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Amazon Future Engineer
Coding/Computer Science

Unveiling Amazon’s Educational Treasures

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

When I think of Amazon, what comes to mind is shopping, checking out reviews, and searching for free shipping options. But after the TCEA Librarian Conference this past June, my educator’s resource-antenna discovered something else: a treasure trove of free educational resources from Amazon’s Future Engineer program. Let’s explore four of them.

1. Amazon Career Tours

Screenshot by author

Looking for engaging ways to ignite your students’ interest in the future of work, explore potential careers, or promote computer science fields? Check out Amazon Career Tours. These gamified tours are currently offered through a Kahoot! which take students inside Amazon using videos followed by quizzes and polls.

The tours cover various topics like:

  • Amazon Music: Careers Behind the Beats
  • Data Center Tour 1: Uncovering Cloud Computing
  • Data Center Tour 2: Keeping Data Safe and Sustainable
  • Robotics FC Tours
  • Alexa in Space Tour

Each tour comes with a Teacher Toolkit containing a facilitator guide, key student learnings, student worksheets and certificates, and alignment with CSTA and NGSS standards. Geared for grades four and above, lessons range from 30 to 45 minutes. You can access the tours for free using a teacher account on Kahoot! or the solo play links on their website. More topics are in the works.

2. Computer Science Courses

Amazon offers free computer science courses through their Amazon Future Engineer program. The AFE program provides standards-aligned, culturally responsive curriculum and teacher training, all requiring no prior coding experience. They say “Anyone can teach these courses!” The CS courses are broken down by grade level and offered by two national providers:

  • Elementary School:
    • Code.org: Computer Science Fundamentals and Computer Science Connections
    • BootUp Professional Development: Scratch Jr. and Scratch Curriculum (District-Wide Sponsorship available)
  • Middle School:
    • Code.org: Computer Science Discoveries (CSD) and Computer Science Fundamentals – Express (CSF)
    • ProjectSTEM: CS Explorations 1: CS Fundamentals in Scratch, CS Explorations 2: AI in our World, CS Explorations 3: Creative CS
  • High School:
    • Code.org: CS Discoveries, CS Principles (Intro and AP), AP CSA
    • ProjectSTEM: CS Python Fundamentals, AP CSP, AP CSA

3. Scholarships and Internships

In 2024, Amazon Future Engineer Scholarships were awarded to over 500 high school seniors. Each student received up to $40,000 in paid tuition and a paid internship at Amazon. Applications for students interested in pursuing an engineering or computer science degree will reopen this fall for the 2025 cohort. Eligibility requirements and FAQs can be found here.

4. Alexas Skills Inventor

Alexa Skills Inventor program on MIT App Inventor

Teachers, spark your students’ interest in the future of technology with Alexa Skills Inventor! Built on MIT App Inventor, this program empowers students aged 14+ to code their own Alexa Skills without needing an actual Amazon device. Using a block code language, students can grasp the fundamentals of voice AI (Artificial Intelligence) and bring their creative voice assistant ideas to life. Educators can sign up for the Alexa Skills Inventor program to access pre-made lesson plans, slide decks, worksheets, and instructional videos.

I hope you forgot shipping calculations for a moment and explored the four resources highlighted in this blog. I could certainly see these being a catalyst to transform your classroom into a launchpad for future tech wizards, innovative thinkers, and curious learners. With just a little exploration, you might discover that Amazon can be a valuable teaching source.

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educator awards
Announcements/Important DatesGood Teaching

2020-21 Educator Awards and Scholarships Nominations Are Open

by Robert Bennett
written by Robert Bennett

The classrooms might be different this year, and the start date of classes might have changed, but the TCEA Educator Awards are opening right on time to recognize exemplary educators who have made a difference for their campuses, colleagues, and students!

If you work in education, chances are you know someone doing incredible work (and there’s no shame in admitting if that person is yourself). It might be a teacher who works hard to establish guidelines for remote learning, or a librarian who is creating amazement on a limited budget. Or it could be a campus tech specialist or an IT pro who makes your job easier every day by being a rock star at theirs.

We want to recognize these heroes and applaud them, their work, and their accomplishments. Because education is about connections from person to person, and that experience becomes extraordinary with extraordinary people.

Nominations can be submitted via the forms below, with the last possible date being October 30th. The award winners will be announced during the TCEA Convention scheduled for February. 

Award Nomination Forms:

TCEA also awards three scholarships to undergraduate students and those already in the profession. Scholarship recipients are awarded between $500 and $1,000 based on the criteria of the scholarship.

Scholarship Applications:

Remember: Nominations are open from September 1 through October 30, 2020. Don’t delay — nominate yourself or a colleague now!

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Extraordinary Educators Wanted: The TCEA Educator Awards Nominations Are Now Open!

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written by

Fall brings autumn leaves, new school year excitement, and of course, the opening of the annual TCEA Educator Awards and Scholarships. Each year, TCEA recognizes exemplary educators who are doing the heavy lifting to implement technology, find innovative solutions, and create learning without limits. If you work in education, chances are you know someone doing incredible work. (And there’s no shame in admitting if that person is yourself!) It might be a teacher who is designing opportunities for engaged learning or a librarian who is creating amazement on a limited budget. Or it could be a campus tech specialist or an IT pro who makes your job easier every day by being a rock star at theirs.

Here is my personal invite to you to nominate the extraordinary educator or educators in your life!

These are the categories for the different awards and the forms to nominate someone.

Award Nomination Forms:

TCEA also awards three scholarships to undergraduate students and those already in the profession. Scholarship recipients are awarded between $500 and $1,000 based on the criteria of the scholarship.

Scholarship Applications:

Nominations are open from September 10 through October 28, 2018. I hope you will nominate one (or several) amazing educators today.

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Announcements/Important Dates

2017 Educator Award and Scholarship Winners

by Erin Taylor
written by Erin Taylor

“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things,” General Colin Powell once observed, “you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.”

Each year, TCEA recognizes and promotes excellence in teachers and administrators from across the country for their dedication to the integration of technology in the classroom. Winners for 2017 were announced at a ceremony and reception on Tuesday, February 7 during the 2017 convention. Award recipients received a $1,000 prize, and two finalists in each category received $500 prizes. We are pleased to congratulate these educators in the following categories.

Award Recipients

The Technical Support Person of the Year award recognizes exemplary support personnel who make significant contributions by providing technical support to facilitate the successful use of technology on a campus or at the district level.

  • Sandra Urista, Canutillo ISD (Finalist)
  • Betty Weddle, Temple ISD (Finalist)
  • Jonathan Rowe, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD (Recipient)

The Library Media Specialist of the Year award recognizes a Texas-certified librarian who actively promotes the integration of technology in the library media center and works collaboratively to promote and support the integration of technology throughout the curriculum.

  • Shirley Dalby, Burleson ISD (Finalist)
  • Kimberly LaMarre, Pflugerville ISD (Finalist)
  • Suzanne Ross, Keller ISD (Recipient)

The High Impact Teacher of the Year award is presented to a teacher who exhibits exemplary use of technology in the classroom. This award recipient will also be entered into ISTE’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year contest.

  • Katie Chirhart, Caddo Parish School Board (Finalist)
  • Amanda Kinney, Texarkana ISD (Finalist)
  • Marisa Vickery, Dripping Springs ISD (Recipient)

The Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year award recognizes exemplary personnel who work with one or more campuses in technology planning and curriculum integration.

  • Vanessa Jones, Austin ISD (Finalist)
  • Melissa Motes, DeKalb ISD (Finalist)
  • Brianna Hodges, Stephenville ISD (Recipient)

The District or Campus Administrator of the Year award is presented to a district or campus administrator who recognizes the importance of technology in the teaching and learning process and actively promotes the use of technology on the campus or throughout the district.

  • Joe Gordy, Graham ISD (Finalist)
  • Meritte Threadgill, Klein ISD (Finalist)
  • Herbert “Trey” Wright, McKinney ISD (Recipient)

The Technology Administrator of the Year award is presented to a technology administrator who exhibits exemplary vision and management of technology at the district level.

  • Sherry Mitchell, Lubbock ISD (Finalist)
  • Mark Simmons, Sabine Pass ISD (Finalist)
  • Chris Nilsson, Lamar CISD (Recipient)

The School Board of the Year award is presented to a school board that recognizes the importance of technology in the teaching and learning process and actively promotes the use of technology throughout the district. The award this year goes to Denton ISD: Barbara Burns, Dorothy Martinez, Dr. Jim Alexander, Doug Chadwick, Mia Price, Dr. Jeanetta Smith, Charles Stafford, and Dr. Jamie Wilson.

At the awards ceremony, additional prestigious recognitions were also announced:

Making IT Happen

  • Karla Burkholder, Schertz-Cibolo-U City ISD (Recipient)
  • Candace Threadgill, Retired (Recipient)

Advocacy Award

  • Mark Gabehart, Round Rock ISD (Recipient)
  • Hal Speed, Dell (Recipient)

Friends of Education Award
Senator Larry Taylor (Recipient)

Scholarship Recipients

TCEA also awards scholarships to deserving teachers and students who want to further their knowledge of educational technology. Current and future educators were awarded in two scholarship categories:

Richard A Brown Student Scholarship
Sherry Yi, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Recipient)

Robert E. Knight Professional Scholarship
Valeri Michna, University of North Texas, Fort Sam Houston ISD (Recipient)

2018 Nomination Process

Do you know an educator who demonstrates excellence?  Each September, TCEA accepts award nominations. Learn more about the online nomination process here.

 

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Announcements/Important Dates

Do You Know Someone Who Deserves $1,000?

by Carrie McFarland
written by Carrie McFarland

One of the most heart-warming encounters I can recall happened at convention last year. An attendee walked up to TCEA’s own Peggy Reimers, asked if she had been a fourth grade teacher, and went on to explain that she had been a student in Ms. Reimers’ class years ago. This attendee went on to say she had been inspired to become a teacher because of Ms. Reimers. This former student glowed with appreciation and admiration, almost as though she were meeting a hero, as she was reunited with her former teacher.

Even though we know that most teachers do not expect to be recognized for doing their job, I hope that every educator will have a moment such as this: a moment when they know their hard work is truly appreciated. When educators are recognized, it not only reinforces their value and accomplishments, but can also serve as a catalyst for inspiring and motivating others.

What Is This About $1,000?

This brings me to the $1,000. Each year, TCEA gives out more than $16,000 in prizes and scholarships to deserving educators who are using educational technology to transform student learning. We hand out prizes in eight different award categories and three different scholarship categories with the award recipients receiving $1,000 and the two runner-ups each receiving $500. I’ll bet you know someone (a teacher, librarian, educator, administrator, or college student) who is eligible for one of the categories and deserves to be honored.

How Do I Nominate Someone (Or Myself)?

The process is super easy. Just check out the Awards and Scholarships categories. Anytime between September 12 and October 14, complete the application for a colleague, peer, or even yourself using the quick online form. That’s it. We’ll follow up with each nominee and take it from there.

What Happens Next?

In February, we host a formal Awards and Scholarships Reception at the Annual TCEA Convention & Exposition. It’s a wonderful evening, overflowing with energy, anticipation, and applause. The winners and runner-ups are announced, presented with their awards and prizes, and all go home a little bit richer and feeling more appreciated.

How Can I Help?

We need your nominations, and we only have a few short weeks to gather them. Please take a moment to consider those in your school and district who are doing amazing things with educational technology. Your nomination will mean so much to them, not only as a recognition of the work they are doing, but a chance to walk away with a cash prize.

 

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You Deserve an Award!

by Lori Gracey
written by Lori Gracey

Educators don’t receive the recognition they deserve, which is terrible. TCEA wants to remedy that and call attention to all of the amazing things that teachers, campus and district leaders, librarians, technical support staff, and more are doing every day in our schools with our Educator Awards and Scholarships program. Nominations are open now from September 14 – October 16. The awards will be presented at a formal awards ceremony and reception during TCEA’s Annual Convention & Exhibition in February.

These awards recognize excellence in the integration of technology in schools and have been bestowed upon some of the most innovative and engaging educators in Texas. Award recipients receive a $1,000 prize and two finalists in each category receive $500 prizes. One award recipient and two finalists are chosen in each of these eight categories:

  • Classroom Teacher of the Year
  • District or Campus Administrator of the Year
  • Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year
  • Library Media Specialist of the Year
  • Lifetime Achievement for the Advancement of Technology in Education
  • Superintendent of the Year
  • Technical Support Person of the Year
  • Technology Administrator of the Year

TCEA Scholarships are awarded each year to deserving teachers and students studying technology in education. TCEA encourages and applauds members who choose to continue learning about technology, and scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals seeking continuing education. Working on a higher education degree? We have a $1,000 scholarship for that. Have a son or daughter pursuing a career in education? We have a $1,000 scholarship for that. Want to attend a professional learning conference or workshop? We have a $500 scholarship for you.

The nomination process is simple and easy, so get started on it today.

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