Proposal

=Proposal=

TSD will:
 * Partner with CDE to become a Designated Agency of the Alternative Licensure Program.
 * Partner with CSU to create a conduit for student directed coursework at the graduate level.

TSD Innovation Lab will:
 * Select Teacher Interns based on digital portfolio evidence and a personal interview.
 * Provide a monthly stipend to interns.
 * Administer the Alternative Program in partnership with Thompson Online.

TSD Teacher Interns will:
 * Build a robust personal learning network. (Digital artifacts may include: Twitter archives, participation in Ning/moodle environments, etc. See Alec Couros[|"The Networked Teacher"] . Wendy Drexler) We believe this is no longer an optional activity in light of the global learning environment found in the 21st century.)
 * Participate regularly in online learning environments. (Online conferences, webinars, Elluminate sessions, #edchat, etc. .)
 * Reflect on their learning in a multimedia format and post to an open online environment. (May include a blog, posterous, wiki, etc. with videos, audio, images. Personal choice and ownership of this media- TSD may not require a particular platform or vehicle to be used. The Teacher Intern Program may require that students show evidence of trying particular platforms, but ultimate choice resides with the learner. Digital portfolio- if students are doing it, teachers should be too.)
 * Contribute resources to the Innovation Lab repository of online learning for teacher interns so that others to follow, and current teachers, have a place to contribute)
 * Take risks by utilizing new methods and resources in the classroom. (Interns will be a source of innovation and inspiration within TSD. We desire to encourage mistakes, knowing that the best learning occurs when we learn from these mistakes. Mentor teachers must be open to new ideas, and willing to collaborate with teacher interns by giving them the freedom to innovate and supporting that innovation with their experiences.)
 * Refine and develop the TSD Intern Program documentation. (Applications, information sheets, brochures).
 * Collaborate with District level personnel to improve the support for technological innovations and student-directed learning.