Where is Ms. DuBois?

Teachers have many responsibilities. This Monday I will be out of the classroom engaging in some very exciting work with OEIB (Oregon Education Investment Board) and ODE (Oregon Department of Education). After my Teacher of the Year Award in 2010, my responsibilities expanded from my own classroom to many statewide expectations. I am excited to announce, through my work with Chalkboard serving on the Distinguished Educators' Council, I have been invited by the Oregon Education Investment Board to serve on an advisory committee which will guide the development of the new Network for Quality Teaching and Learning in Oregon.

This network was established during the 2013 legislative session. HB 3233 created the Network of Quality Teaching & Learning and HB 2506 funded the network at $33 million. An additional one-time investment of $12.8 million brought the total to nearly $46 million. The following Chalkboard priorities are included in the Network:

• School District Collaboration Fund

• Oregon Beginning Teacher and Administrator Mentoring Program

• New Models of Teacher Preparation

• Implementation of new performance evaluations systems required by legislation passed in 2011 (SB 290)

• Professional Development Clearinghouse

This means, for example, that instead of advocating every year for a little bit of money to fund mentoring for new teachers and administrators, mentoring will now be funded through the permanent Network. This is a big deal for Oregon and will directly impact educators in every district across the state.

Governor Kitzhaber championed the Network. He stated, “I am proud of the steps taken this session to improve outcomes for Oregon’s students. The creation of the Network of Quality Teaching and Learning demonstrates an important commitment to Oregon’s professional educators. We know that in order to deliver better results for students we have to deliver consistent and meaningful supports for educators. The Network is a significant step in the right direction.”

It is an honor and a privilege to take the Camas Ridge Voice with me as we begin to create a  statewide system that encompasses supports for educators at every stage of their careers. By supporting educators, students are assured a topnotch education in Oregon!

~Ms. DuBois