Overview
Mission
Teaching Children of Poverty Scholars (TCOPS) is a voluntary, professional organization dedicated to formal study of the impact of poverty on school success and the ways in which cognitive neuroscience can provide the foundation for high-yield interventions and accommodations designed to reveal often-hidden potential.
Membership: This voluntary organization is open to Undergraduate and Graduate Education Majors, as well as In-service public school teachers.
Meetings
Regular meetings are convened three times per semester to facilitate networking and professional study of modules aligned with high-yield teacher practices.
Modules
3 ‘Foundations of Practice’ and ‘25 key practices’ comprise the TCOPS content for study. Individual topics are explored during each meeting, and Modules are open and available in BlackBoard any time.
Certificate of Completion
Scholars utilize a standardized template to represent their learning of Module content in TCOPS journals. Journals are submitted for review and upon successful completion; Scholars can earn Certificates of Completion for each module of study.
Service Recognitions
Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in service opportunities, and Certificates of Service will be awarded to Teacher Members who volunteer to assist the organization with service projects and/or take on leadership roles.
Meetings
Regular Meetings
Three regular meetings are held in both the Fall and Spring semesters, and In-service Teacher Members are encouraged to attend as many and as much of these meetings as their schedules allows. In addition, optional meetings and additional activities may be scheduled to provide enhanced opportunities for networking, service, leadership and study. All meetings are held virtually via Zoom.
Absentee Submissions
Attendance at Regular Meetings is documented through active participation. For Zoom meetings, this active participation involves, but is not limited to, responding in the Chat to questions/tasks posed throughout the meeting. Members who cannot attend the entire meeting or who must be absent from a required meeting will be able to access associated content through on-line videos, and in addition to journal representations, absentee substitution activities are required to regain Good Standing. Currently, a Missed Meeting Template is being used as the substitution activity, so anyone needing to return to Good Standing should contact Ms. Brandis (jbrandis@fmarion.edu) for access to the template.
Teacher Membership: GOOD STANDING Status
Service in Lieu of Dues
The Scholars organization does not require monetary dues, but members wishing to be in Good Standing participate in the Toiletry/Snack Drive held each semester. “Dues” include hosting a drive at a school, church or other civic organization; soliciting/collecting donations (or monetary donations used to purchase needed items); publicizing the event on campus or social media; organizing donations for distribution; or attend the Distribution Day. In addition, ALL scholars must complete an Information Survey and submit a current picture as part of their initiation/continuation into the organization. Dues can be paid/submitted in person at the Center office or through the Marketplace. Survey and current pictures should be submitted electronically.
Attendance
Scholars in Good Standing are encouraged to attend and fully participate in all regular monthly meetings (as documented by participation in the Chat throughout the meeting). Should an absence be necessary, a member may recover Good Standing status by successfully completing the associated online module and related absentee substitution activity.
Module Submissions
Scholars in Good Standing submit completed Sketch Notes of the modules discussed during the Regular Meetings each semester. It is highly recommended that members submit related journal entries within one month of module exposure.
Certificates of Attendance, Participation and/or Service
Certificate of Completion
A Certificate of Completion is awarded for Scholars in Good Standing who participate in virtual and/or in-person module studies and successfully complete journal representations of modules.
Service Recognition
Service Recognition is awarded to Scholars in Good Standing who have documented participation in and completion of Service-Related Activities. It is highly recommended that the Scholar assist with the organization’s service project held each semester, however, acceptable Service-related substitution activities may be allowed but must be approved prior to completion.