About PTEC

Overview

The Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PTEC) is an association of physics departments dedicated to the improvement of K-12 physics and physical science teacher preparation. PTEC is an inclusive organization that recognizes the value of diverse approaches to the reform of teacher preparation and provides a forum for dissemination of innovative approaches and best practices in this field. The broad goals of PTEC include constructing bridges among physics departments, schools of education and school districts; engaging future teachers in inquiry-based science learning; and recognizing the continuum of efforts required to successfully train and support physics and physical science teachers.

PTEC developed out of the PhysTEC project, a joint effort of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the American Institute of Physics (AIP), and the American Physical Society (APS), with funding from the National Science Foundation, the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education, and private and corporate donations to the American Physical Society. Initiated in 2001, PhysTEC funds intensive work at eight institutions nationwide in the reform of science teacher preparation, with the funded sites serving as test beds that reveal successes and challenges over a wide range of institutions. While this work goes on, the project staff and faculty at these institutions are developing PTEC to create a network of physics departments that can come together, share ideas, and network to keep the reform process growing and developing well into the future.

Goals of PTEC

• Establish a network of institutions deeply engaged in the reform of teacher preparation
• Promote and disseminate innovative programs, methods, and ideas
• Engage physics and education faculty in collaborating in the enterprise

National Conference

An important part of this dissemination effort of PTEC is the National Conference, an annual event that brings together physicists, educators, and national leaders in teacher preparation for two days of workshops and activities that encourage the sharing of ideas and networking among the leaders in preservice reform. The 2008 National Conference will be held in Austin, Texas from February 29th to March 1st, 2008.

Program Support

PTEC is supported by the National Science Foundation.

Management Team

• Theodore Hodapp, PI/PD, Director of Education and Diversity (APS)
• Jack Hehn, Co-PI, Director, Education (AIP)
• Toufic Hakim, Co-PI, Executive Officer (AAPT)
• Warren Hein, Chief Academic Officer (AAPT)
• Monica Plisch, Assistant Director of Education (APS)
• Gabe Popkin, Project Manager (APS)
• Ed Lee, Managing Editor (APS)
• John Stewart, Editor (PTEC)
• Paul Hickman, Consultant (PTEC)

PTEC Contact

Dr. Theodore Hodapp
Director of Education and Diversity
American Physical Society
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 209-3263
(301) 209-0865 (fax)
hodapp@aps.org

More Information

• Information about the PTEC.org website.
• Information about joining PTEC.
• More information about the PhysTEC project.