This summer, the University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Center will be hosting an online Advanced Placement® Summer Institute (APSI). (formerly known as the AP Teacher Training Institute or APTTI). APSI is designed for teachers who want to learn to teach AP® courses, current AP® teachers, and educators who wish to strengthen their school’s core curriculum. The event will take place June 28 – July 2, 2021, and all courses will be offered fully online. Check out our website for more information and registration details.
The College Board offers the following two scholarships that support teachers in attending an APSI. Both applications are open now and are due February 17, 2021:
AP® Fellows Program: For teachers at schools serving majority underrepresented minority and/or low-income students
Scholarship Amount: $1,000 – for cost of tuition and lab fees (when applicable)
Scholarship Amount: $1,500 – for cost of tuition and lab fees (when applicable)
Another funding opportunity is the AP® Summer Institution Grant, offered by the Belin-Blank Center’s Iowa Online AP® Academy. More information and a link to the application can be found here, under the heading “Financial Aid”. The deadline to complete this grant application is June 1, 2021.
Due to the concerns of the COIVID-19 pandemic and in cooperation with the University of Iowa and College of Education leadership, the 2020 APTTI (planned for June 29 – July 2) is canceled. We were very much looking forward to this professional development event, but we hope to see everyone next year for the 2021 APTTI.
To assist in finding other professional development opportunities appropriate for AP teachers, below are some options for online courses and online APSI programs.
University of Iowa Online Courses
The University of Iowa offers many online classes for teacher professional development, Iowa License Renewal Units (ILRUs), and continuing education. Please see below for various online courses, and see here for a complete course catalog.
To participate in online classes: If you are a non-degree seeking student, you must register with Distance and Online Education. To receive the State of Iowa Endorsement in Talented and Gifted Education, you may register as either a graduate or undergraduate student, regardless of your professional status. Once you have your HawkID and password, you can follow the directions to register for the courses here.
Introduction to Educating Gifted Students (RCE:4137:0EXW – 3 semester hours), June 8 – July 27 (Dr. Susannah Wood)
Special Topics: Understanding and Addressing the Unique Needs of Gifted LGBTQ Students (EDTL:4096:0WKA – 1 semester hour), June 8 – 26 (Dr. Haley Wikoff)
Current Readings and Research (EDTL:4085:0WKA – 1 semester hour), June 15 – July 6 (Dr. Laurie Croft)
Cognitive and Affective Needs of the Gifted (PSQF:4125:0WKA – 1 semester hour), June 29 – July 17 (Dr. Megan Foley Nicpon).
Teaching and Learning for Global Perspective (EDTL:4093:0EXW – 3 semester hours), June 15 – August 6 (Dr. Kathryn Kauper)
Special Topics: Field Geology of the Midwest (EDTL:4096:0EXW – 4 semester hours), June 29 – Aug 6 (Dr. Ted Neal)
Differentiation at the Secondary Level (EDTL:4976:0WKA – 1 semester hour), July 8 – 28 (Dr. Kristine Milburn)
Special Topics: Giftedness 101 (EDTL:4076:0WKA – 1 semester hour), July 15 – August 4 (Anna Payne)
Special Topics: Personalized Education and Plans for Gifted (EDTL:4096:0WKB – 1 semester hour), July 6 – July 24 (Lori Duffy-Danker)
Online APSIs
There are some AP Summer Institutes (APSI) that are now providing online workshops. If you are interested in attending an online APSI, please check this College Board website, and make sure to check “filter for online workshops.” The College Board also offers AP Online Professional Development options.
We were anticipating a great week with you, but we will look forward to next year! Please email us at aptti@belinblank.org with any questions.
It is that time of year to plan for summer events, including summer professional development! Make sure to save the date for the 2020 AP Teacher Training Institute (APTTI). This will take place at the University of Iowa campus on June 29 – July 2, 2020. Registration is now open!
We will be offering workshops in the following courses: AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP English Language & Composition, AP English Literature & Composition, AP US Government, and AP US History.
APTTI is a College Board-approved AP Summer Institute (APSI). AP Summer Institutes provide subject-specific training for teachers who are interested in teaching an AP course. Summer Institutes can also benefit current teachers already teaching AP courses to develop their skills, or gain familiarity with the course. Teachers who attended our institute in 2019 shared some of their valued experiences:
“Great instructor! Provided us with many valuable resources. This depth of knowledge was impressive, interesting, and captivating.”
“I learned so much! Great presenter with excellent ideas and information. I’m feeling much more equipped to teach AP [course] now!”
Funding
The Iowa Online AP Academy (IOAPA) offers the AP Institution Grant, a grant to support Iowateachers in attending APTTI (participation in IOAPA not required.) This grant will cover $450 of the $600 registration fee. Click Financial Aid to learn more and to access the grant application. This application is due June 1st, 2020.
Professional Development Credit
We offer two credit options (3 semester hours total) for those who attend APTTI. Participants who enroll receive an automatic 50% tuition scholarship applied to the cost of graduate credit ($560).
EDTL:5080:0WKA (2 semester hours): These credits are earned through participation in APTTI, plus any additional follow-up assignments from the College Board consultants.
EDTL:4976:0WKA (1 semester hour): To extend the learning experience at APTTI, participants can earn credit by enrolling in this course, Differentiation at the Secondary Level. This course is completed online once you have completed APTTI.
State of Iowa Talented and Gifted Endorsement
The Belin-Blank Center offers classes across the required strands that allow for a TAGendorsement to be earned in one summer! Attending APTTI contributes to up to 3 of the 12 required credits (see above). For more information, click here to view all 12 credit options.
For someone with the desire to earn the State of Iowa Talented and Gifted Endorsement, the Belin-Blank Center provides choices of classes across the required strands so that earning the endorsement in one summer is possible (belinblank.org/endorsement)!
Here, we’ve compiled a list of the available options to earn all 12 hours of credit for the endorsement through the Belin-Blank Center this summer.
Online Classes (various semester hours)
Summer classes begin in June with fully online options:
Introduction to Educating Gifted Students (RCE:4137:0EXW – 3 semester hours), June 8 – July 27 (Dr. Susannah Wood)
Special Topics: Understanding and Addressing the Unique Needs of Gifted LGBTQ Students (EDTL:4096:0WKA – 1 semester hour), June 8 – 26 (Dr. Haley Wikoff)
Current Readings and Research (EDTL:4085:0WKA – 1 semester hour), June 15 – July 6 (Dr. Laurie Croft)
Cognitive and Affective Needs of the Gifted (PSQF:4125:0WKA – 1 semester hour), June 29 – July 17 (Dr. Megan Foley Nicpon).
Online classes continue in July:
Differentiation at the Secondary Level (EDTL:4976:0WKA – 1 semester hour), July 8 – 28 (Dr. Kristine Milburn)
Special Topics: Giftedness 101 (EDTL:4076:0WKA – 1 semester hour), July 15 – August 4 (Anna Payne)
Additional opportunities in July include face-to-face time on the University of Iowa campus:
Advanced Placement Teacher Training
EDTL:5080:0WKA (2 semester hours) plus EDTL:4976:0WKA (1 semester hour)
The AP Summer Institute sponsored by the Belin-Blank Center will take place from June 29 – July 2. The credit option will officially begin for those who attend the Institute on July 6 – 14 (Dr. Laurie Croft), giving participants time to get enrolled. Those who choose to enroll in this two-semester-hour credit receive an automatic 50% tuition scholarship applied to the cost of graduate credit. The credit is earned through participation in the Institute, as well as any follow-up assignments from the College Board Consultants. Those APTTI participants who choose to extend their learning experience by enrolling in Differentiation at the Secondary Level (am additional 1 semester hour; see above) receive a 50% scholarship for that class, as well.
Neuroscientific Implications for the Gifted
(PSQF:4128:0WKA – 1 semester hour)
The Summit on the Neuroscience of Twice-Exceptionality, co-hosted by the Belin-Blank Center and the Iowa Neuroscience Institute will take place on July 20 – 21 on the University of Iowa campus. The Summit will bring educators an opportunity to interact with researchers, clinicians, and parents to address the state of research on twice-exceptionality, as well as best practices for supporting 2E students. The credit option will officially begin for those who attend the Summit on July 27 – August 14 (Dr. Laurie Croft), giving participants time to enroll. The credit is earned through reflecting on the Summit, selecting relevant readings, and designing an action plan for advocacy or instruction, meeting personal needs. Summit participants receive an automatic 50% tuition scholarship, applied to the cost of graduate credit.
Belin-Blank Chautauqua
(up to 6 semester hours)
The Belin-Blank Chautauqua mirrors the adult-education movement that was so popular in the late 1800s – early 1900s! Classes bring teachers together for an accelerated learning experience, as well as time to interact with one another. Chautauqua features six separate workshops meeting for two-days each on campus, with additional online components. You can choose one class, or the three classes in one week, or all six classes over the two weeks, from July 6 – August 6. Those who attend all three workshops in one week receive an automatic scholarship for the cost of graduate tuition for one class (you pay for two, the Center provides a full scholarship for one); those who attend all classes over both weeks receive an automatic scholarship for the cost of graduate tuition for one class each week (you pay for four, the Center provides a full scholarship for two).
It’s easy to earn the endorsement over two summers through Chautauqua, receiving scholarships both summers. Classes are always different from year to year; the one-semester-hour classes this summer include:
Week 1: Special Topics: Personal Learning Plans for Gifted (EDTL:4096:0WKB), July 6-7 on campus – July 24 (Lora Danker)
Science for High-Ability Learners (EDTL:4021:0WKA), July 8-9 on campus – July 28 (Dr. Hallie Edgerly) July 10-11 – July 30:
Programming/Curriculum for High Ability: Real-World Problem Solving (EDTL:4073:0WKA), July 12 – 13 on campus – July 30(Dr. Kristine Milburn)
Week 2: Social Studies for High-Ability: Explorer Mindset (EDTL:4065:0WKA), July 13-14 on campus – July 31 (Stacey Snyder)
Advanced Seminar: Solution-Focused Skills for Working with Common Concerns of Gifted Students (RCE:5238:0WKA), July 15-16 on campus – Aug 4 (Dr. Susannah Wood)
Staff Development for Gifted Programs (EPLS:4133:0WKA), July 17-18 on campus – Aug 6 (Dr. Laurie Croft)
The one-semester-hour classes included in the list above are offered in the three-week workshop (i.e., 0WKA) format. These classes have no additional technology fees and focus for three weeks on one topic.
For those who already have the endorsement, the focused one-semester-hour workshop-style classes are ideal for updating skills.
To participate in our classes, you must register with Distance and Online Education as a non-degree seeking student; for the State of Iowa Endorsement in Talented and Gifted Education, you may register as either a graduate or undergraduate student, regardless of your professional status; if you won’t benefit in other ways from the graduate credit, you can save tuition dollars. Once you have your HawkID and password, you can follow the directions to register for the courses that interest you the most; follow belinblank.org/educators/reg. All of our classes fulfill strands required for endorsement.
Are you starting to make summer plans? Don’t forget to add the Advanced Placement Teacher Training Institute (APTTI) into your summer schedule! This professional development opportunity takes place at the University of Iowa campus on June 25-28, 2019. Registration is now open!
APTTI is a College Board approved Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI). AP Summer Institutes provide subject-specific training for teachers who are interested in teaching an AP course. Summer Institutes can also support current teachers of AP courses seeking to develop their skills, or gain familiarity with the course.
“It [APTTI] not only provided me the opportunity to gain an understanding of AP-teaching, but I gained resources and new ideas that I now apply to all of my classes. “
“The training was invaluable…I find myself continually going back to my notes, looking at the resources I obtained at the training, and even emailing the facilitator who still quickly responds to me even though it has now been 2.5 years. I would not be as successful in my classroom had it not been for this training.”
Funding
The Iowa Online AP Academy (IOAPA) offers the AP Institution Grant, a grant to support Iowa teachers in attending APTTI. (Participation in IOAPA not required.) This grant will cover $450 (more than 80%) of the $550 registration fee. Click here to learn more and click here to access the grant application. This application is due June 1st, 2019.
Academic Credit
Teachers who register for APTTI may pursue additional opportunities for graduate-level academic credit and/or Iowa licensure renewal units (additional fees and registration required). University credit is NOT included in the cost of APTTI. Click here to learn more about academic credit options!
Apply today here, and email us at aptti@belinblank.org with any questions or concerns.
Start the New Year off right by planning your summer professional development! Make sure to save the date for the 2019 AP Teacher Training Institute (APTTI). This will take place at the University of Iowa campus on June 25-28, 2019. Registration is now open! We will be offering workshops for AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Physics I, and AP US History.
APTTI is a College Board-approved AP Summer Institute (APSI). AP Summer Institutes provide subject-specific training for teachers who are interested in teaching an AP course. Summer Institutes can also benefit current teachers already teaching AP courses to develop their skills, or gain familiarity with the course. Teachers who attended our previous institutes shared some of their valued experiences:
It gave me a framework for how to structure my course, wording for my syllabus for the College Board, and very valuable information to prepare my students for the AP exam.
Not only did I gain more resources to further my instruction, but I also learned many strategies for implementing these materials. I had the opportunity to learn from an instructor who was vastly knowledgeable and taught us as if we were students…so we could better understand how to teach our own students. This knowledge was immensely valuable!
I feel like this program has a direct impact on high school students…I am more confident in the material and the course/text structure, and my experience as an AP teacher has been much more successful than it would have been without an APTTI.
It was a wonderful course that prepared me to teach AP. The instructor modeled an AP class for us, so we not only left with content knowledge, but methodology knowledge as well. These methods can extend beyond just our AP classes and into our general classes as well.
Funding
We want to inform you of scholarships funded by the College Board that support teachers in attending an APSI. Applications for these scholarships are due Tuesday, February 12th, 2019. Scholarships offered by the College Board are listed below, and you can find more information about these scholarships and the application process here.
AP Fellows Program: For teachers at schools serving minority or low-income students
Scholarship Amount: $1,000 – for cost of tuition and lab fees (when applicable)
AP Rural Fellows Program: For teachers at rural schools
Scholarship Amount: $1,500 – for cost of tuition and lab fees (when applicable)
The Iowa Online AP Academy (IOAPA) also offers the AP Institution Grant, a grant to support Iowateachers in attending APTTI. (Participation in IOAPA not required.) This grant will cover $450 (more than 80%) of the $550 registration fee. Click here to learn more and click here to access the grant application. This application is due June 1st, 2019.
Don’t miss the chance to apply for these great scholarships, especially since deadlines for some are approaching quickly! If you’re considering attending an AP Summer Institute and/or our AP Teacher Training Institute, apply today!
The Belin-Blank Center, in partnership with departments in the University of Iowa College of Education, offers a variety of online classes this summer. While we would love to have you join us on campus for our Chautauqua course series, we know that many of those advocating for gifted/talented students benefit from the flexible online format. Each of the online classes is offered for one semester hour of credit and are three weeks in length. You can learn how to develop creativity in every learner, facilitate research projects, enhance your understanding of differentiation at the secondary level, and more!
If you will be joining us on campus for the Advanced Placement Teacher Training Institute, we offer your choice of two hours of academic credit; the Center provides a 50% tuition scholarship for those who take advantage of the graduate credit.
This week, the Belin-Blank Center is hosting 170 participants and 10 instructors for the Advanced Placement Teacher Training Institute (APTTI). APTTI is a four-day institute that helps high school teachers prepare course materials and instruct on exam readiness. Participants have access to AP consultants, hands-on experience and sample course materials in order to build and improve their AP courses.
If you weren’t able to attend APTTI this year, the College Board still has some great resources to use when developing your AP classes this summer:
AP Teacher Community: Connect with other AP teachers to learn about what others do in their classrooms.
AP Central Resource Search: This site offers a searchable format for class materials that may be helpful in your AP classes.
It is not too late to register for the Advanced Placement Teacher Training Institute (APTTI) at the Belin-Blank Center! APTTI provides teachers with training opportunities for development and teaching of AP curriculum. This year, APTTI will be held on July 7-10 on the University of Iowa campus. Early registration closes on June 27. The following courses still have openings:
AP Biology: This course will cover various topics, including ecology, cellular processes, and genetics and information transfer. Course Instructor: Shari Cohen
AP Chemistry: This class will focus on content, lab work, and inquiry-based learning, as well as recent AP course revisions. Course Instructor: Jennifer Cook Miller
AP Spanish: This course will include discussion of second language acquisition, classroom applications, and familiarization with the AP Spanish exam. Course Instructor: Daniel Bender
AP US Government: Topics covered will include strategies for class set up and teaching, integration of law-related materials into government curriculum, and information about the AP US Government exam. Course Instructor: Brian Stevens
AP Calculus AB/BC: This course will cover topics covered in first-year college-level calculus and strategies for structuring high school AP Calculus courses. Course Instructor: Rosemary Gundacker
For more information, please visit the APTTI website.
Limited financial assistance for APTTI is available. Please contact the Belin-Blank Center for more information.
This summer, the Belin-Blank Center is hosting its face-to-face professional development program over two weeks: Chautauqua I (July 14-18) and Chautauqua II (July 21 – 26, including class on Saturday). The Chautauqua movement in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century was all about adult education, as well as community. Each of the two weeks will offer three separate workshops; limited housing will be available at Burge Residence Hall for those enrolling in all three workshops during either Chautauqua. For those who enroll at the graduate level for all three workshops in either week—or both—the Belin-Blank Center will provide an automatic tuition scholarship for one of the three classes (three workshops for the cost of two). In addition to the workshops each week, optional evening activities are available to Chautauqua participants: movie night, creativity night, and downtown music in Iowa City. More details will be available online in March.
As always, in addition to the face-to-face opportunities, the Center will provide seven online workshops throughout the summer. If it’s been a year since you enrolled, be sure to complete the admission process as a Continuing Education student—not degree-seeking, and not completing a certificate (since that means something quite different than your endorsement).
We look forward to your being a part of the community, either in person on campus in July or through our online workshops. Please share this information with colleagues who would benefit from professional development in gifted education. All workshops apply to the State of Iowa Talented and Gifted Endorsement. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Laurie Croft, Administrator, Professional Development, at laurie-croft@uiowa.edu.
Advanced Placement Teacher Training Institute
The Belin-Blank Center will be hosting the Advanced Placement Teacher Training Institute on the University of Iowa campus July 7 – 10, 2014. The AP Teacher Training Institute is the only College Board certified training for AP courses in the state of Iowa. This year the AP Teacher Training Institute will be offering training in AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP English Lanuage & Composition, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP U.S. Government & Politics, AP Physics 1, and AP U.S. History. The training is available for both graduate and undergraduate credit through the University of Iowa. Additionally, grants and scholarships are available through the Belin-Blank Center (Iowa teachers only) and through the AP Fellows and AP Rural Fellows program (College Board sponsored fellowships). Learn more and register.
Belin-Blank Fellowship
Since 1980, the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa has provided an intensive residential experience for general education teachers and other educators who have little or no previous background in gifted education. All information about the Fellowship program is available online. All applications will be accepted online. Each participant must have a school administrator submit a letter of support online.
The deadline to apply for the Fellowship program is March 3. Twelve (12) applicants will be notified by e-mail of their acceptance to the program.
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