FEA summer conferences
The dates have been set for the annual Future Educators Association summer conferences. For more information about the free conferences, contact Jennifer Miller at (502) 564-1479. Here are the conference dates and locations:
· Eastern Kentucky University: June 8-13
· Kentucky State University: June 22-27
· Northern Kentucky University: June 16-20
· University of Louisville: June 8-13
· Morehead State University: June 8-15
· University of Kentucky: June 8-14
· Western Kentucky University: June 2-6
· Campbellsville University: June 17-22
Chocolate economics workshop
A Chocolate Economics Workshop for elementary teachers will be held at Ruth Hunt Candy Company in Mt. Sterling, June 2, from 9 a.m. until noon. This event involves “tasty” curriculum, using a chocolate theme to teach elementary school lessons directly correlated with the national content standards in economics. Everyone who attends the entire workshop will receive professional development certificates and a free copy of the curriculum, valued at $25, and a tour of the factory.
Transition fair
Mason County High School is hosting the third annual Transition Fair May 9 for students with special needs. The fair is free to both students with special needs and parents of students with special needs. For more information, contact Lisa Applegate at (606) 564-3393.
Summer geographic institute
The Kentucky Geographic Alliance is hosting the 2008 Alliance Summer Geography Institute (ASGI) themed “Bridging Geography into Classrooms” June 22-27 at Natural Bridge State Park. The event is geared as a training institute for teacher consultants.
‘The Constitution and the New Republic’
The Teaching American History Grant Summer Conference will be June 16 in Bowling Green for 5th- through 8th-grade U.S. history teachers, elementary and middle school principals and district administrators. The conference will showcase lessons about the Constitution and New Republic created by teachers through the Teaching American History grant last year.
KAPS ‘RESPOND’ conference
The annual Conference of the Kentucky Association for Psychology in the Schools (KAPS) will be Oct. 1-3 in Lexington. The theme for this year’s conference is “RESPOND.” A variety of state and national speakers will be addressing topics such as Response to Intervention (RTI) and Special Learning Disabilities (SLD), grant writing, school safety, Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS), dyslexia, screenings for behavior disorders and more. The deadline to apply is June 4. For more information, contact Kristen Kyriacou at (502) 485-6094.
Learning disabilities seminar
The Learning Disabilities Association of Kentucky is hosting its ninth annual seminar to provide current information, strategies and enthusiasm to all educators, June 20, in Shepherdsville. The event offers six hours of professional development. Pre-registration deadline ends June 18.
Mini Society Training
Morehead State University in conjunction with the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC) invites grades 3-6 teachers to attend a three-day professional learning Mini Society Training experience. The event will be June 24-26 in Ashland. For more information, contact Janet Ratliff at (800) 567-2681.
Economics Extravaganza
Morehead State University and the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC) are hosting an Economics Extravaganza June 9 in Ashland. The deadline to register is May 9. For more information contact Donetta Trimble at (800) 737-0204.
Mickelson Teachers Academy
The Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy will be held in July 2009.
Teachers will spend five days at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J., deepening their understanding of mathematics and science content, building expertise in facilitating student learning through problem solving and inquiry, and using links between mathematics and science that support student learning and understanding in the classroom. Applications are due by Oct. 31.
Performing arts seminar rescheduled
The Career Development in the Performing Arts Seminar has been rescheduled for May 19 at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg. For more information or to pre-register, contact Judy Sizemore at (606) 364-5831.
IATDP Conference
The 98th annual Truancy, Dropout and Delinquency Prevention (IATDP) Conference, themed “Putting our Money on Student Success,” will be Oct. 12-16 in Las Vegas at Bally’s. For more information, contact Melissa Rogers at (502) 695-6740 or (502) 319-0577.
Kentucky Energy Tour for Educators
The Kentucky NEED (National Energy Education Development) will host its annual Energy Conference for Educators June 9-13. Participants will visit energy sites and meet with Kentucky energy professionals on a bus tour of Kentucky. Early registration is recommended for this free event that also includes free classroom materials. For more information, contact Karen Reagor at (859) 578-0312 or (866) 736-8941.
DigiGirlz High Technology Camps
DigiGirlz High Tech Camp is a free technology girls camp for grades 7-12 sponsored by Microsoft. The camp’s goal is to educate and inspire by introducing girls to opportunities and career choices in the technology industry. Girls will be exposed to executive speakers, technology tours and demonstrations, networking and hands-on learning workshops. Camp sites and date information are online.
‘KET Video-Multimedia PD Days’
The annual "KET Video-Multimedia PD Days" is open for online registration at KET in Lexington, July 15 or 16 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Registration is limited to 125 participants each day. The event is a collection of useful and interesting presentations and workshops on video-multimedia equipment and teaching methods by K-12, KET, KDE and University of Kentucky educators.
Spain summer exchange program
The Murray State University Center for Gifted Studies is offering summer enrichment courses in June for middle school students and a two-week Summer Challenge Exchange Program in Spain in July for high school students. For more information, contact Joy Navan at (270) 809-2539.
Kentucky Aviation Teacher Institutes
The 2008 Kentucky Aviation Teacher Institutes has openings in three of its four institute locations around the state. Each location will host 25 teachers. This is an opportunity for students to acquire enthusiasm for math and science. For more information, contact E. Paige Hankla at (502) 564-0296.
The dates and locations for these institutes are:
- Pennyrile State Resort Park, June 10-12
- General Butler State Resort Park, June 24-26
- Frankfort, July 1-3
Summer math, science PD offerings
The Partnership Institute for Math and Science Education Reform (PIMSER) P-12 Math and Science Outreach unit at the University of Kentucky is registering for summer workshops and academic year 2008-09 programs. A list of offerings, more information and links to registration on a recently-launched Web site are available online. Locations for the sessions range from Madisonville to eastern Kentucky.
KSMA Summer Refresher Conference
The annual Kentucky School Media Association (KSMA) conference will be July 8 at Jeffersontown High School Career Magnet Academy in Louisville. Participants will share and discuss issues and examine new technology. An ice cream social, hosted by the academy, will be held prior to the conference on July 7. Registration deadline is June 9.
Content Area Academies
Teachers interested in improving student achievement in mathematics, science, practical living/vocational studies, social studies, language arts, or arts and humanities in P-12 classrooms are invited to participate in the Content Area Academies, sponsored by the Kentucky Writing Project. Registration is $100. Teachers who complete the five days of the academy receive a $200 stipend, plus professional books and classroom materials.
Title I conference
The 30th annual Title I Regional Conference will be Nov. 9-11 in Owensboro. This conference attracts more than 600 Kentucky teachers, administrators and paraprofessionals. Featured speakers include author and writing consultant Melissa Forney and Salome Thomas-El, author of the best-selling book "I Choose to Stay" and principal at the Russell Byers Public Charter School in Philadelphia. Look for Conference Registration Information this fall at www.grrec.ky.gov.
Free Training and Materials for students
The Kentucky Crime Prevention Coalition is offering free startup training for youth crime watch programs in Kentucky. Schools trained will also receive a free startup kit. Schools can contact the Kentucky Crime Prevention Coalition office at (888) 798-5272 or (859) 727-2678. For more information, go to www.kyyouthprevention.org or www.ycwa.org.
‘Project Archaeology’ workshop
A "Project Archaeology" workshop for educators will be June 13-14 in Greenville at the Duncan Museum and Art Gallery. Project Archaeology is part of a national heritage education program introducing students to the process of archaeology and teaches them to appreciate America’s cultural heritage. It supports the K-12 curriculum with hands-on activities. For more information, contact Shara Snodgrass at (270) 338-2605.
KAHPERD workshop in June
The Kentucky Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance will hold its Summer Physical Education Workshop June 9-10 in Louisville at Highland Middle School. Registration deadline is June 1.
Kentucky History Education Conference
The annual Kentucky History Education Conference, “Abraham Lincoln and Kentucky,” will be July 9 in Frankfort, including sessions exploring content, resources and teaching ideas. Presenters receive free registration to the conference and 50 student admissions to the museums of the Kentucky Historical Society. For more information or a proposal form, contact Vicky Middleswarth at (502) 564-1792.
The Contested Legacy of Jefferson Davis
Kentucky native Jefferson Davis is the topic of a symposium June 27 at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort. Civil War scholar and author William J. Cooper will be the keynote speaker. Events include two topical panels and a roundtable discussion. Registration deadline is June 20. For more information, contact Julia Curry at (502) 564-1792, ext. 4414.
Penn State Science Workshops for Educators
The Penn State Science Workshops for Educators offer innovative ways to teach science, information on new science research, content-rich material and standards-based activities. Grade 6-12 educators will work with Penn State faculty, many of whom are involved with NASA-sponsored research. Application deadline is May 31. For more information, contact Leah Bug.
Study of Tolerance and Diversity
Cultural, literary and political themes come to life in the Study of Tolerance and Diversity June 23-30 in Dublin, Ireland. Three graduate credit hours are offered through Cardinal Stritch University with the professional development opportunity designed to show educators how to enrich student understanding of tolerance and diversity. For more information, contact Kerry Ninneman at (303) 393-8688.
Middle School Association
The Kentucky Middle School Association (KMSA) annual conference will be held Sept. 21-23 in Louisville. Keynote speaker will be Sharon Faber, and there also will be sessions by the 2008 Schools to Watch, content area strands and more than 30 exhibitors.
Forestry, Entomology leadership program
High school juniors and seniors can apply to the Kentucky Forest and Entomology Leadership Program, June 2-6, near Somerset. Students will experience forestry, civil engineering, entomology, soil science, wildlife habitat assessment and water quality. Registration deadline is May 16. For more information, contact Doug McLaren or click here for forestry. For entomology, contact Blake Newton or click here.
RTC annual conference
Early Childhood Regional Training Centers (RTC) are having an annual conference June 9-11 in Lexington. RTCs are funded through KDE and provide professional development and technical assistance for early childhood educators. For more information, contact Carole Sindelar at (270) 586-2008.
Behavior Institute 2008
The annual Behavior Institute is June 23-25 in Lexington, sponsored by KDE, the Kentucky Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (KyCCBD), the Kentucky Center for School Safety (KCSS), the Kentucky Center for Instruction Discipline (KyCID) and Kentuckians Encouraging Youth to Succeed (KEYS). Registration is due by June 1.
KySTE summer conference
“Putting the Pieces Together” is the theme for this year’s Kentucky Society for Technology in Education (KySTE) Summer Conference, June 11-13, in Cold Spring, featuring three strands consisting of Technical, Instructional Technology and Technology Leadership. Early registration is open through May 15.
KATH annual conference
The Kentucky Association of Teachers of History (KATH) will hold its annual conference, themed “Tradition and Transforming: Teaching East Asian History in a Global Setting,” Sept. 26-27 in Frankfort. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Roger Daniels. As well as other speakers, there will be free classroom materials for teachers.
KRA fall conference
Kentucky Reading Association’s “Literacy for a Lifetime” will be Sept. 25-27 in Louisville. Click here to access proposal forms, registration and vendor applications. Proposal forms must be postmarked by May 31. For more information, contact Tammy Board at (859) 749-3814.
FTE conference for new economics teachers
The Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis-Louisville Branch will host “The Right Start: An Institute for New and Beginning Teachers of High School Economics” June 9-12 at Rough River State Resort Park. Registration deadline is May 31. For more information, contact KCEE at 800-I DO ECON or e-mail info@econ.org.
Check the KDE Professional Development Bulletin Board for additional opportunities.
Educators Wanted, Call for Proposals and Presenters
KCM looking for new math coaches
The Kentucky Center for Mathematics (KCM) is accepting applications for a new cadre of coaches for the 2008-09 school year. The KCM coaching program is a long-term initiative for improving the teaching and learning of mathematics in K-12 Kentucky schools. KCM will pay for all expenses associated with attendance and training sessions and the Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Kentucky Teaching and Learning conferences. Application deadline is May 30.
Grants, awards and contests
KATH writing contest
The Kentucky Association of Teachers of History (KATH) invites teachers to submit papers written by high school students on history-related topics. The Anita Sanford Tolson high school writing award winner will receive a certificate and cash award of $100. The deadline for papers is May 30. The winner will be honored at the annual KATH conference held September 27 in Frankfort. For more information contact Kate Hesseldenz at (502) 564-1792, ext. 4477 or at kate.hesseldenz@ky.gov.
'Save Our History' grants
Museums, historic sites, historical societies, preservation organizations, libraries and archives are invited to partner with a local school or youth group and apply for funding to help preserve the history of their communities. Each year, The History Channel awards grants of up to $10,000 to organizations across the country that partner with schools or youth groups on community preservation projects that engage students in learning about, documenting and preserving the history of their communities.
Scholarships for students of school transportation staff
The Southeastern States Pupil Transportation Conference is awarding two $1,000 student scholarships in Kentucky. The scholarship funds must be used to cover education expenses at a postsecondary educational institution and will be paid to the institution in support of a student’s 2008-09 school year expenses. To qualify, a family must have a gross taxable income less than $75,000 for each of the past five tax years. A parent/guardian of the student must have been actively employed in public school transportation for the past five years. The local district selection committee may submit one applicant to the state. Applications are due May 15. For more information, contact Kay Kennedy at (502)564-5279.
KAAC accepting nominations
The Kentucky Association for Assessment Coordinators (KAAC) is accepting nominations for the District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) and Building Assessment Coordinator (BAC) of the Year awards. Nominations must be postmarked by May 16.
Gov. Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame
Nominations are being accepted for the 2009 class of inductees into the Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame. The deadline is June 30. For more information, contact Cathie Bryant at (270) 745-4664.
Journalism Teacher awards program
The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, Inc. will select one National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year, four Distinguished Advisers and several Special Recognition Advisers in the annual National High School Journalism Teacher Awards Program. Applications and supporting materials most be postmarked by July 1.
Community/school partnership case study competition
In conjunction with the Effective Education Partnerships Conference in Fairfax, Va., a case study competition is open to anyone involved in building community/school partnerships. Cash prizes will be awarded. Entries are due May 15. For more information, contact Brett Pawlowski at (704) 944-3134.
Kentucky Teacher of the Year
Nominations are being accepted for the 2009 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by KDE and Ashland Inc. Teachers can be nominated online or by filling out a print nomination form, due by May 15, which appeared in the April issue of Kentucky Teacher. For more information, contact Donna Melton.
Internet Youth Safety Award
The Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) and the Kentucky Center for School Safety (KCSS) are accepting nominations for the inaugural Internet Youth Safety Empowerment Award, in conjunction with the 14th annual Safe Schools, Successful Students conference, Oct. 6-7, in Louisville. The award is open to Kentucky public elementary, middle and high school students and their related Internet safety programs. Nominations are due by July 31.
Educational Opportunities
Speed Museum celebrates Asian culture
The Speed Art Museum will be hosting a series of events in honor of its annual celebration of local Asian cultures for families May 10, from noon to 3 p.m. Families can enjoy the arts and traditions of countries across Asia including China, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Samoa and Vietnam including traditional music and dance performances, informational displays, hands-on experiences and games. For more information, call (502) 634-2700 or visit the museum’s Web site.
LCT to present ‘Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse’
Lexington Children’s Theatre will present “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse” several times in the coming weeks. Public showings are set for May 4, 10 and 11 at 2 p.m. and May 10 at 7 p.m. School showings will be May 6-9 at 10 and 11:45 a.m. with regional performances in Middlesboro and Morehead. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (859) 254-4546, ext. 247.
Education Outreach performances
The Kentucky Repertory Theatre’s Education Outreach Performances for the fall will feature the following productions in Horse Cave:
· "Abraham Lincoln," Aug. 22-Nov. 1
· "To Kill a Mockingbird," Oct. 3-Nov. 15
· "Amadeus," Oct. 24–Nov. 15
· "King Lear," Nov. 21–Dec. 4
For more information, contact Kentucky Repertory Theatre at (800) 342-2177.
'With Malice Toward None’
The Kentucky Repertory Theatre at Horse Cave is booking sites for its nationwide tour of "With Malice Toward None," a multimedia production highlighting Lincoln's speeches, letters and dramatic episodes set in Civil War times. School and districts with auditorium space to stage the production or access to a local performing arts center can book a performance between Feb. 10 and March 22, 2009, at a discounted rate. For more information, contact (800) 342-2177.
Resources
Online magazine for teachers
Ohio State University and the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) have launched an online magazine for teachers in the early grades. The National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded publication, “Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears” is designed to help teachers develop knowledge of the Arctic and Antarctica and to use best practices to integrate science and literacy instruction around polar themes. Click here for more information.
'Google Earth Lessons'
"Google Earth Lessons" is a free public resource by teachers to give other educators tools and ideas for using the free Google Earth software in their classrooms. A section called "Google Earth How-tos" gives educators the basic skills needed for the software, and a discussion section includes threads for exchanging ideas on a variety of topics.
Agriculture Science Kit
Teachers can purchase kits to conduct experiments, investigations and activities in their classrooms offered in the Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom’s Mobile Science Activity Center. All activities are targeted for 4th and 5th grades and have been aligned to Kentucky’s Core Content for Assessment. One kit can be used for classroom demonstrations. The other kit includes enough materials for 30 students to participate in activities. More information and kit prices are online.
Due to harmful chemical pesticides, ospreys failed to nest in Kentucky for about 50 years. Ospreys can now be seen successfully nesting in Kentucky on the Internet. Kentucky Environmental Education Projects (KEEP) has a new, improved osprey camera providing excellent live views of nesting ospreys. The osprey cam nest is at Lake Barkley and provides a unique and educational viewing opportunity.
Kentucky land-use planning maps for teachers
New geology maps are available for all Kentucky counties from the Kentucky Geological Survey to help students and the general public better understand the geology of where they live and how the rocks that form the land may affect human activities. County maps have been generalized, illustrated and supplemented with text to explain geologic issues in each county. For more information, contact Dan Carey at (859) 257-5500, ext. 157.
Mobile Science Activity Center
Visits from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Mobile Science Activity Center are being scheduled for the 2008-09 school year. The center is geared toward students in grades 3-5 but has activities for grades K-6. It is a 44-foot long trailer with 10 workstations for a classroom of students to conduct activities and investigations related to agriculture and the environment. For more information, contact John Parrish at (270) 339-4502 or Rayetta Boone at (502) 564-4696.
KET EncycloMedia
This Internet-based comprehensive learning service is free to Kentucky public schools. It is the result of a partnership between Kentucky Educational Television and the Kentucky Department of Education. It offers teachers and students more than 4,000 videos, 40,000 video clips and thousands of digital images, all searchable by keyword, content area, grade level and Kentucky academic standards.
Kentucky Teacher
The Kentucky Department of Education keeps people informed about the good things happening in Kentucky schools through its professional development publication, "Kentucky Teacher."
Online KDE Bookstore
Buying publications, compact discs and videotapes about the state's education system has been made simpler by the opening of the Online KDE Bookstore.
For Parents
The Kentucky Department of Education has a Web site, "For Parents," that gives parents of Kentucky schoolchildren one-stop access to education information, resources and "ParentInfo" e-mail updates.
Scholarship information
Find helpful scholarship information and tips to avoid scholarship scams.