Middle StatesA Note from Middle States Region VP Bob Alig
Found in Middle States News
Apr. 2013
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VP Bob Alig |
Dear Colleagues:
Our Middle States team and I are still energized by connecting with so many of you at our Middle States Regional Forum in mid-February! I am indebted to our regional council for an amazing conference and for its commitment to providing robust sessions that would ensure that all those attending would walk away with viable, practical ways to advance student achievement across our region. It was gratifying to see more than 700 educators and students taking full advantage of the many opportunities to learn, to be inspired, and to connect with peers and colleagues.
The forum began with inspiring remarks by New York City Department of Education Chancellor Dennis Walcott. Chancellor Walcott emphasized the importance of focusing on the students in our care. His words had a special resonance as we listened with appreciation to the string quintet from the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.
Middle States Educators and Industry Professionals Gather for Annual Regional Conference
Found in Middle States News
Apr. 2013
The Middle States Regional Forum was held Feb. 13–15 at the Marriott Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn, N.Y. The theme, “Collaborate! A Blueprint for Student Success,” allowed for great discussions about academic rigor, college readiness and the higher education landscape. Industry professionals from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia gathered to share best practices and discuss critical issues in education. Day one kicked off with a keynote address from Ken Kay, the chief executive officer of EdLeader21. His presentation, “Defining 21st-Century Student Success and Making It Happen,” addressed the pivotal roles that the K–12 and higher education communities play in preparing students to graduate with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a more competitive global environment.
STEM Educators Focus at the Middle States Regional Forum
Found in Middle States News
Apr. 2013
The NY STEM Educator Series on Feb. 14, 2013, was a new additon to the Middle States Regional Forum, which was held at the Marriott New York at the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn. This special series of forum sessions focused on topics to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and included 12 STEM workshops, ranging from “Introducing Engineering into Your STEM Curriculum” to “Best Practices for Building STEM Partnerships.”
Ninety-four teachers from the NY STEM Advanced Coursework Program, a multiyear professional development program sponsored by the New York State Education Department and the College Board, attended sessions and a gala awards luncheon where they were recognized for their acheivements. They also had the opportunity to attend a reception with refreshments and games in the Grand Ballroom at the end of the day.
Closing Plenary – Communicating with Students
Found in Middle States News
Apr. 2013
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The Middle States Regional Forum culminated with the “Breaking Through: Communicating with Students in a Noisy World” plenary session, featuring a panel of four experts with unique perspectives on communicating with students. The College Board’s own Roy Ben-Yoseph, architect of BigFuture™, the College Board’s new online college search tool, moderated the panel and elicited some riveting and thought-provoking ideas from the panelists .
Erik Medina, vice president of TRU, a youth research and insights firm, broke down some of the communication myths that colleges and universities have a tendency to promulgate. Medina drew particular attention to the fact that schools often promote items and endeavors that are important to internal audiences but may not resonate with prospective students. Authentic communication gets lost in the disconnect between “talking at” and “talking with,” he said.
College Readiness Week Recap
Found in Middle States News
Apr. 2013
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On Feb. 11, the Middle States Regional Office kicked off its first College Readiness Week. More than 150 educators and students from across New York City attended a screening of the award-winning documentary film First Generation at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU’s Pfizer Auditorium in Brooklyn. Following the film, a panel featuring a college admission counselor, a high school counselor, a college freshman and a high school senior engaged with the audience in a conversation about the college-going process. Regional council member and dean of admissions at Columbia University Peter Johnson moderated the panel. Many of the more than 100 students in attendance (including 20 middle school students) were first-generation college-going students and were able to relate to the students showcased in the film. They asked meaningful and thoughtful questions relating to their current situations and concerns. The entire audience was engaged, responsive and appreciative of the opportunity to learn and share with each other.
Sara Graybeal Named Middle States Regional Recipient of Bob Costas Grant for the Teaching of Writing
Found in Middle States News
Apr. 2013
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Sara Graybeal, a senior community projects coordinator at YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School in Pennsylvania, is one of six recipients of the 2013 Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing. The grant recognizes exceptional teachers for using innovative methods to inspire their students to write. The award was created to support teachers and to thank Bob Costas, the Emmy Award–winning broadcaster and author, for his generous public service work on behalf of the National Commission on Writing. Each winner receives a grant of $3,000 to support her or his innovative work. Graybeal founded “Page to Stage,” a poetry team of students who also write and share their poetry in an online forum. Last year, the students’ poetry was published in a chapbook by a city-based publishing company. The grant will help provide students with the opportunity to attend writing workshops and publish more of their writing.
