Bring CTC To Your School
Resource Center
Conference/WORKSHOP REGISTRATION
Intro to Adventure Education
Motivational Interviewing
iMATHination
Thinking about Teaching: Effective C&I Tools
NEWS & Events
News & Events
News & Current Events
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CTC@NEIU Highlighted in National GEAR UP Week Freshman Connection is a summer transition program that was developed through GEAR UP and later adopted by Chicago Public Schools. On this week’s Ed Gov Blog, the post, Kicking Off National GEAR UP Week, Freshman Connection is highlighted as an example of “a successful GEAR UP partnership in action.” This national recognition allows GEAR UP to build a treasury of best practices.
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Arne Duncan, DOE, celebrates National GEAR UP Week. President Obama has a goal of leading the world in college completion by 2020. |
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CTC Receives Over $49 Million Grant to Fund GEAR UP 5 Program Chicago Teachers' Center (CTC) has received more than $49 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund its new GEAR UP program. GEAR UP, an acronym for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The grant will allow CTC to provide services at high-poverty middle schools and high schools. |
Wendy M. Stack, Director, Chicago Teachers' Center, celebrates with the staff. |
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Halloween Potluck at the Center, October 28, 2011
No one can say we don't have spirit! In addition to the potluck held in the "haunted walkway", we had several staff in costume. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the feast and the great atmosphere!
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In costume: Chris Johnson, Margaret Boyter-Escalona, Dan Laubaucher and his son Alex, Wendy Stack and Gopika Malhotra. |
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CTC@NEIU, September 9, 2011
Department of Education Visits CTC@NEIU On Friday, September 9, 2011 CTC@NEIU was part of the Secretary’s Back-to-School Bus Tour on Education and the Economy, which included visits by senior ED staff to communities and classrooms across the Great Lakes region. CTC@NEIU was honored to be chosen by the U.S. Department of Education to present an interactive forum on preparing students for college and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
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Wendy M. Stack (CTC@NEIU) introduces Bernard McCune (CPS) to Eduardo Ochoa (DOE) while |
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Upward Bound Math and Science April 16, 2011
UBMS Spring 2011 Symposium Students presented the work they have been doing in their individual projects as part of Upward Bound Math and Science program. Students worked on one of three project based activities including robotics, animation and cancer cell research. UBMS curriculum includes student oriented learning approaches that allows its participants to develop team-builidng, inquiry problem solving and technology skills all while engaging in STEM careers. Want to know more? Visit the UBMS blog! |
Students discuss the work they |
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Resource Center Workshop February 26, 2011
Unusual Liquid Makes For Fun Hands-On Experiments
Teachers attending the Resource Center Amazing Water workshops participated in hands-on experiments using readily available materials. They could then share water's amazing characteristics with their students in the classroom.
Check the Resource Center Link on the home page for more free workshops.
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Rita Meier (in the background) shares her chemistry expertise with in-service and pre-service teachers who attended the "Amazing Water" Resource Center workshops on Saturday. |
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Resource Center Workshop February 22, 2011
Leader Asks "Who Grew My Soup?" in this Resource Center Workshop
Jackie Jones, Education Manager at Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom leading the “Who Grew My Soup?” workshop, at the Chicago Teachers’ Center’s Resource Center. This third of four 2010-2011 Ag in the Classroom workshops included lessons with book connections, hands-on activities, and free materials for all. Check the Resource Center Link on the home page for more free workshops.
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Jackie Jones, Education Manager, Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom, right, leads |
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ARTS Berwyn PDAE Grant January 20, 2011
Hiawatha Elementary Hosts ARTS Berwyn Showcase
A book raffle, student art displays and performances were the highlights of the ARTS Berwyn Showcase on January 20, 2011. Visitors were able to view student artwork and everyone was invited to create artwork of their own. The National Museum of Mexican Art facilitated an art-making workshop. This showcase of student work was held at the Hiawatha Elementary School on one of the coldest days of the winter, yet, it was a full house!
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Parents and students were at the edge of their seats during a book raffle held at the ARTS Berwyn Showcase. |
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21st Century Learning Communities December 27, 2010
Adventure Time for Students Over The Winter Break
Over the 2010 winter break, middle school students with the 21st Century Learning Communities program enjoyed a teambuilding session at Prosser High School. The high school had activities for 8th grade students from Thurgood Marshall and Northwest Middle School; many of them participate in weekly Saturday classes for early high school credit – a program also funded by the 21st Century grant.
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Led by CTC teambuilding staffer Brian Lagrone, trust-building activities included a rope circle (above) and a group lift of the prinicipal! |
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Holiday Party at the Center December 16, 2010
CTC Staff Support Comer Children's Hospital
Staff from the Chicago Teachers’ Center dug deep to make their annual holiday donation of toys and gifts. In addition to enjoying a potluck luncheon, these Santas brought a little holiday cheer for kids in need. This is the fourth year Comer Children's Hospital has been part of our holiday tradition.
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Pat James sorts through some of the donated gifts before the holiday potluck. |
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Cicero-Berwyn Education Initiative November 20, 2010
Nuestras Historias, Nuestras Voces
The Cicero-Berwyn Education Initiative and the Morton East Literacy Committee held a great family literacy festival Saturday, November 20, 2010. Held at Morton East High School, over 600 parents and their children listened to the student choir, watched culturally-based dancing and were able to take home free books. This was an exciting event for all with both parents and children engaged in multiple literacy-based arts projects.
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Parents and their children were able to choose from hundreds of free books. |
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Arts Reception October 27, 2010
Staff Celebrates Release of Every Art, Every Child
Ravenswood Elementary School was host to a October 27th reception celebrating the publication of CTC's newest arts integration resource: Every Art, Every Child: a curriculum in, about and through the arts. Over five years in the making, this is a unique teaching resource that show you how to integrate the arts across core curriculum. Not only was the food great, but program artists entertained with music thoughout the evening. Everyone who came received their own print copy.
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Cristina Silva greets teachers at |
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CTC Receives $21 Million Grant to Fund GEAR UP Program
Chicago Teachers' Center (CTC) has received a $21 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue funding its GEAR UP program. GEAR UP, an acronym for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The grant will allow CTC to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools.
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Wendy M. Stack, Director, Chicago Teachers' Center |
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YAL Conference October 22-23, 2010
Young Adult Literature Conference Celebrates 10th Anniversary
The Chicago Teachers' Center is very happy to present the Young Adult Literature Conference. This conference treats teachers as the professionals they are. In workshops, teachers experience the richness and depth that young adult literature can bring to the classroom, as well as opportunities to explore innovative and differentiated teachings techniques.
Pictured at left are two teachers who regularly attend the conference: Maryanne Brandt (nine years) and Dee Simpson (ten years). Both work at Thurgood Marshall Middle School. Not pictured is Susan Nusbaum (10 years) from Wells Community High School. We appreciate their support in this program.
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Maryanne Brandt and Dee Simpson (right) teachers from Thurgood Marshall Middle School, look forward each year to the conference. |
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Principals for a Day October 21, 2010
PFAD: A Unique Experience in CPS Schools
On Thursday October 21, 2010 ten staff members from CTC became Principals for a Day (PFAD). This was a great chance to experience a day in the life of a school and at the same time share what CTC has to offer. Most schools had a schedule prepared which allowed us to meet the principals and their key staff, tour the school, observe classrooms, meet teachers and students, and debrief. The day ended with a fabulous reception in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier.
We discovered that although some of the schools we visited are long-time partners, our programs are new to incoming principals and staff. Networking can be an important tool for promoting CTC programs and contracts.
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Hector Uriostegui, David Sperling, |
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NEIU Reception October 20, 2010
CTC at NEIU Recognition Awards
We are very proud to recognize staff who have been at the CTC for five years or more. Pictured (left to right) Andy David (25 years), Tahsuango Pickett (15 Years), Margaret Boyter-Escalona (15 years), Anne Stapleton (15 years) and Evelyn Gray (20 years). Not pictured Mary Massie (10 years), Alfred Miller (10 years), Trish Rosado (10 years), Ellen Zipprich (10 years), Rhonda Thomas (5 years) and Kim Warman (5 years). Congrats to you all!
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CTC makes a strong showing at the |
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Chicago Foundation for Education Fair October 3, 2010
Over 400 teachers attended the CFE Workshop on Saturday October 3, 2010 and we were there to greet them. This is an exciting event for teachers who get to see 60 CPS teachers presenting their award winning projects and teaching strategies. Katina Lacey and Amy Hendricksen staffed the CTC booth at the Resource Fair, handing out information about CTC and our resources. This was a great way to get the word out on our upcoming iMathination and College Planning For Students with Disabilities conferences.
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Katina Lacey and Amy Hendricksen at work early Saturday to share opportunities for teachers available at the Chicago Teachers' Center. |
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Celebrate Peace September 21. 2010
In an effort to show their commitment to individual, school-wide, community and world peace, over 200 students from Roberto Clemente Community Academy led a Peace Ceremony on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 for the opening of the World Music Festival at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Each year since 1978, Peace Day celebrations are coordinated by the Chicago Build the Peace Committee.
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Clemente students and teachers with staff from CTC support Peace Day. |
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Parent Summit June 10, 2010
Parents were the focal point of the first Parent Summit held at CTC. Their participation is integral to the success of our school programming.
Parents created four stations at the conference that showed examples of their work in book clubs, college bound initiatives, art and culture and community of learners workshops. They were also part of a Parent Panel which fielded questions on what works and why.
Discover how our approach has developed in twenty years of working directly with parents. For more information click here.
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| Margarent Boyter-Escalona, Parent Services Manager, greets parent advocates before the summit. |
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Resource Center
Teachers served by Rush University Medical Center's Science and Math Excellence (SAME) Network toured the Resource Center on Thursday, May 13, 2010 and attended a presentation by Louise Huffman. As a teacher she spent 6 weeks in a tent in Antarctica in the harshest environment on earth, and is now the Coordinator of Education and Public Outreach for ANDRILL (ANtarctic geologic DRILLing). ANDRILL scientists are studying the geologic history of Antarctica and its relation to global climate change.
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GEAR UP Program
In one busy week over CPS spring break, 192 students took part in six bus tours going to three different colleges.
Each all-girl college tour had 32 students representing five of our partner high schools. They visited the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Alverno College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Overall, it was a very successful trip.
School visits are one of the most powerful influences in helping students decide where they want to go to college. |
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iMATHination Conference Followup April 26, 2010
In this Resource Center workshop, teachers had the opportunity to experience how Google Earth can be used effectively in math and science classes. They were shown how to integrate current events into the classroom and bring math and science to life for their students. This workshop is a followup to the January iMATHination
This workshop is made possible with funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP Program.
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