Partners in Learning Ireland (N+S)

TIME IS RUNNING OUT-APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON SEPTEMBER 30TH!!

MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR APPLICATIONS FOR MENTOR SCHOOL AND EXPERT EDUCATION IN!!!

JOIN US IN BARCELONA AT THE GLOBAL FORUM IN MARCH 2014

I am happy to announce the launch of the new Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert Programme. For those of you who are aware with the Innovative Teachers Competition we have been running for the past 6 years, this will be familiar territory with a few new exciting changes. Because of the remarkable success and growth of the Microsoft innovative Educators Forums, this programme has evolved into much more than just the “Olympics of Education”. Last year alone there were over 150,000 entries and by the way- Northern Ireland HAD A WORLWIDE 1^ST PLACE WINNER IN DAVID YOUNG FROM LIMAVADY HS!!!

In the past we would have run a NI competition and chosen the best entry from across the Province. We have had huge success with that model and see no reason why this new programme won’t be just as successful. Now the winners for next year’s Worldwide Global Forum (venue TBC) will be chosen from the Teachers who have applied for Expert Educator status and the work and contributions they have engaged in on the Microsoft Partners in Learning Network.

Emails will be going out to many of your schools and Principals today, but please feel free to share with your colleagues and forward to any Teachers you feel may be interested.

Who is an Expert Educator?

We are looking for self-driven educators who are passionate about their careers, inspiring students with outside-the-box thinking and a true collaborative spirit. Resourceful and entrepreneurial, they relish the role of change agent, and work to achieve excellence in education using advanced technologies and social media.

So here is a formal invitation:

Dear Education Leader,

Last November at the Partners in Learning Global Forum in Prague, Microsoft reinforced its commitment to schools and educators by dedicating five more years and another $250 million to the Partners in Learning Program. As a part of the Innovative Educator Program, Microsoft is committed to developing and recognizing the most exemplary educators from around the world. At the same event in November, Microsoft also announced the launch of the Expert Educator program, a component of our Innovative Educator work.

Today, I am pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for our Expert Educators.

Microsoft’s Innovative Educator Program enables educators to use technology effectively in their classrooms in order to develop 21st century skills. We do that through:
Professional Development: Validated and scalable professional development that delivers proven approaches and practices that lead to improved student learning.
Global Community: The opportunity for educators to connect and collaborate with other innovative educators and education experts worldwide.
Recognition and Celebration: The opportunity to celebrate and recognize the most innovative educators and their teaching practices from around the world

The newly launched “Expert Educator Program” is a component of our commitment to Recognition and Celebration. It is an exclusive one year program created to recognize pioneer educators globally who are using technology to transform education. It is built on a decade of research culminating in the Innovative Teaching and Learning Research. Educators will have access to technology, specialized professional development, and will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Partners in Learning Global Forum.

Expert Educators work closely with Microsoft to share their classroom technology innovations. They advocate, share their experiences with peers and policy makers on effective use of technology in education. They provide insight for Microsoft on new products and tools in education. They share valuable best practices, and work together as a community to promote ideas to innovate in teaching and learning.

When educators become Microsoft Experts, they get:

• A trip to join other innovative educators at the Partners in Learning Global Forum
  
• Free technology for their schools
  
• Publicity and promotion via social media and other Microsoft channels
  
• Insider access to Microsoft strategy and technologies
  
• Professional and career development opportunities and certifications
  
• Peer coaching certification
  
• Opportunities to share their expertise with world-renowned educators and specialists to scale their innovations
  
• Consulting opportunities within the Partners in Learning program
  
• Invitation-only special events from Microsoft
  

We are thrilled about this program. We are looking for your partnership in promoting it among your organization, other education stakeholders and educators who could find it valuable. Please feel free to forward this email to all concerned and all who could be interested in applying.

So what’s next? If you haven’t already registered on the Partners in Learning Network, you need to do that 1^st with a COMPLETE profileJ. You can find instructions HERE.

PLEASE REGISTER ON THE PARTNERS IN LEARNING NETWORK TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE GREAT PROGRAMMES AND COLLABORATE WITH TEACHERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD