Dobie Trekkers Enjoy Trip to Nation's Capital!
Submitted by Dobie Social Studies Chair Sherri Henderson
D. C. Trekkers are back! The students had an amazing time this year! They were awesome in every way and well received by everyone they met. This year, in addition to trekking in the nation's capitol, museums and mall, students were able to visit two other states (Maryland and Virginia).
Students toured the U.S. Supreme Court building, where Supreme Court Justice Associate Sonia Sotomayor met with our students. Justice Sotomayor impacted us all profoundly with her graciousness. Students and chaperones were literally moved to tears while listening to her advice and stories about her life. She encouraged the students to be involved so that their voices can be heard. D. C. Trekkers were prepared with great questions and many felt this was the highlight of their trip.
We were invited to sit in on a Congressional hearing where U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett discussed Tobacco smuggling and the effects it was having on children. He introduced us to the legislative body, where Congressman John Lewis acknowledged us and thanked us for being there. 
Congressman Doggett (photo, right) also took the time out to visit with us and stayed for individual and group pictures.
Students went to the Arlington National Cemetery where they witnessed the changing of guard and the wreath being laid. Those who went trekking off the beaten path with Mr. Roberson saw the Eternal Flame and more.
We ferried from Baltimore, Md. to Fort McHenry for a re-enactment of the Civil War soldier's life. Students saw a demonstration of the loading and shooting of a cannon. It was extremely loud but they loved it and the boat ride. Fort McHenry was also where the National Anthem was written, by Frances Scott Key in 1814.
In Baltimore students also had fun at the National Aquarium and exploring the harbor area. Staged around Chesapeake Bay were Lacrosse teams from around the country, who were competing for this year's national championship. They were happy to sign autographs for the Trekkers. There was an apparent competition to see who could get the most signatures. I think Hanzy won!
Without a doubt this was the best D.C. trip ever, thanks to everyone involved, especially the wonderful chaperones.
Bedichek & Martin Teachers
Selected
for Fulbright-Hays Seminar in Brazil
6th Grade World Cultures teachers Elizabeth Ortiz at Martin MS (left photo) and Mary Smith at Bedichek MS (right photo) have been selected by the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies to participate in a Fulbright-Hays seminar in Brazil this summer.
Mary Smith and Elizabeth Ortiz have their roots in two places that both play a prominent role in Texas history. Smith, from Gonzalez, has been teaching in Austin ISD for 16 years. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and holds a B.A. in English and a Master's in Foreign Language. Ortiz, from San Antonio, earned a B.S. in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin. Both teachers stated they are excited to be participants in the Arts and Empowerment Seminar in Brazil this summer and are "looking forward to using what I learn to better serve my students!"
Arts and Empowerment in Brazil: Seminar and Curriculum Project Development Project for Educators will allow 14 secondary and pre-service educators to learn about the role of the performing arts in educational and social projects in Brazil, focusing on how artists provide opportunities that transform the personal, social, and economic potential of youth from Brazil's poorest communities.
The seminar will focus on five projects: Didá (music) in Salvador; Grupo Corpo's Corpo Cidadão (dance) in Belo Horizonte; Nós do Morro (theater) in Rio de Janeiro; and Projeto Guri (music) and Fábricas de Cultura (multidisciplinary) in São Paulo. These programs extend first-class instruction and a variety of social services to the most marginalized communities, offering young people better alternatives for their lives through the discipline of arts training.
Program participants will create curriculum units that explore Brazil's history, culture, and language for use in fine arts, language arts, and social studies classrooms. The four-week seminar will include lectures addressing Brazil's history, politics, culture, and language; in-depth conversations with artists about their educational philosophies and with students about their experience; and visits to classes, rehearsals, and performances.
Previous Professional Development Info. / Photos
2009-10 Theme:
"Rules of Engagement:
Motivating Students by Teaching What Matters"
SPRING 2010 District-Wide Staff Development
The program included presentations from Austin ISD social studies teachers, university scholars, curriculum publishers, and liaisons from local museums and community agencies. Teachers thumbed through selecting 2-morning sessions and 1-afternoon sessions to attend. For the final session of the day, teachers attended their specific content-area's meeting to review the proposed TEKS revisions and were provided an orientation to the district's new IPGa system.
Participants received six hours of professional development credit, including 3 hours of G/T credit.
Fall 2009 District-Wide Staff Development
Teachers thumbed through an impressive program, selecting 2-morning sessions to attend. The program included over 40 presentations from Austin ISD social studies teachers, university scholars, curriculum publishers, and liaisons from local museums and community agencies.
Participants received four hours of professional development credit.
© AISD, 2010 /