University
of Phoenix® College of Education, the Council
of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National
Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) will host the 2015
National Teacher of the Year Conference in Phoenix from Tuesday, Feb. 17
through Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. The National Teacher of the Year (NTOY)
program identifies the best teachers in the country, and empowers them
to participate in policy discussions at state and national levels.
During the conference, the nation’s top educators will discuss critical
issues facing K-12 education and will shape their platforms for the
year, prior to heading to Washington, D.C. to spend time on Capitol Hill
and meet the President. They will participate in presentations and
discussions about standards and assessment; teacher preparation and
training; advocacy and policy; and instructional technology and
innovation in the classroom.
The week will culminate with an Education
Summit that is open to all Arizona educators on Saturday, Feb. 21,
at the University
of Phoenix Campus in Tempe. Workshops will be facilitated by
previous State Teachers of the Year and Nationally Board Certified
Teachers. Topics for the workshops include leadership, technology,
social media and national board certification. Attendees will also earn
professional development hours.
“The Teachers of the Year have demonstrated their abilities to be
dynamic and innovative in their teaching methods, and they represent the
tremendous opportunities that exist in the classroom today,” said Pamela
Roggeman, Ed.D., academic dean of University of Phoenix College of
Education. “University of Phoenix College of Education is honored to
host these talented educators, and to help facilitate discussions that
can play critical roles in the continued development of our nation’s
classroom teachers.”
For more than 60 years, the CCSSO has coordinated the National Teacher
of the Year Program, working with the U.S. states, territories, the
District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
The CCSSO spends one year training the State Teachers of the Year in
media, policy, and advocacy, providing them with numerous opportunities
to build the skills they will need during their year of service and
beyond.
"These teachers of the year have been chosen as exceptional
professionals in their states, and I know that they represent all great
teachers around the country who are engaged in the important work of
educating our children,” said Chris Minnich, executive director of the
Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). “CCSSO is proud to run
the National Teacher of the Year program, and to elevate the voice of
these exemplary individuals.”
“NNSTOY is honored to work with both University of Phoenix and CCSSO to
host this week’s annual initial meeting of the 2015 State Teachers of
the Year,” said Katherine Bassett, executive director and CEO of the
National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY), and the New
Jersey State Teacher of the Year 2000. “NNSTOY is the professional home
for State and National Teachers of the Year and Finalists - teachers
leading in policy, practice and advocacy. This first meeting of our
newest members, the class of 2015, provides critical grounding for their
advocacy.”
About University of Phoenix College of Education
University
of Phoenix® College of Education has been educating teachers and
school administrators for more than 30 years. The College of Education
provides associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs for
individuals who want to become teachers or current educators and
administrators seeking advanced degrees to strengthen their professional
knowledge. With education programs available throughout most of the
U.S., the College of Education has a distinct grasp of the national
education picture and priorities for teacher preparation. Faculty
members on average bring more than 17 years of professional experience
to the classroom. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu/education.
About The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan,
nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head
departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the
District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and
five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership,
advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The
Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses
their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies,
Congress, and the public.
About The National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY)
The National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) is a
non-profit organization serving as a professional home to State
Teachers of the Year (STOYs) and State Teacher of the Year
Finalists, in what is labeled their years of service following their
Year of Recognition serving as their STOY. NNSTOY provides active and
meaningful roles for members, in furthering great teaching and
strengthening student learning. This is done through three critical
vehicles: Policy, Practice, and Advocacy.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults
move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world.
Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive
learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal
aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo
Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:
APOL), University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population,
offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs
from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online
throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.
Copyright Business Wire 2015