Illinois Teachers Chatboard – Teachers.Net

Join Teachers.Net

chatboardsgroups

Chatboards

Recent Groups

IL Teachers

MEMBERS

9 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

ALLAll Teachers

Teachers.Net LIVE CHAT Support group - Tues eve!

Featured Jobs

Full-timeMontessori Teacher

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

TemporaryTeachers, rural schools

Peace River North School District

Full-timeHead Teacher: 2nd/3rd Grades – Mills College Children’s School

Teaching Jobs on Teachers.Net

Featured Job special only $39!

https://teachers.net/jobs

Become a Teachers.Net sponsor!

Illinois Teachers Chatboard

In Anyone Doing A Mock Election

by Leslie

Sep 15, 2010

I recently received an email about a mock election program called Illinois Student Vote. Has anyone done this program before? If so, thoughts? Here is what they sent me...

ILLINOIS STUDENT VOTE: Making Democracy Work!

Illinois Student Vote, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Illinois, offers teachers and students an oppo...See MoreI recently received an email about a mock election program called Illinois Student Vote. Has anyone done this program before? If so, thoughts? Here is what they sent me...

ILLINOIS STUDENT VOTE: Making Democracy Work!

Illinois Student Vote, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Illinois, offers teachers and students an opportunity to explore the election process using non- partisan materials. Participating schools and classes undertake activities to study the candidates and issues of the 2010 election. Participating teachers receive age- appropriate curriculum to help their students debate current events, integrate government studies with reading and math, and develop critical thinking skills. Students will then be able to make informed decisions as they vote for candidates in a simulated election in the fall.

Illinois Student Vote targets students of all grade levels in the state of Illinois. Teachers can pick and choose from an assortment of hands-on activities that can be integrated into any reading, social studies or civics curriculum and which are designed to encourage students to develop critical thinking skills, to integrate the democratic process with other learning and to discuss the political process in the classroom and at home. The curriculum culminates with the mock election in the fall of 2010. To register your class or school, visit illinoisstudentvote.org.

The United States of America has the lowest rate of voter participation of any of the world's democracies. There are 70.2 million Americans under the age of 18 today, the largest generation of young people in our country's history. If present trends continue, most of these children and youth will not go to the polls and vote when they are of voting age.

The League of Women Voters of Illinois sponsors illinoisstudentvote.org because of our belief that voting is essential to a democracy. The League is a strong proponent of getting young people out to vote. By participating in the mock election, students receive hands-on experience in the voting process which will prepare them for an active role in our democracy.

endorsement rejection

by Jai

Sep 24, 2010

I completed my hrs that ISBE said I was deficient in for a high school endorsement. They only counted 5 credit hours and I had 15 hrs. The letter they sent does not tell you what classes they counted or did not count. I am quite sure that these classes would count. Any suggestions to get them to count those classes??

view previous comments

sped On 9/24/10, Jai wrote: > I completed my hrs that ISBE said I was deficient in for a > high school endorsement. They only counted 5 credit hours > and I had 15 hrs. The letter they sent does not tell you > what classes they counted or did not count. I am quite sure > that these classes would count. Any suggestions to get them > to ...See MoreOn 9/24/10, Jai wrote: > I completed my hrs that ISBE said I was deficient in for a > high school endorsement. They only counted 5 credit hours > and I had 15 hrs. The letter they sent does not tell you > what classes they counted or did not count. I am quite sure > that these classes would count. Any suggestions to get them > to count those classes??

It's hard to say exactly what happened with the information provided. They should have sent you another deficiency statement which would show you what you still need to complete, which by default, should tell you which credits they accepted.

I will mention that ISBE works in semester credit hours, not quarter hours, so that may have been a factor. You also may try sending in the university's course description, along with the transcript, and if necessary, a letter of your own describing what you're looking to have the courses recognized as.

When I was adding an English endorsement, I had some classes on my transcript which had a course number identified with LIT for Literature. Even though the names of the classes were something like English Literature 1700-1850, Authors of the South, etc. the courses didn't count initially. The ISBE bureaucrat who evaluated the transcript only looked for ENG courses. No ENG in the course number, then it doesn't count for English. So, I wrote a letter, include the course description, spelled everything out plainly for them, and it worked out after walking them through things. Being a special ed teacher, I'm used to having to break things down very simply for my students, and at ISBE..., let's just say that's about the level of "professional" you're dealing with.

I also knew someone who came from out-of-state and went to a university with a very odd course numbering/lettering system. We actually hired her, but her transcripts gave her trouble at ISBE and even confused us on the hiring committee. Her ed classes were identified with an odd identifier like ZY or something. English courses were Qb or something very odd. None of it made sense to anyone outside of the university's bureaucracy and it must've driven ISBE mad. A special ed methodology course was identified as ZY2-4a or something similar, so she had to speak with ISBE several times before her certificate was issued.

So, don't give up, but understand that ISBE, like any Illinois state departments is not customer-friendly. You may find someone there who is personable, but the bureaucracies are not friendly... to anyone. You can call, but you're probably better off writing letters, spelling everything out, and accepting it's going to take time. Calling, in my experience, has not been useful. Basically, I speak English, and they speak Bureaucrat. They don't really understand what I'm saying, and then they say "our policy is...," and they spit out something from the computer screen they're looking at (and odds are, they don't fully understand the language of the policy they're quoting). Remember, these aren't educators, they're clerks in Springfield.

Good Luck!

Sep 25, 2010

Jai Thank you for the advice. Writing a letter to ISBE and providing the course descriptions actually worked.(thought it would be an endless battle) You saved me from spending more money on classes that I did not need. :

Oct 21, 2010

SPED endorsement

by trisha

Sep 27, 2010

Is it possible to get an endorsement in special education? It doesn't seem very clear on the ISBE website? All I see is a whole bunch of lengthy documents about certification in Sped. Thanks! Trisha.

view previous comments

sped On 12/12/10, Laura wrote: > As for federal taxes, > the standard deduction is generous enough that it was not > worth it for me to itemize when I owned a home in Florida. I > did rent it out for a couple of years at a loss, before the > bubble allowed me to sell.

It's surprising that you couldn't itemize with a rental proper...See MoreOn 12/12/10, Laura wrote: > As for federal taxes, > the standard deduction is generous enough that it was not > worth it for me to itemize when I owned a home in Florida. I > did rent it out for a couple of years at a loss, before the > bubble allowed me to sell.

It's surprising that you couldn't itemize with a rental property which was losing money. I probably could have found enough deductions to itemize and save some money. Probably not a fortune, though.

>Last year, I did have to file due process to get > him into a better school. The last advice from our former > lawyer: "Leave Chicago." I managed to mediate with the BOE > on my own, saving at least 10,000 and securing a much better > placement.

And, you're aware that you will never, ever, ever be hired back by CPS. If you were non-tenured, and employed by CPS, this is why you were not rehired. If CPS didn't cut one position, you would have not been rehired.

I am not defending the practice at all, mind you, but I am very aware of it both in CPS and suburban districts. It is best, whenever possible, to not live in the district where you teach, and certainly to not be a parent in said district. Much harder when you're in CPS, I know, but it's rough when you have to essentially sue your employer to get services for your child. With tenure, you have some protection, but without..., you're done.

> Heck, I've had seniors who were never identified for IEPs, > yet could barely read.

And they might not even need an IEP. Putting on my RTI-focused, IEP meeting chair hat, they may have not been given access to proper instruction at CPS.

Not that I want to seem like I'm bashing CPS. I worked there for 1 year when I first moved to Illinois. I was from out-of-state, and CPS was willing to hire me as a sped teacher with one interview and an out-of-state license at the time (probably wouldn't do that now, but it's a different market). I had crack-head parents. Literally, high on crack, wandering in the school, looking for little Jimmy (their kid's name is Jerome, but whatever...) I put a lot of time and hours into my kids and their education that year, but there's only so much you can do. I punched out and ran for the 'burbs at the end of one year. I was a sped teacher with the opportunity to do that. They won't make a movie about me, and I'm OK with that.

A lot of these kids don't have much of a chance, and even though their school sucks, a great, well-funded school wouldn't change all the issues they face in life.

CPS does somethings well. Their gifted academies are some of the best in the country, as are their magnet high schools, but they don't serve every kid, not by a long shot.

Good luck with the job hunt.

Dec 13, 2010

Laura On 12/13/10, sped wrote: >It's surprising that you couldn't itemize with a rental property > which was losing money. I probably could have found enough > deductions to itemize and save some money. Probably not a > fortune, though.

I think I did OK with the taxes. I recall claiming it as a capital gains loss one year right on my...See MoreOn 12/13/10, sped wrote: >It's surprising that you couldn't itemize with a rental property > which was losing money. I probably could have found enough > deductions to itemize and save some money. Probably not a > fortune, though.

I think I did OK with the taxes. I recall claiming it as a capital gains loss one year right on my 1040. It worked. While living in Florida, I worked out of my home, some of it freelance journalism, so I deducted on my Schedule C. I just couldnt deduct donations.

I've always been a little worried about suing my employer. I technically am tenured, but displaced. When my position was cut in 2009, everybody urged me to file a grievance because I had some seniority. We didnt know why my number was picked, even suspected that it might have been because of the spec ed issue, but this was before the due process. My school had disintegrated into chaos the previous year, so I accepted the layoff as a gift from God. CPS teachers cannot bump teachers from other schools, so tenured teachers get a year of pay for subbing four days a week. This year, I get a livable daily wage and full medical benefits, but I cannot even use the sick days I banked. Last year, when I filed the due process,I had one foot out the door and my middle finger in the air, which is why our attorney advised us not to invest the money. Rumor has it that tenured teachers are not being hired. I do not believe that is entirely true, but I am not worried about being on the alleged "do not hire list." I have not sent out many resumes, just enjoying the sub gigs, and updating my credentials. I suspect, however, that my online app was rated "recommended" because I got two calls out of the blue, one from a CPS school nobody ever heard of. > school, looking for little Jimmy (their kid's name is Jerome, but > whatever...) lol

I actually was subbing at a turnaround today, and am disgusted by the pointless test prep required. It's December, and the teacher was drilling "75 questions in 45 minutes" like it was MC-squared or the rules for semicolons. I told a second-year physics teacher that most schools, cps or not, would not be as bad as where she is. Thanks, again, and happy holidays.

> On 12/12/10, Laura wrote: >> As for federal taxes, >> the standard deduction is generous enough that it was not >> worth it for me to itemize when I owned a home in Florida. I >> did rent it out for a couple of years at a loss, before the >> bubble allowed me to sell. > > It's surprising that you couldn't itemize with a rental property > which was losing money. I probably could have found enough > deductions to itemize and save some money. Probably not a > fortune, though. > >>Last year, I did have to file due process to get >> him into a better school. The last advice from our former >> lawyer: "Leave Chicago." I managed to mediate with the BOE >> on my own, saving at least 10,000 and securing a much better >> placement. > > And, you're aware that you will never, ever, ever be hired back > by CPS. If you were non-tenured, and employed by CPS, this is > why you were not rehired. If CPS didn't cut one position, you > would have not been rehired. > > I am not defending the practice at all, mind you, but I am very > aware of it both in CPS and suburban districts. It is best, > whenever possible, to not live in the district where you teach, > and certainly to not be a parent in said district. Much harder > when you're in CPS, I know, but it's rough when you have to > essentially sue your employer to get services for your child. > With tenure, you have some protection, but without..., you're > done. > >> Heck, I've had seniors who were never identified for IEPs, >> yet could barely read. > > And they might not even need an IEP. Putting on my RTI-focused, > IEP meeting chair hat, they may have not been given access to > proper instruction at CPS. > > Not that I want to seem like I'm bashing CPS. I worked there for > 1 year when I first moved to Illinois. I was from out-of-state, > and CPS was willing to hire me as a sped teacher with one > interview and an out-of-state license at the time (probably > wouldn't do that now, but it's a different market). I had > crack-head parents. Literally, high on crack, wandering in the > school, looking for little Jimmy (their kid's name is Jerome, but > whatever...) I put a lot of time and hours into my kids and > their education that year, but there's only so much you can do. > I punched out and ran for the 'burbs at the end of one year. I > was a sped teacher with the opportunity to do that. They won't > make a movie about me, and I'm OK with that. > > A lot of these kids don't have much of a chance, and even though > their school sucks, a great, well-funded school wouldn't change > all the issues they face in life. > > CPS does somethings well. Their gifted academies are some of the > best in the country, as are their magnet high schools, but they > don't serve every kid, not by a long shot. > > Good luck with the job hunt.

Dec 14, 2010

Curriculum Development Grants Available

by The American Turkish Society

Sep 30, 2010

LEASE FORWARD WIDELY.

The American Turkish Society's Education Program is pleased to announce the availability of Curriculum Development Grants for 2011.

The program, which was initiated by The Society in the spring of 2010, offers funds to elementary and secondary school teachers to develop innovative curricula, projects and othe...See MoreLEASE FORWARD WIDELY.

The American Turkish Society's Education Program is pleased to announce the availability of Curriculum Development Grants for 2011.

The program, which was initiated by The Society in the spring of 2010, offers funds to elementary and secondary school teachers to develop innovative curricula, projects and other classroom activities about Turkey. The Society’s first Curriculum Development Grant was awarded to Harry A. Dawe, former Headmaster of Robert College in Istanbul and current history teacher and college counselor at the Fieldston Upper School in Bronx, New York. Mr. Dawe received support for History 181: East Meets West, for which he developed course material and two chapters of a history text book for use with eleventh and twelfth graders.

Grants vary between $250 and $2,500, and cover the costs of research, materials, speakers, and other expenses incurred by the school or the teacher. The amount of each grant is determined by the project’s scope, the availability of total funds, and the number of projects selected through a competitive process. The American Turkish Society encourages all applicants to identify additional sources of funding where possible. Once selected, grantees will be free to develop their proposed projects without editorial input from The Society. They will, however, participate in follow-up activities for evaluation purposes and will be asked to share any teaching plans, materials and activities with The American Turkish Society for future dissemination.

Application Process: Spring Semester, 2011

Application deadline: November 1 Notification: December 1

Please submit proposals including:

1. A 2-page summary of the proposed project detailing the tools, materials, and methods to be used; the objectives and anticipated impact; and the teacher's relevant qualifications; 2. A project budget, including a detailed breakdown of costs and the grant amount requested; 3. The teacher’s CV; and 4. A letter of support from the teacher’s school.

Interested parties should send proposals to The American Turkish Society at [email removed].

For questions and additional information, please email [email removed].

Curriculum Development Grants Available

by The American Turkish Society

Sep 30, 2010

LEASE FORWARD WIDELY.

The American Turkish Society's Education Program is pleased to announce the availability of Curriculum Development Grants for 2011.

The program, which was initiated by The Society in the spring of 2010, offers funds to elementary and secondary school teachers to develop innovative curricula, projects and othe...See MoreLEASE FORWARD WIDELY.

The American Turkish Society's Education Program is pleased to announce the availability of Curriculum Development Grants for 2011.

The program, which was initiated by The Society in the spring of 2010, offers funds to elementary and secondary school teachers to develop innovative curricula, projects and other classroom activities about Turkey. The Society’s first Curriculum Development Grant was awarded to Harry A. Dawe, former Headmaster of Robert College in Istanbul and current history teacher and college counselor at the Fieldston Upper School in Bronx, New York. Mr. Dawe received support for History 181: East Meets West, for which he developed course material and two chapters of a history text book for use with eleventh and twelfth graders.

Grants vary between $250 and $2,500, and cover the costs of research, materials, speakers, and other expenses incurred by the school or the teacher. The amount of each grant is determined by the project’s scope, the availability of total funds, and the number of projects selected through a competitive process. The American Turkish Society encourages all applicants to identify additional sources of funding where possible. Once selected, grantees will be free to develop their proposed projects without editorial input from The Society. They will, however, participate in follow-up activities for evaluation purposes and will be asked to share any teaching plans, materials and activities with The American Turkish Society for future dissemination.

Application Process: Spring Semester, 2011

Application deadline: November 1 Notification: December 1

Please submit proposals including:

1. A 2-page summary of the proposed project detailing the tools, materials, and methods to be used; the objectives and anticipated impact; and the teacher's relevant qualifications; 2. A project budget, including a detailed breakdown of costs and the grant amount requested; 3. The teacher’s CV; and 4. A letter of support from the teacher’s school.

Interested parties should send proposals to The American Turkish Society at [email removed].

For questions and additional information, please email [email removed].

favorite teacher websites

by Marie

Oct 14, 2010

I have an assignment for school and am looking for good teaching websites. What are some of your favorite, reputable teaching web-sites for grades K-3rd.

Morton Well, it might be too much for a 3rd grade student, but I like this site:

[link removed]

It has free worksheets on figurative language much more useful than any materials I've found in books, etc.

Nov 15, 2010

passing el/sec. education content test!

by help

Oct 14, 2010

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to study or prepare for the content test for Elementary/Secondary content test?? Any strategies you can suggest or help sites to prepare would be greatly appreciated!

Insurance Premium Calculation Question CPS

by interested

Oct 31, 2010

I have a quick question for those of you in the Chicago Public System. I am looking into Chicago Public schools, even though jobs are few and far between there, I am wondering how Employee Contributions for health insurance premiums are calculated. I do know that it is a percentage based on your base salary and varies depending on type of coverage ...See More

Michael It is a deduction with every paycheck, every two weeks. There are plenty of other things that get taken out of your check. Look at the new hire forms to see exact percentages for exact plans though things are going up for 2011. Union dues are like $45 per non summer pay period. Pension is 2.2%. a good chunk is deferred for summer. Basic dental is f...See More

Nov 1, 2010

by Cassie

Nov 7, 2010

Does the state of IL accept the university of phoenix courses for a LBSI endorsement?

sped Yes, they accept any regionally accredited school, and U of P qualifies.

On 11/07/10, Cassie wrote: > Does the state of IL accept the university of phoenix > courses for a LBSI endorsement?

Nov 9, 2010

CLASSES AT U OF PHOENIX

by SHELLY

Nov 10, 2010

Has anyone completed the SPE 544 Behavior disorder class from University of Phoenix? Is there a difference in teachers?

Thanks

Teacher Chatboards

General

Teacher Chatboard

Method & Theory

Grade Levels

- -

Multiage Classroom

Adult Education

Classroom Projects

Arts and Crafts

Read Across America

Travelling Buddies

Learning Centers

States

Teachers Abroad

Australian Teachers

Canadian Teachers

Subject Areas

Foreign Languages

Language Arts Center

Science Teachers

Language Arts

4 Blocks Literacy

6 Traits Writing

Accelerated Reader

Building Blocks (K)

Books & Literature

Creative Writing

Librarian/Media Arts

Reading/Writing

Remedial Reading

Foreign Language

ESL/EFL Teachers

French Teachers

German Teachers

Spanish Teachers

Travel/Study Abroad

Peer Groups

AP/GATE Teachers

Beginning Teachers

Distance Teachers

Department Heads

Library/Media Science

Master Teachers

Mentor Teachers

Retired Teachers

Special Education

Student Teachers

Substitute Teachers

Method & Theory

Beginning Learners

Character Education

Classroom Discipline

Collaborative Learning

Disruptive Students

General Education

Learning Disorders

Learning Research

Lesson Planning

Montessori Method

Motivating Students

Professional Devel

Professional Readings

Staff Development

Standardized Testing

Testing & Grading

Career Center

Continuing Education

National Boards/NBPTS

Hot Topics

Classroom Humor

Healthy Teachers

NCLB/Race to the Top

Teacher Gatherings

Teacher Inspirations

Teacher Recipes

Teacher Social Board

Tech Center

Apple Classroom

Computer Teachers

Educational Software

Internet Security

Library/Media Science

Teaching with PowerPoint

Teacher Video Share

Teaching with the Web

Tech Coordinators

Teachers.Net

Home About Forum Policies Privacy

Resources

Chatboards Lesson Plans Classroom Projects Classified Ads

Follow us...

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Mailring

Contacts

Advertising Job Listings Submissions Reprints