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STANDARD 3
STANDARD 3
Professional staff members and leaders participate in an ongoing system on STEM-specific learning.
ACS Teachers attend the 2025 Mississippi Educational Computing Association's annual conference to explore the latest in digital learning
Our mission statement of building character, fostering community, and life-long learning not only applies to our students, but is also an important mission for our teachers and administrators. The ACS staff regularly engages in collaboration, conferences, and workshops to learn about different techniques, tools, and strategies to improve outcomes and engagement in the classroom. In our rapidly changing world, it is important that our teachers and staff continually adapt to the changing needs of our students and adopt improved practices to better serve our school community.
Weekly Collaboration
Teachers meet formally on a weekly basis to address a variety of subjects according to the needs of the school. An annual professional development plan is coordinated by the academic planning committee and includes a STREAM-focused topic at least once a quarter. STREAM topics have included math reasoning (from MSMS Education Outreach), technology in the classroom, and scientific observation (from the MSU Science Education Office). Teachers also regularly collaborate with each other and with special class teachers informally to provide special events such as STREAM days or to expand or improve STREAM lessons in the classroom.
Conferences and Workshops
Teachers and administrators' participation in conferences and workshops are opportunities to gain expertise and knowledge from a wide variety of STEM experts. This has included training hosted by NASA Education, Mississippi Robotics, MSU Bagley College of Engineering, MSU College of Agriculture, FIRST Robotics, the Mississippi School for Science and Mathematics, and the University of Mississippi. Teachers also attend the Mississippi Educational Computing Association and the National Catholic Educational Association annual conferences and share their experiences with their fellow ACS teachers.
Our STREAM Coordinator attending a 2-day STEM workshop hosted by NASA Education, Nissan, and Mississippi Robotics
ACS teachers are both attendees and presenters at NECA conferences
"A Day of Da Vinci" -- using the art of Da Vinci to inspire lessons in STEM is one of the professional development training sessions attended and used in an art lesson
FIRST Coaches attending training at the Infinity Science Center were given a tour of the Stennis Space Center
Teachers reflect on the season of Advent through the painting of Advent wreaths
Religious Education and Retreats
Spiritual health, building moral fortitude, and fostering community amongst our staff is essential to the success of our school and students. Before the beginning of every school year, our staff reflects, connects, and prays together as a school family as part of a staff retreat. Spiritual journeys are continued throughout the year with Catholic Identity professional development as well as a full day of religious education training with the Diocese of Jackson every September. The Diocese also offers an online course in religious education for teachers.
Virtual Education and Training
Teachers have access to a wealth of information via numerous STEM web sites, on-line educational programs, and STEM webinars. Examples of these resources include continuing education at MSU, webinars and on-line training with Cognia, code.org, Carly and Adam, IXL, and NASA Education.
Recognizing the challenges faced by novice educators, ACS offers a new teacher training program that provides a supportive and empowering environment, fostering their transition into the teaching profession while enhancing their instructional skills and overall effectiveness in the classroom. Teachers will be given opportunities to share their strengths, weaknesses, and curiosity through Google Forms. These surveys will be given before, during, and after PD sessions. From these surveys, professional development training will be adjusted as needed to ensure each teacher’s target goals are met.
Teachers will be provided with the tools and tutorials needed to understand the ins and outs of Annunciation Catholic School and basic routines and procedures that teachers and staff use throughout the school year. It even includes some fun STREAM challenges and how to integrate technology into the classroom.
Teachers will also be provided with 15-hour and a half long sessions throughout the school year that specifically focuses on needs of the individual teachers as they arise and builds on the information provided from the Google Forms. They will be provided with follow-ups and check-ins from week to week with their assigned mentors.
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