New program helps teachers

A group of approximately 30 educators met twice this month to learn how to review prospective teachers' portfolios. The pilot program at the IU School of Education was one of IU's reactions to changes in Indiana standards to require classroom teachers to be involved in the evaluation process of licensing new educators.\n"The two-day workshop (focused) on training our mentor teachers to act as second readers of their apprentices' final portfolio submissions, the point at which it is decided whether they merit receiving a teaching license," said Thomas Gregory, IU professor of education and director of the Community of Teachers program in a recent press release. The pilot program was financed by a Title II grant from the Indiana Professional Standards Board.\nOn July 9 and 16, teachers came from various parts of the state to discuss the reviewing process for teachers. The first seminar's goal was to get participants accustomed to the goals of the Community of Teachers portfolio, the evaluating of folders and their roles as educators in the reviewing process. At the second seminar, teachers discussed the evaluations they prepared and took part in a debriefing. Finally, participants designed a related program that is to take place next year. \nAmong the educators on hand was Sarah Erb, an English teacher at Aurora Alternative High School in Bloomington.\n"Reviewing the portfolios and being a part of the process is showing (the apprentices) they have earned their right to become teachers," Erb said. "It's a good way for teachers to get together who are interested and involved in education."\nMike Spock, a math and computer teacher at Columbus North High School was also involved in the pilot program activities.\n"This was set up for having mentor teachers in the classroom," Spock said. "It's great to get a group of teachers interested in change and the education process. It's a good collaborating environment."\nErb said overall, the changes in the law allow educators to be more involved in the world of education.\n"It's getting us to come together. This really gives us the opportunity to impose change in the education system"