Call for 2015 Trailblazer Teachers

We’re forming a team of teachers that will spend a year more deeply integrating blended learning into their classrooms (What do we mean by blended learning?). Also, by the end of that year, each teacher will publish their lesson plans, assessments, and other resources as an “open-source” foundation for other teachers. We’re calling this group the Trailblazer Teachers.

By October 12, we aim to find a dozen teachers to become trailblazers who can:

  • pair deep knowledge of their subject with new technologies
  • learn best practices in instruction from experts in the field
  • participate as productive members of a multi-school Professional Learning Community around blended learning
  • work with that community to curate a top-quality archive of the materials they used to be published as resource for other teachers

If you join our team, you’ll have new resources to improve your own instruction, while building a resource that will help future teachers. Participating team members will earn a $5,000 stipend in compensation for their time. We’ll also cover most travel costs.

How to apply

Interested teachers will need to complete this application by 8 a.m. on October 12, 2015.

To accept a teacher’s application, we are also requiring each applicant to find and partner with an administrator at their school. Throughout years of trainings, we have found that lasting change in teaching methods must be supported by the school’s administration to persist.

Participating schools will need to provide substitute teachers to accommodate attendance of the teacher at program events. To offset these costs, each school will receive a $2,500 stipend.

For a teacher to be considered, a school principal or assistant principal must also complete the School Approval application by 8 a.m. on October 12, 2015.

Who’s eligible?

To apply, we ask that you are:

  • Able to attend training sessions as described below
  • Currently employed by an Ohio high school (9-12 including public schools, community schools and STEM schools) and teaching in a core content area. (Science, Math, Government, English)
  • Currently using technology-infused instruction or blended learning model in your classroom
150924 school apply button

Completion requirements

Teachers selected for this program should expect to spend about 50 hours over six months developing content and participating in the Professional Learning Community (via virtual meetings).

In addition, Trailblazer Teachers will be required to attend some professional development events in person. All required events are detailed below.

Two-day teaching coaching kickoff event See new possibilities for blended learning and introduction to the program. November 18-19, 2015 (Columbus, OH)
Virtual Meetings/Professional Learning Community PLCs and coaching events will be held virtually. Sessions will be twice a month, time TBD, based on team consensus. (Online after November 19)
Technology Training Session One-day onsite training on Learning Management System, date TBD (Columbus, OH)
Teacher-Leader Training (at North Carolina State University) Training with national experts on blended learning held at North Carolina State University, January 7-8, 2016 (Raleigh, NC)
Final Presentation (Conference style) Culminating event of the year. Late spring date TBD (Columbus,OH)

How do schools benefit by having a teacher participate in this program?

By allowing a teacher to participate in our pilot, your school will:

  • Add new capacity in digital and personalized learning
  • Add a highly trained coach to your staff for future blended learning development
  • Gain access to a professional network of experts in blended learning
  • Gain access to blended learning materials created in the program
  • Receive a $2,500 stipend to offset the administrative costs related to program implementation

What do we mean by blended learning?

Whether we call it “blended learning” or “technology infused instruction,” we know that incorporating technology into the classroom as a way to support student learning is part of modern teaching. In blended learning, teaching and learning occurs through a combination of in-person and online teaching.

Simply adding computers to the classroom is not enough.  In the digital environment, teachers need to develop new approaches to teaching and learning that leverage the technology to make a positive impact on student learning.  At the highest level, technology can allow teachers to re-imagine student learning.

Applications

Applications are due October 12, 2015 at 8 a.m. All applicants will be notified of their status by October 19, 2014. Please direct any questions to Heather Sherman [email protected]; 614-578-5888.

Trailblazer Teacher

In order to ensure we have examples of several different kinds of core courses, preference may be given to teachers in particular subjects, depending on the number of applications received.
Note: Please be sure you are prepared to complete the entire application including uploading the required attachment. You might consider saving your short response answers in another document until you are ready to complete the application in its entirety.
This application requires a sample artifact that demonstrates how you incorporate technology in your classroom.

Scroll to Top