You might see someone you know profiled there or you may even see your own profile along with your initials and the state that you hail from. We change the profiles frequently, several times a week, so you can get an idea about the depth and breadth of the many highly qualified, as well as the newly qualified, people that take the time to become Gateway members. In keeping with the respect we have for our members privacy, we limit the amount of personal information that we divulge there but, we have so many well qualified and experience members that we just had to start sharing some of that information.

The membership feature is a prelude to some of the exciting new changes that are in the works over the summer months while, some of you, are less likely to be inconvenienced by the necessary mechanics in the background. If you have experienced a little disruption, that is because we are busy building on to the Gateway in the background, in preparation for the good things coming your way. Soon you will be seeing new dynamic features, a fresh new look and more and more valuable learning resources appearing on the Gateway to 21st Century Skills. Many of these new features will require that you become a member, just like on other networking sites. We want you to join the conversation but we want to know who you are, too. The only way other members know and can put a value to the contribution you make is by knowing a bit about you and your experience. That concept underlies all the information sharing site that you now visit and, of course, is totally voluntary if you want to join in. If you choose not too, that is OK, too. You can still search and find basic information about the more than 50,000 learning resources we have searchable on the site.

But membership has its rewards, as they say. With the Gateway to 21st Century Skills, members get more detailed information, can make comments and recommendation about resources and get more of the information that they need.

For example, members will get full access to our Gateway Featured Resource. We scour our collection for timely and meaningful resources, then feature one of them on the home page right under the center search panel. There are new Featured Resources appearing almost every day so you will want to log in often. We carefully select from the best of the best, the newest of the newest and the most interesting resources we can find. Members can click on the Featured Resource and be taken directly to the full details about the resource. The full view includes information that will help you prepare to make the most of that particular exercise. You will see the audience it is recommended for, the grades it is appropriate for, what essential items you will want to have ready when you teach the exercise, keywords for the resource, a link directly to the resource, comments from other members about the resource and so much more.

Each item in our extensive catalog of web based resources is carefully identified with terms that were specifically chosen for educator’s use and to make it quick and easy to find each one. You find so much more, not only about the specific resource but about other resources that are similar. The search engine on the Gateway is made so “discovery” is inherent to the search process. Unlike a regular web search, the Gateway returns items in numerous ways. A keyword can start the process but then the facets of the search open up. You can browse through the search results by any number of criteria, by grade, by resource type, by other subjects that it may correlate with and many other possibilities. The search works just like a good shopping web site, like Amazon or Barnes and Nobel. You find things you never knew were there or exactly the thing you need. It is your choice. That’s what we mean when we say “discovery.”

So, we hope to see you and maybe your profile too, on the Gateway soon! Log in today and start making your contribution as well as making your search for learning resources the best it can be.

We want to hear from… you! What improvements would you like to see? Send your suggestions, thoughts and observations on how we can make the Gateway to 21st Century Skills a more valuable tool for you, your students and your fellow educators. Contact Bruce Walker at brucew@jesandco.org.

Who’s a Gateway Member?

All over the nation and from around the world, from students and pre-service teachers to experienced educators in all parts of educational enterprise, everyone finds value in the Gateway collection of learning resources. The community is growing in size and harnessing the awesome power that comes from a huge set of teaching and life skills. Here are a few of the recently featured member profiles from the home page of the Gateway!

B.C. -MD
I am the Interim Director of the Faculty Development Center at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).

S.O. - IN
I am an eighth grade science teacher at Marshall Intermediate Center. I just finished my first year of teaching. Surprisingly, I enjoyed teaching middle school. I am licensed to teach Biology at the high school level, which was my initial goal. However, I came to enjoy middle school science.

T. - NY
A native of Rochester, NY, I am a recent graduate in Biomedical Engineering ('09) at the University of Rochester. I specialized in Signals and Imaging. Currently I am working for the David T. Kearns Center's Upward Bound Program at the University of Rochester. I am teaching electrical circuits and MATLAB to high school students this summer in my "Intro to Engineering Course". I am planning to go to graduate school to attain a PhD in Biomedical Engineering.

M.S.- TN
I graduated from Cumberland College with an Associate of Arts, Carson-Newman-College with a Bachelor of Arts, and the University of Tennessee with a Master of Arts in English. I currently teach English I and English III at Oliver Springs High School in Oliver Springs Tennessee. I am always looking for new ideas to use in my classroom.

Y.P. - VA
I am a Math Coach at Spratley Middle School in Hampton, Virginia. I coach teachers in preparing lessons that are innovative and meet the Virginia Standards of Learning. I also coach small groups of students so they can meet and surpass the benchmark SOL's.

M.T. - NY
2000-2005 served as the GEM Project Coordinator, Marilyn Tickner says the site's user-friendly interface and high-quality resources allow teachers to find just what they need quickly! Currently working as office coordinator for the Division of Student Affairs at Syracuse University.

C. - HI
A 4th grade reading teacher who believes that student motivation and teacher preparedness are the two basic keys to successful teaching and learning.

M.H. - TN
I have been teaching oral communication for 25 years. I am interested in learning how to do this in an online environment. I have 2 loveable dog "children": Pepper and Muggs.

H.J. -WI
Teach English, Speech & Drama in an Adult High School diploma program at Gateway Technical College in Racine, WI

M.D. - MN
After many years, I am returning to my career as an English teacher in grades 7-12. I want to refresh my teaching skills and learn new ideas for engaging and motivating students. I will be taking the PRAXIS PLT and subject tests soon.

R.R. - WV
I am a 23-year veteran of teaching in the great state of West Virginia. I currently teach 8th grade Science, but I am also certified in Mathematics.

C.G. - LA
Hey! … I am 25, and I am in an alternative certification program for Elementary Education. I have a degree in Psychology, and I am looking forward to being a first time teacher.

C.G. - HI
I am a high school teacher at Connections Public Charter School in Hilo, Hawaii.

You can share those observations with your peers or make comments that are only for your use. It’s like your own personal Gateway to over 50,000 quality learning resources.

What’s New?

A 21st century education requires not only historical context but a reflection of the rapidly changing world around us. That’s why the Gateway to 21st century skills is such a valuable asset for educators. We keep fresh lesson ideas and timely topics coming to you so you don’t have to search all over the Internet for them. And, with our advanced search techniques you can find just the right combinations for your teaching challenges. Engage your students like never before with free lessons like these. Your students and your peers will notice the difference!

You've Got My Vote! Comparing Electoral Systems Worldwide in the Wake of Presidential Tie-Up 2000
In this lesson, students first explore the ruling of the United States Supreme Court on the ballot recounting ordered by the Florida State Supreme Court. Students then work in small groups to research and compare the judicial and electoral processes and institutions of selected foreign countries to those of the United States.

Is It Worth It? Sharing Opinions about the Value of a College Degree
In this lesson, students share opinions about the value of a college degree by reviewing a number of statistics, opinions and analyses.

Consuming History: Investigating Foods from Different Times and Places Around the World
In this lesson, students will research various foods as well as indigenous plants and animals from different historical eras around the world. They then use their research to create a design for "theme" restaurants.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Expressing the Multitude of Effects Initiated by the Discovery of DNA
In this lesson, students reflect on the role of DNA in society since its discovery in 1953 by creating works of art and poetry that metaphorically illustrate the importance, influence and concerns of DNA research.

The Language of Love: Discovering the Cultural Aspects of Love and Courtship in the Social Studies Classroom
In this lesson, students examine the cultural aspects of love, courtship, and marriage around the world. After researching the rituals, language and symbols of love of specific countries, students create 'Valentines' exhibiting their newly acquired knowledge.

The Tell-Tale Hearts of Writers: Exploring the Lives of Authors Through Their Literature
In this lesson, students use a piece of literature by and an article about Edgar Allan Poe to investigate the relationship between word choice and the reader’s mood and interpretation of a piece of writing. Each student then creates a visual display that examines a favorite writer through biographical information, analysis of quotations about the author and his or her works, and interpretation of a piece of the author’s writing.

Pi(e) Anyone? Estimating Pi Three Different Ways
In this lesson, students use poetry and experimentation to learn about and estimate the value of pi. Then, they use their knowledge about pi to write their own poems on the subject.

Words from the Heart: Exploring the Creative Process of Writing Poetry in the Style of Child Poet Mattie J.T. Stepanek
In this lesson, students learn about the unexpected success of young poet Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Then, by creating poems using the same method that Mattie's mother used to help him write his early poems, students will explore the creative process of writing poetry.

Of Electron Bondage Creating Models of Ionic and Covalent Bonds in the Science Classroom
In this lesson, students create models of ionic and covalent electronic bonds to demonstrate their understanding of these chemistry concepts. Students then explain how both ionic bonds and covalent bonds work so that younger children would find the information appealing and understandable.

Minding Your Body: Investigating the Mind-Body Connection
In this lesson, students learn about baseball players who incorporate yoga and meditation into their pre-season training. They then investigate a number of mind-body techniques to present and demonstrate to the class.

Fight for Your Rights: Exploring First Amendment Issues at Columbia University
In this lesson, students will create role-plays based on recent situations involving free speech at Columbia University and then write informed fictional letters to the editor.
NEA has partnered with the GEM Exchange, Gateway to Educational Materials, and JES & Co to support Gateway to 21st Century Skills, a website that combines state-of the art search technologies and a complete database of state academic standards for core subjects. The Gateway is your link to the resources you need to make learning meaningful and fun for your students.

New information about 21st century learning resources is being added every week to the Gateway. Don’t miss out on these great new additions. Here are just a few more recent examples of new items that you can find on the Gateway for you and your students.

Are Your Members Using the Gateway?

The Gateway to 21st Century Skills receives thousands of visits a month from dedicated educators all over the world. The community is developing into a diverse and interesting group with tremendous talent to share! Come and join us as we pioneer the way to the vision of a 21st century education. Become a member and network with other educators. Use the information from the Gateway learning resources in other Web 2.0 friendly applications, your portfolio, store it on your calendar for easy planning or share it with your student, parents and administrator. The Gateway is here to help you easily meet your needs and make your teaching day easier!

If your NEA state affiliate website doesn’t link to the Gateway to 21st Century Skills as a resource on your state website, they are surely missing the 21st Century. Tell them you need resources and a link to the Gateway! In terms of a teaching tool, it is one of the greatest benefits that NEA has ever made available to its members.

Iowa and Georgia are the newest additions to our growing list of states and organizations that display their logos on customized versions of the Gateway! Both of these new states and Connecticut Retired Education Association, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Wyoming, Wyoming Student Education Association, Hawaii, Maryland, Colorado, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Washington, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, South Dakota and Tennessee and have all created versions of the Gateway that displays the state affiliate logos.

And now, not only will your affiliate members be greeted with a view of your logo but anyone who declares that they hail from your branded state will also see that affiliate’s logo. This will underscore your local commitment to provide the members of the profession with the tools and resources they need to succeed in driving improvements to student achievement.