In this episode we hear from Starr Sackstein of Educators Rising. Ms. Sackstein is a National Board Certified teacher with over 20 years experience in education. In addition to numerous books which you can find in the NACCTEP Book List, Ms. Sackstein also writes a column for the Kappan Magazine called Career Confidential.

Ms. Sackstein shares the extensive ways that Educators Rising introduces potential teachers to the field beginning in middle school and high school and supporting their continued studies in college as well. From curriculum, to micro-credentials, to scholarships and competitions at the state and national levels, Educators Rising helps students explore the teaching field.

mssackstein.com

Kappanonline.org

Kappanonline.org/category/career-confidential/

NACCTEP Book List

Dr. Scott Bailey, Assistant Provost of Education Programs at the American College of Education (ACE) joins us to discuss the partnership between ACE and Rio Salado College, specifically in regards to educator preparation students. Dr. Bailey praises the enthusiasm that Rio Salado has for their partnership and how that is reinforced by the collaborative and seamless nature of what ACE offers students completing Rio Salado's teacher preparation post-bacc programs. Through this partnership, students moving on to ACE for a masters degree in education are able to complete the degree in as little as one year and for well under $10k.

The other benefits of ACE's education programs, both at the masters and doctoral levels, is that they are designed and taught by educators for educators. This allows students to have confidence not only in the applicable nature of what they are learning, but also in knowing that their instructors understand the day-to-day challenges of being a teacher. To learn more about ACE and their many degree offerings, please visit ACE.edu.

In this episode we hear from Dr. Melodie Baker of Impact Stats on how community colleges can use data to adapt and continuously improve educator preparation programs. Of particular interest is the teaching of math. With many candidates unable to pass the math portion of licensing exams, even if they've taken developmental math courses, there is clear evidence that focusing on a co-requisite model is more effective in boosting the math skills of teacher candidates and of all students.

Data can also be used to identify equity gaps in academics as well as funding areas and allowing colleges to address these issues. This is critical at the community college level which can have such a positive impact on diversifying and localizing the teacher workforce. You can learn more about Impact Stats and their work at impactstats.org.