American College of Education Celebrates National Teacher Appreciation Week
Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) April 24, 2014 -- American College of Education joins thousands of communities in celebrating the upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week of May 5-9.
“Few other professionals touch as many people as teachers do, and we are privileged to work with teachers every day to help them reach their career goals,” said American College of Education Interim President Shawntel Landry. “Educators contribute to communities every day across our nation, and even our globe, which is why we honor them as well as the commitment, enthusiasm and hard work of all educators — past, present and future.”
Celebrating teachers on a national level began in 1953 when Eleanor Roosevelt first proposed that Congress set aside a day to acknowledge the work of educators. Since 1985, the National Education Association has celebrated teachers during the first full week of May with that week’s Tuesday being reserved as National Teacher Day. Landry added, “This special week is the opportunity to show appreciation to teachers for not only their daily effort, but also the education that our children receive thanks to them. American College of Education is proud to play a crucial role in helping teachers make sure every student receives a quality education.”
American College of Education offers Master of Education degree programs for teachers and other educators in addition to certificates, paths to licensure and doctoral level programs. “We are proud to be the first online graduate school for educators that fulfills the promise of earning a quality, online degree on a teacher’s budget,” commented Landry. The college is known for high academic standards, innovative programs and quality student support.
Last year, nearly 1,000 educators participated in the National Education Association’s online poll, asking teachers, "What do you want for National Teacher Day?" The leading responses indicate that teachers still appreciate thank you cards, flowers and drawings from their students, but teachers also expressed growing concern and frustration with high stakes testing and the lack of classroom autonomy. According to those participating in the online poll, the best "thank you" would be to trust in the teachers’ capabilities in the classroom, stop the standardized testing mania, pay them a well-deserved salary and offer smaller classes for the opportunity to give more individualized attention.
American College of Education’s programs and training bring tools to teachers that they immediately can use in their classrooms to improve the education for their students. “A high percentage of new teachers (45 percent) abandon the profession within their first five years,” commented Landry. “We make it a priority to reach out to these new teachers to help them not only improve their careers but also improve the education for their students.”
A demographic divide between America’s predominantly white, female teaching force and an increasingly diverse student body continues to grow. American College of Education continuously seeks ways to integrate all cultures in curriculum settings as well as having a virtual, flexible classroom that helps teachers fit continued learning into their busy schedules.
“We know more teachers believe that collaborating with colleagues is essential to their work, but many districts still don’t provide time for teachers to learn and share with others,” added Landry. “American College of Education is one of the best ways to collaborate not only with colleagues but with professors and cultures across the globe in a time that best fits our teachers’ busy schedules.”
According to the National Education Association, nearly 40 percent of those entering America’s classrooms today are coming from other careers. “We address this issue as well because we offer continued, targeted training for certificates and licensing programs that aide those teachers without an education background,” Landry said.
Nearly all classrooms (97 percent) have one or more computers, but half of the nation’s teachers say they need training to better use the computers in the classrooms—and such support is unevenly distributed across schools. Landry confirms that American College of Education has a specialized program educating teachers on how to effectively integrate technology into classroom instruction.
“Of all the concerns brought forward from our teachers over the past few years, the salary continues to lag behind those for other occupations requiring a college degree, and this is where our advanced degrees and programs can help teachers narrow the gap,” said Landry. “Not only do we help with degrees and other certificates, but we help teachers converse and evaluate new opportunities in their career field as well.”
To be a part of Teacher Appreciation Week or National Teacher Day, follow American College of Education on Facebook and Twitter. Landry added, “We look forward to joining in the #thankateacher hashtag movement.”
Jennifer Morisato, American College of Education, http://www.ace.edu, +1 (972) 861-2412, [email protected]
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