Welcome to the FUSDAZTEC-L mailing list.  This list will be devoted 
to the AZTEC-grant funded mathematics and science mentor/mentee 
network run at FUSD starting this fall.

If you have any problems or concerns with this list, please contact me, 
danmac@nau.edu or 523-5921 and I will try and help you out.  All 
posts to this list are archived for future search and retrieval at 
http://mailgate.nau.edu so keep this in mind when posting.

I'd like to say thank you to you all for agreeing to participate in the 
AZTEC efforts to improve science and mathematics teacher 
recruitment, preparation and (most important for you-all) induction.  
Our success in induction will partially be measured using a classroom 
assessment called RTOP: The Reform Teacher Observation Protocol.  
The plan is to have a trained RTOP observer visit the science and math 
classrooms of AZTEC mentees (and mentors upon request) to observe 
and complete this assessment at the start and end of the FUSD school 
year, with a few teachers also assessed around the middle of the year.  
Observation takes approximately one hour and should not disrupt class 
activity.

We have one three hour session called an RTOP Overview Session 
planned to introduce the ideas behind the instrument; how it is used 
and how we would like to see science and mathematics teaching 
reform take place. This session will be repeated twice during the 
summer.  We would like all mentors and mentees to attend either of 
these sessions.  The Overview Session devotes much time to 
discussion, question and answer opportunities so as to allow you to 
learn what AZTEC is trying to do.  For this session you will also 
watch videos of teachers in action and try to evaluate their 
instructional environment according to the RTOP criteria.

The first RTOP Overview Session will take place on 6July 2000 in the 
Physics and Astronomy lecture theatre (Bldg 19, Room 233) from 
9:00am to 12:00 noon. There will also be a number of NAU faculty 
attending this session, as they will have a similar evaluation of their 
course instructional environments in the 00/01 academic year.

The second RTOP Overview Session will occur 21Aug 2000 from 
1:00-4:00pm as part of the FUSD teacher orientation week activities.  
The venue has yet to be finalized for that event, and will be announced 
here when it is finalized. (Probably FUSD HQ, or a HS Theatre).

Given how RTOP dirves a lot of AZTEC evaluation and science and 
math reform, it is very important that mentors and mentees attend one 
of these sessions.  The time counts towards the AZTEC renumeration 
requirements (the AZTEC pay arranged through Career Ladder).

We hope to have online downloadable copies of the RTOP available 
shortly, stay tuned on this.

And thanks again for agreeing to participate in the FUSD AZTEC 
program for improving science and mathematics teaching.  I look 
forward to meeting you at one of the RTOP Sessions this summer.

Sincerely,

Dan MacIsaac

Dan MacIsaac, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Northern AZ Univ
danmac@nau.edu          http://purcell.phy.nau.edu         PHYS-L list owner