Subject: TR@TC Induction I Holiday Newsletter I Dec-Jan

Induction and Beyond

Holiday 2020 I TR@TC Induction Newsletter

A message from TR@TC...


The last month of a most unprecedented and challenging year is upon us. Many of us have been pushed, pulled, and stretched in ways that have made us uncomfortable, in ways that have invited us to collectively reevaluate “truths” we have held close for most of our lives, in ways that have forced us to dig deep into our core strengths. Most of us are grieving a loss, be it of a loved one, a way of life, or a charted path that no longer exists. And yet, through all these trials and tribulations, a large number of people have also reconnected with themselves, found new and creative ways to celebrate each other, and have expanded their knowledge base in ways they never thought possible. With this in mind, we approach the end of 2020, with an invitation to focus on hope. Hope, because to be hopeful is to allow ourselves to push past negativity, see opportunities within challenges, and dream of a better future in which all can prosper and find fulfillment. 


Here's to a New Year in which our hearts are of full of hope and our minds are brimming with ideas and possibilities


Yours in appreciation,


Julissa Diloné

TR@TC Induction


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Induction Highlights

Alumna Olivia Drabczyk, TR@TC Alumna, and veteran teacher has decided to run for City Council in District 51 (Staten Island). We wish you the best of luck with this new endeavor. If you are interested in learning more about her efforts, click here.


Disclaimer: This is not a political endorsement, rather a sharing of alumni endeavors and accomplishments

Special Thanks to ALL our Induction Mentors!

Despite all of the disruptions that have impacted their ability to carry out the important work of supporting early career teachers, our Induction Mentors have not missed a beat! As schools transitioned to the remote space in the winter of 2020, our mentors quickly shifted to video check-ins and virtual visits, modified support plans, and increased their outreach to ensure that alumni were well-supported both professionally and emotionally, during these challenging times.


Some have worked with their mentees to support teacher advocacy efforts, others have participated in our 2020 Admissions Institute as observers, organizers, thought-partners, and guest co-facilitators (alongside former mentees -Thank you Martha St.Jean and Vincent Pham).


Your unwavering commitment to our alumni is deeply appreciated!


Pictured Here: Robert Robinson + Jen Wang during their Fall, 2020 Socially Distanced Check-in


Note: To ensure safety, virtual check-ins are prioritized, the decision to meet in person is left to the discretion of mentors and their mentees, with suggested CDC safety measures.

Raising Consciousness


This Thursday, December 3rd, Success in Motion, in partnership with the TR@TC Program, will be offering a PILOT session, focused on racial literacy. All teaching professionals are welcome to this FREE session- and encouraged to offer feedback, as we work to develop a series that is responsive to the needs of the 21st century curriculum. Join us as Wendy Greene, one of the world’s leading legal experts on “grooming codes discrimination,” and Founder of the #FreeTheHair movement; Professor Wendy Greene will discuss her legal scholarship and public advocacy combating race-based discrimination African descendants suffer in workplaces, schools, and other spaces when they don natural hairstyles like twists, braids, afros, and locs. Professor Greene will also explore landmark U.S. legal reforms such as the C.R.O.W.N. Acts (Creating a Respectful and Open World Acts), which redress this systematic form of racial discrimination and are transforming anti-discrimination laws and policies.


https://zoom.us/j/3253611874

Meeting ID: 325 361 1874

Feedback Link

Targeted Universalism: Our Path Forward - "We are in a period of tremendous social disruption... This extended moment has the potential to be a catalyst for changes that many organizers, educators, activists, and policymakers have been working toward for generations. We are in the middle of a bridge from what was to what might be — we are in a liminal space..." Read more...

How To Keep Advocates of Inclusion From Burning Out

"As a result of today's volatile social environment, we're witnessing historic levels of anxiety: 83% of Americans say our nation's future is a significant source of stress, the highest ever reported...Advocates for inclusion are particularly susceptible to increased levels of anxiety since we tend to take on other people's experiences as empathetic allies..." Read more...


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Teacher Grant Opportunities

We are thrilled to announce another year of TR@TC Alumni Grants! Please email jad2222@tc.columbia.edu with subject line: Alumni Grant Inquiry, to learn more about how you can take advantage of this funding.

Advisory to New Applicants: We currently are prioritizing COVID-19 projects as well as other projects that can be completed in the near term without much traveling. Given the severe travel restrictions in place, please hold off on submitting proposals unless you have a high degree of confidence that the project field work can be completed relatively soon and without risking your safety and the safety of others. Thank you for your understanding and stay safe!

Curriculum Tools

We've really enjoyed listening to, and learning from Cult of Pedagogy's founder, Jennifer Gonzalez and her featured guests. Below are a few segments that might be of interest:


New! Connecting Students in a Disconnected World


Curriculum Planning and other Instructional Tools

  • Amplifier - Free Poster Downloads

  • EdPuzzle - Need to help your students catch up on missing lessons? Try Edpuzzle, where you can create review videos for just about any type of lesson.

  • Financial Literacy - Check out this new educator's resource from Financial Peace University.

  • (The) Libby - Borrow and read ebooks and audiobooks online

  • Mindmeister - Online brainstorming, categorizing and mind-mapping made easy.

  • Prioritizing Student Voice - Feedback survey ideas aimed at helping to improve connection, engagement, and student agency. Read more...

  • The New York Historical Society - Special Offer for Teachers and Students! Receive FREE tickets with code EDU1220 for China in the 21st Century featuring Dan Blumenthal and Roger Hertog

  • Newsela - Are you a TR@TC Alumni interested in a Newsela premium trial membership? Contact us at teaching.residents@tc.edu

  • Streamed Performances: A special offer for educators -  El Repertorio Español is now offering their popular productions of The House of Bernarda AlbaBoxcar and more as streamed performances that your students can access on their website.

  • Virtual Learning Tools and Strategies - Click here to view curated resources from New Vision's remote learning toolkit.


Sharing Credits: Jvon Alexander, Andy Sullivan

Workshops of Interest

  • Instructional Routines Interactive Workshop: New Visions Virtual Learning - Registration is now open for the Instructional Routines interactive December 9th, 2020 workshop. During this session, we will continue to focus on promoting the value of student voice through cross content routines, and to explore ways for students to develop a positive learner identity.

  • Birthright Citizens: A History of Race and Rights in Antebellum America: Wednesday, December 2nd 12:00-1:15pm ET - Read more...

  • The Danielson Group: Teaching and Observing in the Remote Environment - Dec. 8th, 10th, 15th, and 17th (2-day courses). Learn more....

  • Let's Talk About Race, Baby - Free course offered through UCLA


Sharing credits: Elaine Perlman

Student Engagement and Connection

A helping hand for BLM at School:

BLM@School appears to have become a target of anti-LGBTQ groups who have posted a number of 1-star reviews on Amazon.com. If you are using their resources, please help by doing the following:

  1. REPORT the 1-star reviews as abuse

  2. UPVOTE positive reviews as "helpful"

  3. Leave a POSITIVE REVIEW about the book if you've read it.

  4. ASK your colleagues to do the same.


If you don't have the book, here is where you can order it:


Bookshop

Barnes & Noble

Indiebound

Amazon


BLM at schools

TR@TC Literary Spotlight

In addition to the texts highlighted below, we would like to share an offer from Berrett-Koehler Publishers: Buy 2, get 1 free for Thom Hartmann's Hidden Stories Series. Offer expires on 12/1/2020. Learn more...


Check out bookshop.org for many more books for educators and students.

Excerpt from Synopsis - A young Asian girl notices that her eyes look different from her peers'. They have big, round eyes and long lashes. She realizes that her eyes are like her mother's, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. They have eyes that kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea, crinkle into crescent moons, and are filled with stories of the past and hope for the future...


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Excerpt from Synopsis - The Body Is Not an Apology offers radical self-love as the balm to heal the wounds inflicted by these violent systems. World-renowned activist and poet Sonya Renee Taylor invites us to reconnect with the radical origins of our minds and bodies and celebrate our collective, enduring strength...


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Excerpt from Synopsis- Which acts by educators are "racist" and which are "antiracist"? How can an educator constructively discuss complex issues of race with students and colleagues? In Everyday Antiracism, leading educators deal with the most challenging questions about race in school, offering invaluable and effective advice...


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Teacher Wellness Resources

A note from the author:  "...Fewer Things, Better will help you challenge the correlation between hours worked and effectiveness. It’s not about how much you’re working; it’s what you’re focusing on. As you read, you’ll gain clarity on what’s most important in every aspect of your life and work so you can allocate time to your biggest priorities. You’ll deepen the courage it takes to live with intentionality, so you can do more of what you love and let go of habits and expectations which aren’t serving you well..."


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Missed out November 11th Selfcare Session? Not to worry! You can still access resources via this link.

Join us the SECOND Tuesday of every month

UFT Corner


  • Education in the Time of COVID - We want to be sure that you are feeling supported as you navigate all the uncertainty surrounding this school year. To that end, Amy Nelson, TR@TC Induction Mentor, Seasoned Educator, UFT Chapter Leader, and Teacher Sustainability Advocate has created a #KnowYourRights guide. Click here

  • Businesses Who Love Teachers - Special thanks to Stephanie Rivera (TR@TC Class of 2019) for sharing this amazing list of discounts for teachers. Click here to access.

  • PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION - Are you ready to apply for your Professional Certification? Email jad2222@tc.columbia.edu for more information about this important career milestone.

  • NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION - After completing your 3rd year of teaching, you may want to apply for this advanced and prestigious certification. Devon Shaw, a TR@TC Alumnus, is leading National Board Certification workshops, through TR@TC. Email him at shaw.dts@gmail.com for details.

Excerpt from Synopsis: An anthology of more than 60 articles documenting the history and the how-tos of social justice unionism. Together, they describe the growing movement to forge multiracial alliances with communities to defend and transform public education.


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Get Your TC Alumni ID and Stay Connected!

  • Reserve rooms in the TC Library  (once campus re-opens)

  • Activate your permanent gmail account

  • Access partner discounts

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