveraging some of the tools we have developed on the GI Bill website such as CareerScope to help evaluate your interests and aptitudes, our ‘Choosing the Right School’ guide, the brief video ‘Know Before You Go’ and finally our GI Bill Comparison Tool that provides a lot of information on every school approved for the GI Bill. Always keep in mind details such as will other schools accept that school’s credits, what kind of accreditation (regional or national) and does that school provide you the flexibility you need for your career goals.
We will continue to stay in touch and send updates as soon as they occur so you can make the choices you need to make with the best information available. As in all situations like this, it is important that you do what is necessary to plan for all possible outcomes.
http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
NEBRASKA
KANSASMore information about educator preparation in Nebraska can found at www.education.ne.gov/tcert
More information about educator preparation in Kansas can found at www.ksde.org
COMMISSIONER’S BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE ADDRESSES TEACHER VACANCIES AND DECLINE IN EMPLOYMENT PIPELINE
Report shows Kansas continues to import more K-12 educators than leave the state.TOPEKA - Over the last few years, Kansas universities and colleges have reported a decline in the number of students enrolling in teacher preparation programs. This, combined with the number of Baby Boomers retiring and some Kansas districts struggling to fill teacher vacancies, prompted Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson earlier this year to commission a task force to study Kansas’ teacher vacancies and shortages.“There is definitely a slowing of the educator pipeline,” said Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson. “And when you combine that with the number of teachers currently eligible for retirement and the chronic teacher vacancy rates in several areas of the state, we’ve got the potential for a perfect storm.” The Blue Ribbon Task Force, made up of Kansas educators, higher education representatives and Kansas State Department of Education staff members, met throughout April, May and June to study the issues and to develop recommendations for addressing the persistent vacancies and decreasing professional pipeline.Referencing the Kansas State Department of Education’s 2015-16 Licensed Personnel Report (LPR), which tracks district data on Kansas K-12 licensed educators entering and exiting Kansas schools, the task force noted some key observations. While 303 Kansas educators left the state during the 2014-15 school year, (290 left the state during the 2013-14 school year), 599 out-of-state educators accepted teaching assignments in Kansas (739 in 2013-14. Educator retirement rates remained steady with 1,029 reported during the 2014-15 school year, down slightly from 1,109 reported during the 2013-14 school year. When looking at Kansas educators’ years of experience, the task force concluded that Kansas is currently experiencing a greening of the profession. Forty percent of Kansas educators are reported as having less than 10 years of experience. That percentage jumps to 55 percent when looking at educators with less than 15 years of experience. The task force also noted that the majority of reported teacher vacancies are concentrated in southwest Kansas, Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas. In its final report presented to the Kansas State Board of Education Tuesday, the task force outlined 61 recommendations that were categorized as being either Immediate, Intermediate or Long-term. The board subsequently approved the creation of a Teacher Vacancy and Supply Committee to serve as a standing subcommittee of the Professional Standards Board. The committee will be charged with leading the implementation of approved task force recommendations, studying the effectiveness of those recommendations and monitoring the annual collection of teacher data. According to Watson, himself a former classroom teacher and administrator, “It’s time to tell our story. Teaching is a great profession and, while it isn’t without its challenges, the rewards are unparalleled. We are committed to placing a highly qualified teacher in every Kansas classroom. If you have the passion, the knowledge and the desire to protect and changes lives, we have a place for you.”
Read the Blue Ribbon Task Force’s complete report here: http://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/Communications/Publications/BRTF%20Final.pdf
STUDENTS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE ON NEBRASKA STATE STANDARDS Preliminary test scores released today show that nearly three of every four Nebraska public school students met state standards in 2016. Generally, scores show a steady improvement over time with significant change in all subject areas since the inception of Nebraska State Assessments (NeSA). “Nebraska students are making great strides in reading with proficiency now over 80%,” Commissioner Matt Blomstedt said, noting a two percent increase in student reading scores this year compared to 2015, and a 13 percent increase since 2010. “This is good news as strong reading skills contribute to success in all academic areas,” he added.Seven of every 10 Nebraska students are proficient in math and science. Trend data shows state test scores have improved incrementally since testing began six years ago on reading standards, with testing in other subjects phased in yearly. Over six years, the percentage of students proficient on mathematics standards improved by 10 percent and science proficiency increased five percent in five years. Statewide Director of Assessment Valorie Foy said, “teachers continue to build the opportunity for educational excellence for all students every day in Nebraska schools. Every year more Nebraska students meet the state benchmarks for proficiency.”Even though the percentage of Nebraska students meeting state standards has increased, overall, Blomstedt said Nebraska can improve. “As we continue to chart the future of education in Nebraska we know we must focus on closing the educational achievement gap for all subgroups of students by areas such as race, ethnicity, and poverty.” In October, state test results for groups of students will be available on the Nebraska Education Profile (formerly the State of the Schools Report.) Over the next three years, Nebraska’s Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow system (AQuESTT) will demonstrate progress toward state achievement goals, close achievement gaps, increase college and career readiness, and improve the quality of educational opportunities for students across the state.
A CHANCE TO HELP A NEW TEACHERTuesday, September 20, 2016The Iowa Department of Education is engaging in a field trial of the teacher performance assessment designed to enhance a beginning teacher’s professional learning. We are currently seeking volunteers – both new and experienced – to participate in this study. The Iowa Teacher Performance Assessment (IA-TPA) provides beginning teachers and their mentors a structured process for looking at teacher practice that makes teachers active players in their own learning as part of their first two years of teaching.
What’s in it for beginning teachers and school districts?• The beginning teacher and mentor will have an enriched discussion centered on the Iowa Teaching Standards.• The beginning teachers will receive targeted feedback to improve their practice.• Evidence will be compiled to support the beginning teacher’s mastery of the Iowa Teaching Standards.
The IA-TPA project now offers a degree of flexibility to Iowa districts regardless of the mentoring and induction (M&I) program that is used. Based on feedback from participants, the instrument has been revised and its use has been expanded: 1) participants may join the field study and use the instrument as part of their current M&I program; 2) participants may use the instrument as part of their current M&I program, use the feedback data in-house and not be involved with the field trial; or, 3) districts may want to check out the Innovation Collaborative as a M&I program for beginning teachers that complements the use of the IA-TPA instrument.
For more information, visit the IA-TPA website. For specific questions and information, send an email to:[email protected] or [email protected].
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL APPROACHES TRANSITIONThe State Board of Education heard an update on an upcoming transition from a current interim advisory committee to an appointed advisory council on career and technical education on Tuesday. Members of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) staff and Dr. Don Claycomb, former president of State Technical College of Missouri, presented the upcoming changes.Due to the passage of Senate Bills 620 and 582 during the latest legislative cycle, the work of the Department’s interim CTE Advisory Committee – which was convened to provide input and recommendations regarding secondary, postsecondary, and adult CTE programs and services – will evolve into a new council appointed by Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. The previous committee met quarterly and was comprised of representatives from area career centers, high schools, community colleges, State Technical College of Missouri and four-year universities. “With the ever-growing focus on school and work partnerships in Missouri, we are thrilled to have such dedicated professionals working with the Department to enhance CTE curriculum throughout the state,” said Blaine Henningsen, assistant commissioner of the Office of College and Career Readiness.
Commissioner Vandeven has made 11 appointments to the 18-member Advisory Council:• Roger Barnes, superintendent, Chillicothe R-II School District• Mitch Comer, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) & industrial technology instructor, Camdenton High School• Brian Crouse, vice president of education, Missouri Chamber of Commerce• Brad Deken, professor and chair of the Department of Polytechnic Students, Southeast Missouri State University• John Gaal, director of training and workforce development, St. Louis-Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council• Sarrah Morgan, director, Lex-La-Ray Technical Center• Raghib Muhammad, marketing teacher, McCluer South-Berkeley High School• Brian Noller, director, Northland Career Center• Vicki Schwinke, dean of academic and student affairs, State Technical College of Missouri• Eddie Stephens, associate vice president of career and technical education, Crowder College• David Webb, vice president of credit, FCS Financial
In addition, four members from the General Assembly (yet to be appointed) and three non-voting ex-officio members will also be included as part of the council. The CTE Advisory Council will initially be tasked with creating requirements for a CTE certificate that a student can earn in addition to his or her high school diploma. Beginning with the 2017-18 academic year, students who enter high school will have the opportunity to earn the newly-developed CTE certificate.
IOWA
More information about educator preparation in Missouri can found at dese.mo.gov/eq/ep/.
More information about educator preparation in Iowa can found at http://educateiowa.gov/
MISSOURI