Date: Thursday, 23 December 2004 7:47am ET
To: jwhitehurst
From: ggull@dpi.state.nc.us
Subject: Re: CTE Certification for Jane Whitehurst, Wake County
I have contacted the person internally for Business Education and called Dixie Newsome--both must be out for holidays....I'll call them first thing Tuesday to follow up if I do not hear from them today--the problem on this is WHAT they want her to teach(not really a "mainline" CTE course) and what certification they asked for! GG
Gayenell Campbell Gull
23 December 2004
03 December 2004
CTE Certification for Jane Whitehurst, Wake County
Date: Friday, 3 December 2004 12:22pm ET
To: ksullivan@dpi.state.nc.us
Cc: BPRIVETT, DLNEWSOME, jisrael@dpi.state.nc.us, JWHITEHURST, MWRISLEY, swhite@dpi.state.nc.us
From: JWHITEHURST@WCPSS
Subject: CTE Certification for Jane Whitehurst, Wake County
Please read the attached letter. Please note that you will be receiving a copy in the mail.
Jane Whitehurst
To: ksullivan@dpi.state.nc.us
Cc: BPRIVETT, DLNEWSOME, jisrael@dpi.state.nc.us, JWHITEHURST, MWRISLEY, swhite@dpi.state.nc.us
From: JWHITEHURST@WCPSS
Subject: CTE Certification for Jane Whitehurst, Wake County
Please read the attached letter. Please note that you will be receiving a copy in the mail.
Jane Whitehurst
USPS Letter to Kathy Sullivan
USPS Letter to Kathy Sullivan
December 3, 2004
Dear Mrs. Sullivan:
My name is Jane Whitehurst, and I am currently teaching computer programming (Visual Basic, C++, and Java) at Apex High School in Apex, North Carolina. I am writing this letter to try to resolve a certification issue and to help ensure my job status for next year as a CTE teacher for the school year 2005-2006.
In January 2004, I requested a transfer within Wake County from Broughton High School to Apex High School. At Broughton I was teaching prealgebra, algebra, computer science I (scheme), II (scheme), III (c++), IV(c++), AP (java), and IB (java) all within the math department. At Apex, I teach computer programming courses, visual basic, c++, and java, all of which are in the CTE Business Department.
I asked for my transcripts to be evaluated to obtain licensing in CTE Business to teach these courses. I received a letter dated April 23 from Algina Mitchell, Site Coordinator of the Nash Regional Alternative Licensing Center stating that I had to complete credit for two courses, "Instructional Methods" and "Work Based Learning/Organization", as well as pass the PRAXIS II Subject test in order to maintain my employment status.
The PRAXIS exam tests only skills in economics, money management, business, processing information, communication, accounting, and marketing. My computer programming knowledge could not be evaluated with such an exam, and I was hired only to teach computer-programming courses. I am teaching the same courses this year as I did last year (only difference is the department in which I am teaching now--CTE), and I am using the pacing guide that I created; therefore, I do not understand the rationale for my having to take additional courses, as well as the Praxis.
I approached my county licensure administrator, Jessica Bragg, to determine a solution for this situation, and she stated that I would need to go to the state department and speak with someone in person about my situation. I contacted a colleague in Guilford County, who suggested John Baars as a contact in the State Department of Public Instruction. Mr. Baars gave me your name as someone who could help. To help you understand my background, here is a list of my credentials:
§ Current employment - Wake County (where I helped create programming pacing guides)
§ 3 years employment - Oak Creek High School, Wisconsin (where I wrote the programming curriculum)
§ A Wisconsin license to teach computer programming in high school
§ A post-baccalaureate certification in computer science 9-12
§ A master of science in computer science education
§ An undergraduate bachelor of arts in computer science with an education minor
I am requesting that you help me with this certification issue, as I believe I should be allowed to have certification in CTE to teach these courses without additional conditions. If I can answer any questions, or if I need to meet with you or someone in person, please let me know. I will certainly appreciate any help you can give me in getting this certification issue resolved, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. You may contact me at 919-971-5133 (cell) or email me at jwhitehurst@wcpss.net. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Jane Sutherland Whitehurst
Teacher, CTE Computer Science
c: Mrs. Shelia White, Education Program Specialist Rebecca Privett, CTE Chairperson, Apex High
Mrs. Judith Israel, Education Program Specialist Dixie Newsome, CTE Senior Director, WCPSS
December 3, 2004
Dear Mrs. Sullivan:
My name is Jane Whitehurst, and I am currently teaching computer programming (Visual Basic, C++, and Java) at Apex High School in Apex, North Carolina. I am writing this letter to try to resolve a certification issue and to help ensure my job status for next year as a CTE teacher for the school year 2005-2006.
In January 2004, I requested a transfer within Wake County from Broughton High School to Apex High School. At Broughton I was teaching prealgebra, algebra, computer science I (scheme), II (scheme), III (c++), IV(c++), AP (java), and IB (java) all within the math department. At Apex, I teach computer programming courses, visual basic, c++, and java, all of which are in the CTE Business Department.
I asked for my transcripts to be evaluated to obtain licensing in CTE Business to teach these courses. I received a letter dated April 23 from Algina Mitchell, Site Coordinator of the Nash Regional Alternative Licensing Center stating that I had to complete credit for two courses, "Instructional Methods" and "Work Based Learning/Organization", as well as pass the PRAXIS II Subject test in order to maintain my employment status.
The PRAXIS exam tests only skills in economics, money management, business, processing information, communication, accounting, and marketing. My computer programming knowledge could not be evaluated with such an exam, and I was hired only to teach computer-programming courses. I am teaching the same courses this year as I did last year (only difference is the department in which I am teaching now--CTE), and I am using the pacing guide that I created; therefore, I do not understand the rationale for my having to take additional courses, as well as the Praxis.
I approached my county licensure administrator, Jessica Bragg, to determine a solution for this situation, and she stated that I would need to go to the state department and speak with someone in person about my situation. I contacted a colleague in Guilford County, who suggested John Baars as a contact in the State Department of Public Instruction. Mr. Baars gave me your name as someone who could help. To help you understand my background, here is a list of my credentials:
§ Current employment - Wake County (where I helped create programming pacing guides)
§ 3 years employment - Oak Creek High School, Wisconsin (where I wrote the programming curriculum)
§ A Wisconsin license to teach computer programming in high school
§ A post-baccalaureate certification in computer science 9-12
§ A master of science in computer science education
§ An undergraduate bachelor of arts in computer science with an education minor
I am requesting that you help me with this certification issue, as I believe I should be allowed to have certification in CTE to teach these courses without additional conditions. If I can answer any questions, or if I need to meet with you or someone in person, please let me know. I will certainly appreciate any help you can give me in getting this certification issue resolved, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. You may contact me at 919-971-5133 (cell) or email me at jwhitehurst@wcpss.net. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Jane Sutherland Whitehurst
Teacher, CTE Computer Science
c: Mrs. Shelia White, Education Program Specialist Rebecca Privett, CTE Chairperson, Apex High
Mrs. Judith Israel, Education Program Specialist Dixie Newsome, CTE Senior Director, WCPSS
14 October 2004
RE:Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Date: Thursday, 14 October 2004 3:16pm ET
To: JWHITEHURST
From: JBRAGG
Subject: RE:Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Jane,
What you will need to do is go to the state department and speak with someone in person about your situation.
Jessica Bragg
To: JWHITEHURST
From: JBRAGG
Subject: RE:Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Jane,
What you will need to do is go to the state department and speak with someone in person about your situation.
Jessica Bragg
12 October 2004
RE:Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Date: Tuesday, 12 October 2004 12:43pm ET
To: JBRAGG, JWHITEHURST
From: JWHITEHURST
Subject: RE:Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Jessica,
I received the information on the classes at East Carolina University. The problem is not that I need to know what courses to take but that I don't believe I should have to take any courses. I have a masters degree in computer science education to teach programming, which is what I was hired to teach. I really want to dispute the actions I have to take to keep my job. I understand that it is only 2 courses, but I am prepared to discuss reasons to forfeit the classes. I am interested in the name of whom I should contact regarding these issues. Also, the praxis material I received mentions data on economics, money management, business, office management, accounting and marketing. I have not taken courses in any of this and would surely fail to pass such a test. I teach computer programming and would gladly take a C++, Java, or VB test if there were such.
Jane Whitehurst
To: JBRAGG, JWHITEHURST
From: JWHITEHURST
Subject: RE:Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Jessica,
I received the information on the classes at East Carolina University. The problem is not that I need to know what courses to take but that I don't believe I should have to take any courses. I have a masters degree in computer science education to teach programming, which is what I was hired to teach. I really want to dispute the actions I have to take to keep my job. I understand that it is only 2 courses, but I am prepared to discuss reasons to forfeit the classes. I am interested in the name of whom I should contact regarding these issues. Also, the praxis material I received mentions data on economics, money management, business, office management, accounting and marketing. I have not taken courses in any of this and would surely fail to pass such a test. I teach computer programming and would gladly take a C++, Java, or VB test if there were such.
Jane Whitehurst
08 September 2004
RE:Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Date: Wednesday, 8 September 2004 12:31pm ET
To: JWHITEHURST
Cc: MCHAPPELL, MWINDLE
From: JBRAGG
Subject: RE:Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Jane
Now, in looking at the courses the reason it is 12 hours is because one class is an intern. I have spoken with the RALC and she will be faxing some information to me with other schools that offer classes for Business Education. I will send the information to you through inter-office mail.
Please take a look at the information that is being sent to you before you decide to write a letter to someone. If this information is not helpful then I will give you the name of the person you need to address. Please remember you only need two classes and the Praxis test.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Jessica Bragg
To: JWHITEHURST
Cc: MCHAPPELL, MWINDLE
From: JBRAGG
Subject: RE:Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Jane
Now, in looking at the courses the reason it is 12 hours is because one class is an intern. I have spoken with the RALC and she will be faxing some information to me with other schools that offer classes for Business Education. I will send the information to you through inter-office mail.
Please take a look at the information that is being sent to you before you decide to write a letter to someone. If this information is not helpful then I will give you the name of the person you need to address. Please remember you only need two classes and the Praxis test.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Jessica Bragg
03 September 2004
Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Date: Friday, 3 September 2004 3:00pm ET
To: JBRAGG
From: JWHITEHURST
Subject: Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Jessica,
I originally received a letter from DPI on April 23 stating that I needed to fulfill four competency requirements to get my license in BUSINESS to teach at Apex High School.
My courses are in the BUSINESS department at Apex but were in the MATH department, for which I am licensed, at Broughton.
I then received followup email from you that I could be exempt from two of the requirements. I wrote NC State's business ed department and asked what classes would fulfill those requirements. They stated I needed to take ECI 561, 562, and 657 (total of 12 hours) and pass the PRAXIS II test. I would like to find out exactly what is required of me. I did not sign up for any courses this fall.
My new job is YES in a different school BUT in the same county and teaching the same courses. I have a license to teach all computer science so says Wisconsin. I have written curriculum for two counties, Oak Creek and Wake, about programming courses.
I have graded AP exams in programming. And I have a masters to teach computer science.
I want to grieve the process I am being mandated to complete. I appreciate all that you have done for me in the past with my licensing and am hoping that you can help me.
Please tell me the avenues I need to take to professionally argue my position.
Sincerely
Jane Whitehurst
To: JBRAGG
From: JWHITEHURST
Subject: Changing Licensure from Math to Business
Jessica,
I originally received a letter from DPI on April 23 stating that I needed to fulfill four competency requirements to get my license in BUSINESS to teach at Apex High School.
My courses are in the BUSINESS department at Apex but were in the MATH department, for which I am licensed, at Broughton.
I then received followup email from you that I could be exempt from two of the requirements. I wrote NC State's business ed department and asked what classes would fulfill those requirements. They stated I needed to take ECI 561, 562, and 657 (total of 12 hours) and pass the PRAXIS II test. I would like to find out exactly what is required of me. I did not sign up for any courses this fall.
My new job is YES in a different school BUT in the same county and teaching the same courses. I have a license to teach all computer science so says Wisconsin. I have written curriculum for two counties, Oak Creek and Wake, about programming courses.
I have graded AP exams in programming. And I have a masters to teach computer science.
I want to grieve the process I am being mandated to complete. I appreciate all that you have done for me in the past with my licensing and am hoping that you can help me.
Please tell me the avenues I need to take to professionally argue my position.
Sincerely
Jane Whitehurst
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
