■ New Online Licensure Application Process Announced: On Tuesday, December 8, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) is launching a new online license application system for initial licensure applicants The new system is accessed at this link.

For those who have never previously held a file folder number with PELSB, an initial license application should be created through the PELSB online system beginning December 8. This will initiate the licensing process. At the end of the online application, a checklist will populate indicating any additional materials that must be mailed to the PELSB office. Please ensure that all materials are gathered and submitted in one packet before mailing.

Should you have any questions about the launch of the new online application system, please contact PELSB at <pelsb@state.mn.us> or by phone at 651-539-4200 (Tuesday-Thursday, 9am-12pm).

■ Augsburg’s Education Department is pleased to announce multiple funding opportunities for licensure-track students of Color and Indigenous students. We were fortunate to receive a generous grant from the Minnesota Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER).  

Only students who are juniors, seniors, or MAT status may apply. The grants will cover only courses that lead to licensure. Undergraduate and graduate students are required to apply each semester for a one or two credit tuition award. Student teaching grants are offered for students only one-time. 

Undergraduate students:  

• The grant will cover 1 credit per semester at a cost of $1,228 for undergraduate students. 

Graduate students:

• The grant will cover 2 credits per semester at a cost of $509 per credit for a total of $1018.

Stipend for student teachers: 

• The grant will cover a one-time living award up to $1,500

Students who are interested must complete the grant application to receive fall 2020 tuition assistance. 

Tuition reimbursement application:

https://forms.gle/cvd3cNhz79DTQeQv8  

Student teaching stipend application:

https://forms.gle/esQ3wsuujHyUdTo87  

Please reach out to Hana Salad if you have any questions at: <saladha@augsburg.edu>.

■ The Fall 2020 Field Experience Guide and FAQs will walk you through all options available to you whether you choose to opt in or opt out of field experience this semester. Please read this document carefully, as it contains important information that could impact your ability to become a licensed teacher in the state of Minnesota.

If you have further questions or concerns about field experience this semester that were not covered in the guide, please feel free to contact:

• Stephanie Duncomb, Field Experience Specialist, <duncombs@augsburg.edu>, Make an appointment for one-on-one advising with Stephanie via Zoom at <https://calendar.x.ai/stephanieduncomb>.
• Emily Wollak, Special Education Field Experience Specialist, <wollak@augsburg.edu>.

As an additional resource, feel free to check out the newly updated Field Experience page <http://go.augsburg.edu/fieldexp> on the Education Department website.

■ Summer Teaching Jobs: Breakthrough Twin Cities is seeking applicants for their summer teaching fellowship program. A recruitment kit is available here.

Contact Rachel Banen <rbanen@breakthroughtwincities.org> or 651-748-5596 for more information.

■ Growing Explorers Learning Center Hiring Lead Teacher:  Growing Explorers Learning Center is seeking applicants for the position of Lead Teacher.

More information may be found at: <http://www.growingexploreres.com/>. Please apply by sending a resume and cover letter to: <director@growingexplorers.com>.

■ Summer Camp Jobs: Camp TEKO is looking for counselors, lifeguards, and specialists. You must be entering 12th grade or older but you do not need to be Jewish to apply for these positions. The TEKO staff will get to work at 8:15 a.m., spend the day at camp (on Lake Minnetonka), and head home at 5:30 p.m.. Salary is determined based on experience and position. We are looking for fun, creative, and open-minded staff who love working with kids and are able to make responsible choices regarding COVID-19 precautions.

For more information, please go to their website: <https://templeisrael.com/articles/work-at-teko>. An application may be found at this site.  A brochure describing their programs is available here. 

Submitting news to Augsburg:

• To the Education Department News: Send your news to Joseph Erickson at C.B. 312 or erickson-AT-augsburg.edu.
• To the Augsburg Now published by the Augsburg University Office of Public Relations and Communication: Send your news to C.B. 145 or now@augsburg.edu.
• To the daily A-Mail electronic newsletter: Go to AugNet Home Page and login. Then click on the “Submit News and Announcements” link.

Connecting with Alumni and Friends:

Augsburg University provides several ways to stay connected with alumni and friends. Here are some links to get you started:

• Alumni Information Update: Submit news and contact information changes to the university’s Alumni Office.
• TC2 New Teachers’ Blog

Other Sources of News for K-12 Teachers:

Here are links to some of the very best online news sources for K-12 teachers:

• Education Week
• Teacher Magazine
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (also, subscribe to ASCD SmartBrief, a daily email news resource delivered right to your inbox).