NCLE and PBS The National Center for the Learning Environment (NCLE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to change in the learning environment in order to improve student achievement overall. That change may be related to any of the four areas that NCLE has identified as having the potential to effect that environment: teachers; physical spaces; tools and equipment, including technology; and, the community stakeholders and parents. To have the greatest impact on education, NCLE looks for partners who support similar mission areas to that of NCLE. The Public Broadcast Station (PBS) has been identified as one of those partners with whom we have mutual missions in the education environment. In 2010, NCLE conducted a survey of 200 professional educators and found that after "supplies", professional development was the area identified as the most frustrating part of their professions. It is expensive, hard to complete during the school year, and lacks flexibility in working with the teachers. PBS has a wonderful resource, the Teacherline program. The Teacherline professional development program allows educators to get their continuing education units via alternative delivery and it can be supported by other community entities, like the business partners and parent organizations: having our teachers fully educated on the newest and best materials is important to everyone. NCLE will be sponsoring a Teacherline class within the STEM program area, related to "green education." The goal is to supplement the teachers' cost by 75% – allowing them a full class for only $50. NCLE is conducting a small conference in Mesa Arizona on May 31 and June 1. There are two tracks – one for the teachers and one for administrative personnel like the superintendents, finance directors, facility directors, and business managers. The program is incredibly informative and has a wide area of speakers who are focusing on high performance schools. The full program can be seen here: http://www.saveourschools.us/schedule.html NCLE has received a number of scholarships from the business community. We are now offering those scholarships to our education community!! To take advantage of this exciting opportunity, please go to www.saveourschools.us/rsvp.html As an added bonus, the NCLE/PBS Teacherline program opportunity will be available for registration on site at the NCLE Conference. And as an added incentive, you will certainly enjoy our Green Celebration barbeque on June 1!