FLORIDA LEAGUE OF TEACHERS

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF TEACHERS
Date of submission: ________________________________

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF TEACHERS

NOMINATION PACKET, 2003

PROGRAM SYNOPSIS

The Florida League of Teachers is an organization of 148 outstanding practicing educators

dedicated to assisting the Florida Department of Education and public schools throughout the

state with school improvement. Founded in 1993, the League of Teachers is one component of

a statewide coordinated professional development system for the support of educational

reform. The major work of League teachers is to provide assistance to schools, universities,

teachers, and future educators. The assistance provided by League members includes

modeling, training, facilitating, and coaching to promote other teachers’ ongoing improvement

in the instructional setting. League teachers represent most subject areas and grade levels in

Florida’s public schools.

Through a nomination process, League teachers are selected from present or former district,

regional, and state Teachers of the Year, Technology Teachers of the Year, and other subject

area award winners. Nominees are proposed by School District Superintendents and the

Secretary of Education.

The Florida League of Teachers is dedicated to improving the quality of learning for all students

and empowering teachers to utilize best practices to meet student needs. Through contacts

made by the Department of Education and their own professional initiatives, League members

are available to:

Demonstrate effective teaching strategies for Sunshine State Standards;

Share their expertise in subject area curriculum and learning processes;

Give teacher-to-teacher support to pre-service, early career, and veteran educators;

Provide training in their areas of expertise to small school groups and large district

Serve on focus groups and committees for new initiatives, locally and statewide.

In training coordinated by the Department of Education, members of the League participate in

ongoing professional development to increase their effectiveness as agents of instructional

improvement. This training is designed to accomplish the following purposes:

Enhance League teachers’ facilitation and leadership skills;

Provide them with knowledge in the following areas: DOE initiatives, school improvement

process, effective classrooms and schools, technology integration, and assisting other

Prepare League teachers to deliver in-service training in critical teaching and learning

strategies and in their specific subject areas; and

Increase their sensitivity to the issues facing Florida’s diverse student population.

Travel expenses are reimbursed by the Department of Education when League teachers attend

professional development sponsored by DOE for the group. When League members provide

assistance, the organization requesting their services reimburses their travel expenses.

More information about services available from the League of Teachers can be viewed on the

Department of Education website: www.firn.edu/doe/.

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF TEACHERS

SIGNIFICANT DATES - NEW MEMBER NOMINATIONS

January 6, 2003

Letters to Superintendents requesting submission of

League member nominations

Nomination form(s) due at the Department of

Review of nomination packets by the League selection

Invitation to new members of the Florida League of

One-day orientation for new League members

Return application to:

Judith Harriss, Program Administrator

For further information, contact Judith Harriss:

E-mail: Judith.Harriss@fldoe.org

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF TEACHERS

SELECTION CRITERIA - NEW MEMBER NOMINATIONS

A superior ability to foster excellence in education and contribute to the continuous

improvement of student learning and the school environment.

Knowledge of the subject taught and the ability to effectively use materials relating

to the subject.

Use of original or innovative instructional methods such as interdisciplinary

instruction, use of student gains data in planning and delivering instruction,

development of new instructional materials and programs, and use of technology in

A record of superior teaching performance as evidenced by honors, awards,

student performance, or other kinds of recognition.

Continued professional development as evidenced by participation in in-service

training, action research or study groups, conferences and/or advanced degrees.

Experience in mentoring teachers and in conducting presentations, in-service

training, seminars, and other methods of facilitating colleagues’ or other teachers’

improvement of instruction.

Leadership in educational activities at the district, state and/or national level, such

as membership on an advisory council, task force, or professional organization.

Demonstration of exemplary interpersonal skills in communicating with colleagues,

students, families and the community, and the ability to collaborate with other

Strong commitment to creating a climate of caring and respect conducive to

effective teaching and learning.

Currently employed in a Florida public school district in a PreK-12 instructional

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF TEACHERS

NOMINATION PROCESS

Members of the Florida League of Teachers are recognized for their professionalism, their excellence in

teaching, and their instructional success. Most importantly, teachers are selected for membership in the

League because they have demonstrated capability as effective catalysts for improving instruction. Every

school district in Florida has many good teachers.

You are encouraged to nominate teachers who have

leadership potential for guiding other teachers in their ongoing improvement of instruction as well as a

proven record of commitment to education.

The following full-time personnel currently employed in a Florida public school PreK-12 instructional

assignment are eligible for nomination:

Classroom teachers

Special area teacher; i.e., ESE, foreign languages

Guidance counselors

Media specialists

Department chairpersons who actively engage in classroom teaching

Other professional educators performing instructional support services with students; i.e.,

school psychologists, speech/language pathologists

The League is looking for teachers who have primary responsibility for a group of students.

assignment as resource teachers, whose primary responsibility is staff development, are ineligible. School

personnel whose major responsibilities are administrative or supervisory are ineligible.

SUPERINTENDENT NOMINEES

It is requested that District Superintendents or their designees coordinate nominations of teachers who

meet the Florida League of Teachers selection and eligibility criteria. Suggestions for potential nominees

District Teacher of the Year

Technology Teacher of the Year

Subject Area Award Winner

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification

Teacher recommended by principal, staff development director or current League member

Teacher recommended by a local civic or parent/teacher organization

SUPPORT FOR NOMINEES

Each nominee must have three letters of recommendation, including one from the nominee’s principal.

The other two letters may be submitted by colleagues and/or a parent or student.

The superintendent and principal of a nominee are requested to sign the nomination form indicating their

support for the nominee, and their agreement to grant the nominee release time from classroom

responsibilities in order to receive training and to serve as facilitator, coach, and demonstration teacher for

other teachers.

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF TEACHERS

NOMINATION PROCESS

NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FROM EACH DISTRICT

The number of teachers that may be nominated from a district is determined by the size of

the PreK-12 student enrollment in a district. Superintendents should refer to the following

chart to determine the number of teachers that may be nominated each year from a

particular district.

Student Enrollment over

(3 nominations)

Student Enrollment between

10,000 and 100,000

(2 nominations)

Student Enrollment under

(1 nomination)

The Secretary of Education is invited to submit a nomination.

The current Florida Teacher of the Year will be invited to participate in the League.

MEMBERSHIP SELECTION COMMITTEE

New members will be selected by a committee composed of representatives from the

following: teacher bargaining units, current League member, director of an Area Center

for Educational Enhancement, DOE School Improvement Team Leader, principal, district

superintendent, and an exemplary educator from a state-level recognition program.

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF TEACHERS

NOMINATION FORM 2003

NOMINATION PACKETS MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BY

MARCH 2, 2003 AND SHOULD INCLUDE:

Three page Nomination Form.

Resume (please limit to three pages).

Essay, written and signed by the nominee, describing her/his vision for exemplary teaching (as it is

demonstrated in the nominee’s classroom and when providing support for other teachers), and

qualifications for and interest in membership in the League of Teachers. Please limit to no more than

Three letters of recommendation, including one from the nominee’s principal. (Please limit letters to

A recent black & white or color photograph (5’ x 7” head shot preferred) of the nominee. Photographs

will be used for program publicity and may not be returned.

Only one photograph is needed and

should be paper-clipped to the application.

Nominees: Please return completed packet to your district contact person for League

nominations at least one week prior to the deadline for receipt at the Department of Education.

Name of Nominee: _________________________________________________________________________

District: ___________________________________________

District Contact for League Nominations: _____________________________________________________

Position Title: _______________________________________ Phone Number: ___________________

Date of submission: ________________________________

District League Nomination Contact Person: TEN COPIES OF THE COMPLETED

NOMINATION PACKET SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO:

Judith Harriss, Program Administrator

Florida League of Teachers

325 West Gaines Street, Suite 124

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Please do not bind application packets. Simply staple the upper left-hand corner.

Nomination Form – Page One

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF TEACHERS

NOMINATION FORM 2003

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Name of Nominee

_____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________ ___________________________

Home Telephone (

____)__________________ School Telephone (____)__________________

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________ __________________ ____________________________

Subject Area(s) ______________________________________________________________________________

Total Years Teaching Experience ____

Years Teaching in Florida ____ Years in Present Position _____

Current Grade Level ____ Current Teaching Field ___________________________________

Area(s) of Certification ___________________________________________________________

Florida League of Teachers members are offered opportunities to receive training and to serve as

facilitators, coaches, and demonstration teachers for other teachers. Your signature below

indicates your agreement that, in the event the nominee is selected, he/she will be released from

teaching responsibilities for approximately ten days a year to participate in these League

activities.

Principal’s Name (please print)

___________________________________________________________

Principal’s Signature

____________________________________________________________________

Superintendent’s Name (please print)

______________________________________________________

Superintendent’s Signature

______________________________________________________________

Nomination Form – Page Two

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF TEACHERS

NOMINATION FORM 2003

Nominee, please complete the following checklists. Check all that apply.

NOMINEE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Leadership skills

Assisting Change in Education

______________________________

Teacher professionalism, support and assistance

Clinical Educator Training

______________________________

School reform

School Advisory Council

Coalition of Essential Schools

Parent/Community

Learning Communities/Prof. Study Groups

______________________________

Instructional strategies

Subject Area ________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Sunshine State Standards

Student Gains Data Analysis

Mathematics and Science

Holocaust Education Summer Institute

Reading in the Content Areas

Interdisciplinary

teaching/learning strategies (list)

____________________________________

____________________________________

____________________________________

SERVICE TO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Consultant to other schools or districts

Supervising teacher for internship/field

Member of a school advisory council

Member of a district advisory council

Chair of a committee or council in education

___ District ___ State ___ National level(s)

Member of a professional organization or

___ District ___ State ___ National level(s)

Presented at educational meetings and/or

professional association conferences

___ District ___ State ___ National level(s)

Conducted inservice activities such as

seminars or workshops designed to improve

instructional knowledge and skills of teachers

___ District ___ State ___ National level(s)

Performed or exhibited materials

___ District ___ State ___ National level(s)

Participant in mentor program

___ student ___ collegial

Nomination Form – Page Three