The AEA Good Teaching Institute is back and VIRTUAL this year! Read on to learn more about whether this PD is right for you.
The Past
I participated in GTI in 2017 and 2018. Last year, I was unable to because the AP Institute workshop at Service High was during the same time. In the past, the GTI has been held at Bartlett High for two days each August with door-prizes and catering from Pepperoncini’s. The keynote speakers are usually local. Wendi Shackleford presented on Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) in 2018 and I really enjoyed the presentation. The networking and meeting faces I’d only really known over email was also fantastic.
The Present
With it being virtual, AEA has been able to bring in keynote speakers from outside. They look engaging and fun. The GTI will be held entirely over zoom via live classes– so not asynchronous. This is nice because it’s likely there will be no follow up work like there would be in a Canvas class (ala ASDSA) but is less flexible in that manner.
There is a 1 credit class available through UAA for $74. Last time the requirement was simply a short, 2-3 page reflection on which sessions you attended and what you learned/how you will apply this in your classroom. This credit does require that you attend 15 hours, including the keynote sessions.
Additionally, we received an email this morning that said that AEA will be providing a $100 stipend to any member who completes 15 hours! They also mentioned that the sessions had filled fast. I noticed this when I registered on Monday. They are trying to add more sessions, but registration does close tomorrow (Wednesday, July 29th) at 5pm, to hop to it!
Classes I am taking that I am excited about:
8/4/20, 12:30 PM – 8/4/20, 2:30 PM
Professional Growth: National Board Certification Foundations
I have been interested in National Board Certification for a while. I think it could be a really great way to deepen my practice and develop my craft even more. The actual process of being coming board certified is extensive and can take an entire a year. The benefits of becoming a NBC Teacher are vast, though– your license has national reciprocity and lasts for 10 years before needing renewal. This lets you leapfrog working with DEED for your Alaska Teaching license. ASD also offers a $2,000 a year stipend for the life of your license (ten years). I am hoping this workshop will help me decide when the best time to attempt certification might be.
8/10/20, 12:30 PM – 8/10/20, 2:30 PM
Self-Care & Resiliency: Financial Essentials – 403b/PERS/TRS
Does hearing about Tier 3 retirement give you stress headaches? Me too. I am hoping this session will give me a little more information on the retirement system and our management company, Empower Retirement.
A class I already took during ASDSA but would totally recommend to others is Creating Effective Instructional Videos with Kevin Klott. According to this morning’s email, the class is full, but they are trying to add another session. Kevin is also hoping to offer another 1 credit course on this material through UAA in late August. This should be a repeat of the ASDSA class and I can tell you it was the easiest and MOST useful course I took. I cannot recommend it enough. If you’re nervous about online learning, you should consider this course even if you don’t need any CEU or salary advancement credits.
Okay– go register! Check whatever email AEA has on file for you for the info, and let me know what you think.
HeyKenna 