Learning to teach: CTEP members develop new skills

Last week, our CTEP AmeriCorps members met at CLUES in Minneapolis to discuss the important work of curriculum development. Joined by professionals from a variety of local non-profits, as well as CTEP alumni, members spent the day learning how to plan curriculum for youth and adults, how to handle difficult situations, and how to best connect with students.

Throughout the service year, CTEP members participate in Corps Days to help them develop their skills and learn from their peers. Curriculum development is an important skill for members to learn early on in their service, so the training is held each fall. Each year, new members join who have never taught before, created curriculum, or are unaware of resources available in the Twin Cities to learn from.  This day helps members start out on the right foot at their sites as they work with community members in situations like classes and one to one appointments on behalf of CTEP.

For the first part of the day, members broke into groups that work with youth and adults to discuss curriculum development. Members are asked to engage with community members as educators, and we want them to be well armed with successful resources on developing curriculum.  With the North Star Digital Literacy Standards Assessments in use this year, members are expected to have a shared understanding of how to design curriculum, and find existing curriculum, so that we can create a standardized experience across all CTEP partner sites.

Throughout the day at CLUES, CTEP program staff livetweeted interesting quotes, photos, and information to SPNN’s twitter account. They asked members to do the same, using the hashtag #CTEP. This was a departure from asking members to put their phones away for the day, and instead used technology as an additional means to engage.

For the second portion of the day, two panels of guests from partner organizations convened to discuss dealing with difficult teaching situations. These panels help members hear from experienced youth or adult workers on successes and challenges, and how to manage situations, and allowed members to ask about challenges or situations members have handled already this year. The most valuable skill highlighted by the panelists was the importance of members being authentic and true to one’s own style as they begin serving at their sites and with community members.

Finally, at the end of the day, members left CLUES to go apple picking! Members carpooled with CTEP staff to Aamodt's apple farm in Stillwater, MN.  Allie Sterling, a returning member serving at CTV North Suburbs, organized members and helped make arrangements for the day. There were lots of apples, cider and fun for all!