The Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators

A State Unit of the Association of Teacher Educators
and The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education

 

Executive Director's Report
January 18, 2008

Since the October 24, 2007 meeting of the Board of Director’s, I have engaged in the following organization-related activities:

  1. Participated in the initial T.E.A. 2008 Planning meeting;

  2. Coordinated the planning and materials for the December 7, 2007 T.E.A. Planning Committee meeting;

  3. Sent letters to newly-elected Board Members;

  4. Sent a letter of appreciation to Sharon Robinson for her participation in T.E.A. 2007;

  5. At her suggestion, periodically critiqued various pieces of President Cly Hornung’s written communications;

  6. Wrote and distributed minutes of the October 24, 2007 Board of Directors meeting;

  7. Wrote minutes for the October 25, 2007 Business meeting;

  8. Contributed in writing and coordinated the Fall Edition of News Notes;

  9. Sent letter #3 to institutions that have not paid 2007-08 institutional dues;

  10. Discussed Spring 2008 and T.E.A. 2008 Program planning with respective chairs;

  11. Provided needed A.T.E. Unit Awards materials to Mary Dupuis;

  12. Developed the T.E.A. 2008 Call for Proposals;

  13. Coordinated mailing of the T.E.A. 2008 Call for Proposals and the 2008 Call for Papers;

  14. Contact Ron Cowell’s office regarding his availability and willingness to speak at T.E.A. 2008;

  15. Responded to daily emails, written, and telephone inquiries.

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Flynn
James R. Flynn
Executive Director

Executive Director's Report
October 25, 2007

Since my last report to the membership approximately one year ago, PAC-TE has experienced a number of noteworthy achievements.

One of the proudest events in the organization's history occurred in February at the annual meeting of the Association of Teacher Educators in San Diego. PAC-TE received four very prestigious awards from the ATE:

  1. Unit Achievement Award (shared with Michigan and Texas)
  2. Articulation with the National Office (1st place)
  3. Membership Management Award (1st place)
  4. Outstanding Unit Award (1st place)

A great deal of credit for achieving these awards must be given to the presidential leadership of Cly Hornung, Terry Blue, and John Butzow, as well as to Mary Dupuis who created a superb application on behalf of our organization.

At the same ATE meeting, two of our long-standing members, Larry and Edwina Vold, were honored for their service in chairing the 2006 Summer Conference in Philadelphia.

All PAC-TE members are encouraged to attend the 2008 ATE Annual Meeting in New Orleans from February 24-27. Our organization will again be submitting an awards application.

Attendance at PAC-TE sponsored conferences in both fall and spring continues at near record numbers. This is occurring at a time when many professional organizations are struggling with less than desirable conference attendance. Much of PAC-TE's success in this regard is due to the creativity and diligence of the conference planning committees and the stimulating and timely programs they have put forth. Congratulations to this year's TEA co-chairs John and Susan Criswell and to Kathy Ruthkosky for doing a wonderful job in chairing last spring's conference.

Last summer, all who knew Claudia Balach were shocked and saddened by her sudden death. Claudia had previously been designated as the chairperson for TEA 2008. Her close friend and colleague, Beverly Melenyzer, has agreed to assume the chair's responsibility for next year's TEA.

The spring 2008 conference will be held on Friday, April 11, at the Penn Stater Conference Center at University Park. The conference planning committee under the leadership of President-elect Kathy Ruthkosky is currently working to develop the conference theme and program. The PAC-TE/PERA partnership seems to be working very well. Representatives of both organizations have been very active in planning for and presenting at the Teacher Education Assembly.

The Teacher Educator of the Year Committee chaired by Past-president Terry Blue received a record number of nominations this year. The daunting task of selecting a worthy recipient(s) was completed after much deliberation and communication by the committee.

The term limit provision that was enacted a few years ago is starting to yield greater numbers of candidates for Board of Directors positions. This should assist in the long-term health and vitality of the organization. Of course, the negative aspect of this action is that the expertise of experienced board members is lost by the term limits. Hopefully, this expertise of outgoing board members should be able to be solicited and be utilized for other committee and consultative activities.

Our membership base is something always worthy of attention. Although institutional memberships have grown slightly, our individual memberships have not. If you have not yet joined as an individual member, you are strong encouraged to do so. Please also urge your colleagues to join. Membership forms are available at the TEA registration desk and online.

Let's continue to work together to make PAC-TE an even more dynamic force for quality teacher preparation in Pennsylvania.l Please continue to keep in mind the mantra under which we like to function: If you like the way the organization is operating, tell a friend; if not tell us at PAC-TE World Headquarters.

Respectfully submitted,
Jim Flynn
James R. Flynn
Executive Director