The Head Start on Science research project is looking for data collectors. If you are interested, you can see the position description and locations by clicking on the link below.

Data collector Position Posting / 2014-2015

If you have any questions, you can contact:

Debbie Stoddard, Project Coordinator
Email: stodda56@msu.edu
Please put “Data Collector position” in the subject line

We hope that everyone has a fantastic summer. Enjoy the time with your family and friends.

Chamber Names Teacher of the Year Award Recipients

Four outstanding Dearborn Public Schools teachers were honored by students, parents, colleagues and community leaders on May 14 at the 2014 Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony. More than 400 were at the event hosted by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center.

The Chamber’s Education Committee, chaired by Stefanie Stover, had the tough job of selecting four winners from a field of more than 900 nominated teachers. Nominations received by the Chamber were first screened, sorted into four grade level groups: pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade; 3rd-5^th grade; middle school; and high school. All teacher names and references to schools were removed from the nominations and forwarded to the first group of judges who read and sorted them. The top three nominations from each grade grouping were then sent on to final judging before the winners were named.

The winning teachers for 2014 are:

Ms. Mary Timpf received the 2014 Pre-Kindergarten-2^nd Grade Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Timpf has been with the District since 1997 and started at Salina before moving to Geer Park.  Charles, the student who nominated Ms. Timpf wrote these words to describe how he felt about his teacher:

“She always made me laugh and smile. She was never mad or sad, she was always happy. She always let us take off our shoes, even though our feet smelled bad.”

Ms. Mariam Hamid from William Ford Elementary is new to the Dearborn Public Schools but already making an impact on her students receiving the 3^rd-5^th grade Teacher of the Year Award. Student Mariam Sleiman nominated Ms. Hamid for the award. Among her comments about her Ms. Hamid, the student said:

“My teacher…makes learning fun and makes us look forward to coming to school. (Ms. Hamid) has me come to school early on Fridays and helps work with me. She does this with some of the kids that need extra help. This has been the most fun school year because I am happy at school and I am happy learning.”

Mr. Ryan Lazar from Lowrey Middle School received the 2014 Middle School Teacher of the Year Award. “Let’s talk about real life,” is what Mr. Lazar often says, seizing the moment to teach a lesson when he hears someone comment or complain, according to student Haider Abdallah who nominated Mr. Lazar for the award. The student also said:

“…I’ve never seen a sentence get a whole class listening like that. (Like the time) we walked in the room on a dark day and (Mr. Lazar) turned on the lights. Someone asked a question about electricity. Suddenly, we were learning about Edison and Tesla. Now we know the history of electricity and it’s not even history class! I want our teacher to know we are listening even though some of us pretend not to. Our teacher is more than a teacher, he’s a role model and that’s why I feel he deserves this award.”

Ms. Amy Memminger will be wrapping up her ninth year with the District and has spent time at Dearborn High and Stout before landing at Fordson where she received the High School Teacher of the Year Award. When nominating her teacher for the recognition, Senior Marty Dara said:

“In addition to making me a better citizen, (Ms. Memminger) gave me the confidence I needed to be myself in all my quirky glory. Before her class, I was satisfied with doing the bare minimum. She convinced me of my potential and pushed me to explore options beyond what I had dreamed for myself. I am now unafraid to try new things. And for that reason, I will be attending Harvard University this fall.”

The four honorees received a $1,000 cash prize and a hand-made glass apple award, and they are now part of a select group of Dearborn teachers who have been recognized by the community for their ability to make a difference.  In addition, the school where each teacher of the year works received a cash prize.

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Please be aware that separate bills on teacher and administrator evaluation have passed in the Michigan House and Senate.  Now we have to wait for negotiations in committee.  Nothing has been finalized yet but I wanted to give everyone an update on the growth measures. I received this information from WCRESA.

• For the 2014-15 school year, a district will measure student growth in the teacher’s annual evaluation using whatever assessment is in place in your district now. No specific percentage of student growth is mandated; (meaning you can use 1% up to 100% of their total evaluation score on student growth if you want.)
•  Beginning in 2015-16 and 2016-17, 25% of the eval must be based on student growth
• In 2017-18 and beyond, 40% of the evaluation must be based on student growth

• Beginning in 2014-15,  25% of the evaluation must be based on student growth, but no state data will be used ( that’s because there is no state data!!) So, again, you can use whatever current evaluation instrument you have that measures student growth.
• For 2015-16,  25% must be based on student growth and here’s where it gets tricky: 50% of that student growth score for tested grades & subjects must be based on state data. In other words, 12.5% of the teacher’s eval will be based on the state test – the other 12.5% will be based on your data that measures student growth ( what  you used in 2014-15). Same holds true for the 2016-17 school year.
• In 2017-18, 40% of the eval will be based on student growth.
• Student growth percentages also apply to special education teachers

Attention DFT Members,

This is a reminder that it is the responsibility of each DFT member to report their absence in the AESOP system.  In some cases a secretary might put the absence in AESOP if a specific substitute is requested in advance.  However, it is still the responsibility of the DFT unit member ensure that the absence is reported and to verify accuracy in AESOP. Here is the link to the AESOP attendance website. https://www.frontlinek12.com/Products/Aesop.html

In addition, DFT members do not have permission to put FMLA into the system. That would need to be done by a school secretary or by Mr. David Hardoin in the Human Resources Department. The entry of FMLA can only be entered once all paperwork has been processed in the Human Resources Department. Mr. Seeterlin, the Director of Human Resources-Instructional, is responsible for approving all FMLA requests. DFT members can go into the AESOP system and verify their attendance reports.   Here is the link to the HR blog that has information on FMLA and resources for employees.   https://humanresources.dearbornschools.org/employee-leaves-fmla/

The Evoucher website provides detailed attendance data going back over a 2 year period.  This website receives information from AESOP but the updates are always two weeks behind because it is only updated in conjunction with payroll dates.  The evoucher website is where attendance information is taken from when HR builds the layoff and recall databases.  Here is the link to the Evoucher system.  It is also the location where you can download your pay stubs.  https://hrweb.resa.net/eEmployee/

Student Services, Human Resources and Community Education Departments are part of one Division within the District.  Here is a link to the student services blog site. https://studentservices.dearbornschools.org/

You can find the district organizational chart on the HR blog site.

https://humanresources.dearbornschools.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2013/08/restructuring-july-20131.pdf

Hello Everyone,

I am posting this reminder regarding the deadlines for the Teacher Evaluation documents. Please remember that it is a joint responsibility of administrators and teachers to complete their portions of the year end evaluations.  For your convenience, here is a link to a memorandum that was previously sent out that lists all evaluation recommended timelines.  All year end evaluation documents must be submitted to HR by May 10th. https://humanresources.dearbornschools.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/103/2013/09/Document2.pdf

In addition, here is information from the district evaluation committee meeting.

6.  Dr. Klee is leading a process via the district assessment committee where we will analyze our district assessments and make recommendations for reducing assessments and consolidating our resources so that we develop more valid and reliable growth measures.

7. If the state ratifies bills calling for changes to the evaluation process in Michigan the committee will get together immediately to formulate a recommended plan of action.

Thank you.

Last Week To Nominate Your Favorite Teacher Today!

      Friday, April 11, 2014 is the last day to nominate your favorite Dearborn Public Schools teacher to be selected as the 2013-14 Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year.  Entry forms can be filled out on-line at https://dearbornschools.org/toy  or can be downloaded at the same website, can be picked up at any Dearborn public school and the district’s Administration Office, 18700 Audette

“We want to make the nomination process as simple as possible because we want to encourage all students to nominate their favorite teachers,” said Chamber Education Committee Chair Stefanie Stover.

Hard-copy nomination forms can be dropped off or mailed to the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce, 22100 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI  48124, or fax to (313) 584-9818. Adults may assist students when necessary but no more than two teachers can be nominated per student.

Students can nominate new or veteran teachers whom they feel have made outstanding contributions to the teaching profession.  Preschool through fifth-grade students are asked to describe how their teacher has created a classroom where learning is positive and fun.  Middle school students (grades 6-8) will need to explain how their teacher connects classroom learning with everyday life. Students in high school must describe how their teacher is preparing them to be successful beyond high school. Applications will be assessed on quality of the nomination, not on the number received. Award judges are members of the Dearborn Chamber Education Committee and are not provided with the teachers’ names.

One winner from pre-K through 2^nd grade, 3^rd-5^th grade, middle, and high school will be announced at a special ceremony, Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center. The Alberta Muirhead Teacher of the Year Award is sponsored by the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce.

Teachers selected to receive the Teacher of Year Award are being recognized as positive role models who consistently provide unique, productive, positive classroom experiences. Teachers selected receive a $1,000 cash prize, a plaque commemorating their achievement, and will be part of a select group of Dearborn teachers who have been recognized by the community for their dedication and passion for teaching.

“The teachers in our classrooms are true professionals, dedicated to their craft and to the academic success of their students. This award is a great way for our students to honor and thank their teachers,” commented Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Mr. Brian Whiston.

This is a reminder that all board placement policies and administrative guidelines can be found on the HR blog site.  Transfer deadlines, etc are also listed in the policies.

Reduction, Recall and Placement Policies and Guidelines