Wyoming Digital Learning Plan Listening Sessions Set

Dear Superintendents,

Leaders are thinkers and thinkers are leaders. As Dr. Albert Mohler said, “Before anything else, leadership is an intellectual activity.” That is because it is in this first stage of leadership where the seeds of potential success or failure are sown.

There is no place where this is more evident than in the educational arena and there is no place where this is more needed than in our society. So as our teachers equip our students to become thought-leaders in this world, it falls to us to be the thought-leaders in our schools, simultaneously training both leaders and thinkers, thinkers and leaders – because with only a few exceptions here and there, they’re usually one and the same.

Vision & Focus

Math teaches kids how to think logically; Science teaches kids how to think critically. History teaches kids how to think in context with perspective, and Language teaches kids how to communicate their thoughts efficiently and effectively. Reading teaches kids to think other people’s thoughts after them while Logic teaches kids to think systematically, consistently, coherently and intelligently.

An educated mind is a well-trained mind, and there are few things in life more consequential or rewarding than to send our young people into this world with an educated mind. As we share this vision with our students, the focus will strengthen and sharpen; as we share this vision with their parents, the focus will broaden and deepen.

The Primary Priority

This week’s Wyoming Teacher Apprenticeship Q&A is:

Question: Is the Wyoming Teacher Apprenticeship initiative creating an alternative pathway to licensure?

Answer: The Wyoming Teacher Apprenticeship does not create an alternative pathway to endorsement. The apprentice will need to complete the same education prep coursework as those teachers going through the traditional route. In addition, the apprentice will spend three years in a classroom with an experienced teacher mentor throughout those years. They must also demonstrate a series of on-the-job competencies before exiting the apprenticeship.

In the Spotlight

Last week, two of our Wyoming schools were recognized as 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools: Washington Elementary, Sweetwater County School District #2, and Henry A. Coffeen Elementary, Sheridan County School District #2. The program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of these Wyoming students, educators, families, and communities, and for that you are ‘In the Spotlight’ this week. Congratulations!

Also, I had the distinct pleasure to travel to Newcastle last Thursday to present Zach Beam, a physical science, physics, and advanced chemistry teacher at Newcastle High School, with the Wyoming 2023 Teacher of the Year award.

It was a surprise assembly at the school, and Zach is an amazing teacher who will represent Wyoming well. Of course, Zach is “In The Spotlight” too.

Read the full media release here.

Mark You Calendars

Free Wyoming Praxis Computer Science Preparation Course

CodeHS is partnering with the Wyoming Department of Education to host free, in-depth professional development cohorts to prepare Wyoming K-12 teachers to take the Praxis Computer Science Exam. The course is delivered within a 14-week cohort model where teachers work through the course at the same pace on the CodeHS platform. During the course, teachers are provided 1:1 support sessions, live Q&As, exam prep sessions, networking opportunities, and more.

To be eligible to apply, you should be a Wyoming K-12 public school teacher preparing to add a computer science endorsement to your teaching license. If you have questions, contact hello@codehs.com.

For dates and registration for the Fall Cohort, click here.

But wait, there’s more…