BATON ROUGE, La. The Louisiana Department of Education is searching for highly motivated educators who want to contribute to the next wave of instructional resources. Applications are now being accepted (will open in new tab) for the next cohort of Teacher Leader Advisors.
Teacher Leader Advisors (TLAs) are exceptional educators from across Louisiana who play an influential role in raising expectations for students and supporting the success of teachers. The 2021-2022 TLAs will use their robust knowledge of teaching and learning to review and create the next wave of high-quality instructional materials and training tools that will be used by thousands of teachers across the state.
While Houston ISD recently recognized 12 finalists as candidates to be named its 2020-21 elementary and secondary teachers of the year, local schools also named their Teachers of the Year this spring.
The Leader solicited responses from the top teachers at area schools. Additional responses will be featured in a later issue.
Minh-Nhat (Daniel) Duong
Minh-Nhat (Daniel) Duong, math
Duong said he was honored to receive the Teacher of the Year award.
âIt shows that dedication is recognized, not just from me, but every teacher,â he said. âUnder such unprecedented times, a single teacher such as myself cannot achieve success alone, but through the help and collaboration of my colleagues. I am appreciative and proud to accept the award on the behalf of all educators.â
Michigan State Director
I. Overview of Teach Plus
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success. The organization empowers expert teachers to advance policy changes and improve instructional leadership and teacher supports; trains and coaches teacher leaders to successfully mobilize and lead teacher teams; and empowers teacher leaders to be change agents among their peers and policy makers. Since 2009, Teach Plus has trained thousands of teacher leaders across the country who are driving policy changes and improving the instructional practices of teachers to create an education system driven by equity, access, and excellence for all students.
Nausheena Hussain, Zaynab Abdi, Maya Soriano
Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment is a nonprofit organization based in North Minneapolis with a mission to amplify the voice and power of Muslim women. Join Reviving Sisterhood’s Executive Director, Nausheena Hussain, Civic Engagement Coordinator, Zaynab Abdi, and Teacher Leader at Lirio Montessori, Maya Soriano, for a discussion about the effects of COVID-19 on unsheltered communities and in education. As frontline responders, healers, caregivers, navigators, builders, disruptors, and storytellers, Zaynab and Maya will illustrate how Muslim women have been an integral part of our community’s social change ecosystem during the COVID-19 global pandemic
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School district: New Lenox 122
Family: Brian - 44, husband; Jack - 17, son; Sam - 15, son
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No
Education: Rhonda earned her bachelor s degree in Biology from Augustana College in Rock Island. She completed her teaching certification, her Master s in Education, and earned a Teacher Leader endorsement from the University of St. Francis in Joliet.
Occupation: Teacher - 20 years
Previous or current elected or appointed office: NLSD 122 School Board President
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is , and this is what I intend to do about it.
For most of my time on the Board, funding has been the most pressing issue. Pre-COVID it was worrying about a tax freeze and funding teacher retirements. Now, we have had to adjust our budget due to all of the unforeseen costs the COVID pandemic has required. Plus, we do not know how the long-term effects of the pandemic will influence the a