Conference Overview
8th Annual National Teacher Advancement Program Conference
To Offer Hands-On, In-Depth TAP™ Experience
The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is gearing up for its 8th Annual National Teacher Advancement Program (TAP)™ Conference, to be held March 28-30, 2008, at the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
Hundreds of teachers and principals, as well as representatives from states, districts and schools across the country, will gather to reflect on TAP's progress over the past year as one of the nation's leading comprehensive teacher quality reform models, and highlight goals for the future. The conference will also allow new and prospective TAP schools to gain in-depth insight into TAP’s structure and implementation in its diverse set of nearly 200 urban, suburban and rural schools.
TAP has been a key ingredient to improving teacher quality and student achievement because it offers a powerful reform package that helps teachers and students reach their highest potential. With TAP's career advancement opportunities, ongoing professional development, fair and transparent accountability system and competitive compensation, teachers receive the tools and support they need to reach the ultimate goal: student learning .
At the National TAP Conference, attendees will learn how TAP’s elements are put into practice to create effective reform.
*How are schools restructured to accommodate TAP?
*How do you sustain funding in a TAP school?
*How do you maintain sustainability after three years?
*How do teacher performance awards impact collegiality?
*How do you evaluate and assess performance awards for specialists? For principals?
*How does the TAP model accommodate middle and high schools?
The National TAP Conference will provide a one-stop-shop for answers to these common questions. Hearing directly from teachers, principals and others involved with the daily implementation of TAP will add an invaluable benefit to the conference experience.
Multiplying networking opportunities more than ever before, this year the National TAP Conference will be held in conjunction with the Milken National Education Conference (NEC)—an annual gathering of Milken Educator Award recipients and distinguished representatives from academia, government, business and the community to tackle solutions to America’s biggest challenges in education.
The event, themed "Educators as Leaders," will allow TAP Conference attendees to participate in both TAP sessions and NEC sessions, as well as forge connections with the newest class of Milken Educators. All TAP Conference attendees are also invited as guests to the Milken Educator Awards Gala and Dinner on Sunday evening, March 30, one of the most spectacular celebrations of teaching in the nation.
At the conference's helm, Lowell Milken, chairman of NIET and founder of TAP, will welcome TAP Conference attendees with a special address on Friday evening, March 28. As TAP’s creator and architect, Lowell will bring a unique perspective on the program’s history, philosophies and mission)—complementing TAP’s day-to-day operations in classrooms impacting 5,000 teachers and 60,000 students.
All participants together will spark exciting and highly meaningful conversations to achieve Teacher Excellence...Student Achievement...Opportunities for All.
Testimonials
"A great network of TAP staff members and TAP schools are able to meet, collaborate, and share concerns and ideas! The conference is an excellent opportunity for all of us to listen to each other and make changes where needed so that we may better serve the children we so deeply care about."
- Karen Flowers, Mentor Teacher, River Ridge, Louisiana
"I truly feel that the entire conference was worthwhile, especially in helping me to grow professionally. Thank you for the great strategies at the panels and trainings!"
- Cynthia-Ann Armstrong, Mentor Teacher, Beaufort, South Carolina
Joanna Reeves, Master Teacher, Sanford Middle School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
". . . The TAP Rubric is a coaching tool that the teachers can use to improve or incorporate new elements into their practice. It also allows them to become conscious of what they are doing effectively and should continue to do as part of their practice."