Welcome to the first issue of TEEM Beat!

This new monthly e-newsletter is designed to keep you informed of all things TEEM-related, including the latest news and updates, relevant research findings, progress of the Texas School Readiness Certification system, and stories that will highlight individual TEEM classrooms and teachers making a difference for preschool children in Texas! We hope you will find it to be timely, informative, and entertaining, and we will welcome your feedback.

Update on Texas School Readiness Certification System (SRCS) June 2008

Reminder! The deadline for submitting Texas School Ready applications for classrooms with children graduating from Pre-K in Spring 2008 was Monday, June 30th, 2008.

For more information, check out www.txstatecenterchild.com, or contact Jane Thacker at 713-500-3761. The SRCS team is currently analyzing data collected on children who graduated from Kindergarten in Spring, 2008, and we expect that their Pre-K programs will be notified of their status around the beginning of August. For general information about the SRCS program and application process, please see this section of the CLI website at: www.texasschoolready.com. 

Give Yourselves a Pat-on-the-Back!

For most of you, the TEEM school year has come to an end, and it’s time for a well-deserved “pat-on-the-back”. No matter what your role has been on this project, be sure to take some time to reflect on your personal contributions and the successes you have facilitated for children in TEEM classrooms!

If you are a Target 1 teacher, congratulate yourself for making it through the first year of a challenging program! You know your hard work is paying off for students who might not otherwise be exposed to the quality teaching you have provided over the past year.

If you are a Target 2 teacher, take a moment to step back and feel pride in the progress you have made since you first began participating in the TEEM project. How has your classroom or teaching style changed? What have been the most gratifying moments in working with your children? Give yourself credit for your successes!

If you are a Mentor, recognize the valuable role you have played in supporting your teachers throughout the past year. Pat yourself on the back for the creative ideas, modeling and co-teaching, positive encouragement, and constructive feedback you have provided to help your teachers grow in their professional skills.   

If you are a TEEM Coordinator, remind yourself of your accomplishments in overseeing and supporting your teachers and mentors, communicating with project managers, sending in timely documentation to the State Center, and contributing to the success of the eCIRCLE aspect of teacher training.

If you are an SRI specialist, think of the ways you have worked effectively to build connections between school districts, childcare providers, and Head Start programs. You have probably identified and solved specific problems, brought important issues to others’ attention, and coordinated your work with TEA and the State Center. These liaison functions are so important to making the implementation go smoothly!

If you are a TEEM Partner, take credit for the significant contributions you have made to the success of the TEEM project through your flexibility, encouragement of your teachers, openness to working with State Center and TEEM staff, and oversight of SRCS data entry! Without your cooperation, we could not achieve such success with these children!

ABC Center Ideas

Hanging out the Alphabet
Put up a string in the ABC center like a clothesline.  Write the alphabet on clothespins.  Make several pins with the letters that are used more frequently.  The children can use the clothespins to spell their names, friend’s names, theme words, etc. on the clothesline.

The Alphabet  by Us (name of class)
Spread a white sheet on the floor, and then have small groups of children lie on the sheet in the shape of each alphabet letter.  Photograph each letter as it is made.  When the prints are developed, mount each picture on a sheet of construction paper and bind them together into a class book for the ABC center.

Calendar of Events

• June 30th, 2008 - SRCS Submission of Entry Application Deadline (Deadline has past)
• June 30th, 2008 - Submit up-to-date invoices (Deadline has past)
• August 11th - 15th, 2008 - Coordinator Training

July 2008

CONTENTS

• Update on Texas School Readiness Certification System (SRCS) June 2008
• Give Yourselves a Pat-on-the-Back!
• ABC Center Ideas
• Calendar of Events