of Educat THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA DUCAT Alabama F ence Hota Date: Fall Semester 2013 To: University of Alabama College of Education Preservice Teachers From: Ninette Cannon, Director AMST! UAUWA Greetings, Congratulations on nearing the completion of your coursework at The University of Alabama. You are commended on your hard work toward becoming an educator. | hope that you will consider seeking @ position in school that supports the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI). Your atiendance at three AMST! professional development days is part of 2 pian to certify you as an AMST! teacher after graduation, making you eligible to receive Year 1 AMSTI materials upon employment at an AMSTI school, The College of Education's elementary science faculty has partnered with AMSTI to fully prepare preservice teachers to teach science to K-S students through incorporating AMSTI philosophies and strategies in standards-based courses. Included are topics such as 5 inquiry, reflection, cooperative learning, journaling, science notebooks, assessment and safety. In addition, AMST! has provided three days of instruction on 5" grade science which include two inquiry modules, Variables and Microworids, and GLOBE training. It is important to know that AMSTI preservice certification is managed through the State Department of Education (SDE), AMST! Section, and is used to provide AMSTI sites with information regarding teachers who are entitied to AMSTI services. AMSTI cerification does not appear on Professional Educator Certificates and is separate from certification granted by the SDE Teacher Education and Certification section. After you complete requirements for graduation, your name will be submitted by your professor to the SDE where you will be listed as eligible for Year 1 AMST! services for 5th grade science. If hited by an AMSTI school, this certification must be verified through the SDE and the local AMST! site must be notified. If hired at a grade level other than 5th grade, you will be required to attend a compressed training session to familiarize you with the content and materials of that grade level in order to receive services. ‘Once again, congratulations on your accomplishments as a future educator. | hope to work with you as an Alabama teacher in the future. Sincerely, Ninette Cannon Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative ‘The University of Alabama