Thursday, May 26, 2016

Publications by the National Education Association


Britton Devier serves as a teacher and high school athletics coach in Phenix City, Alabama. Holding a doctor of education from Liberty University, Britton Devier is also a member of numerous professional organizations, such as the National Education Association (NEA).

The NEA is made up of more than 3 million education professionals, from preschool teachers to post-graduate students, across the United States. The association offers a number of publications that cover a range of topics relevant to past and present educators.

NEA Today magazine explores teaching challenges and offers expertise and solutions. Published four times a year, NEA Today examines the political and legal aspects of education, discusses necessary services such as special education, and shares current news stories. The publication offers different versions for future educators and retirees.

Higher Education Advocate, another NEA publication, is published five times a year. It supplies teachers in post-secondary institutions with resources and research specific to their work, exploring topics such as office hours, student debt, and campus life.

A third publication, Thought and Action, is a peer-reviewed journal with practical and theoretical news and information geared toward higher education. An issue published in the winter of 2015 explored diversity and social justice.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The Performance Pyramid of Athletic Mental Training


Britton Devier, a high school teacher of industrial technology in Alabama, holds a doctorate in educational leadership. Also a wrestling, track, and football coach, Britton Devier maintains an interest in mental training for athletes.

A branch of sports psychology, mental training is used by coaches, psychologists, and dedicated mental trainers to enhance physical performance through the improvement of mental faculties. The Ohio Center for Sport Psychology suggests a nine-skill Performance Pyramid, which demonstrates how to build on basic mental skills to ultimately drive performance.

The pyramid is divided into three levels: Basic Skills, Preparatory Skills, and Performance Skills. Each lower level is required to achieve the next.

Basic Skills incorporates attitude, motivation, goals and commitment, and people skills. These abilities are thought to enable athletes to achieve long-term goals, learn necessary physical abilities, and maintain the daily physical practice necessary for successful performance.

Preparatory Skills comprise self-talk and mental imagery. Self-talk helps athletes build and retain self-confidence and positivity, while mental imagery allows them to envision the successful performance they want to attain.

Performance Skills consist of concentration and handling anxiety and emotions. Athletes should be capable of accepting anxiety and strong emotions such as excitement and anger as natural parts of competition and use it to improve their performance.

Finally, athletes must limit their focus to the essential aspects of the sport and avoid distraction. They should concentrate on what is happening in the present moment, rather than what has or may happen.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

International Technology and Engineering Educators Association



The director of credit recovery and advancement at Smiths Station High School, Britton Devier has also served as a technology teacher and an industrial technology teacher. A dedicated educator and administrator, Britton Devier maintains membership in multiple professional organizations, including the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA).

Founded in 1939 to promote the principles of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the classroom and the professional world, ITEEA represents over 35,000 teachers nationwide and sponsors numerous awards and honors for educators and programs at every grade level. Additionally, the ITEEA helps students and teachers become more technologically literate and engaged with continuing advancements in the field. Key to ITEEA’s success is its integrative STEM education center and learning system, comprised of resources for assessment, curriculum and professional development, and industry research.

Overseen by ITEEA, the Foundation for Technology and Engineering Educators has awarded grants and scholarships since 1986. Perhaps its most prestigious award is the Program Excellence Award, granted to notable work in the field of technology and engineering at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in every state. Winners receive free ITEEA membership and discounted conference fees, as well as national recognition for their work.