Our Mission
The Telescope Network creates opportunities for BPS educators to collaborate across the district. We improve learning experiences for all our students when we connect with peers, share our authentic challenges, and learn from each other.
To do this work:
We ASK educators across the district what they want and need to learn next in order to best serve the needs of their students;
We MAGNIFY effective practices by creating opportunities for effective and reflective educators to share their expertise with their peers; and
We CONNECT educators to resources, professional learning opportunities, and each other based on their needs and interests.
What's Happening Now
9/29
Focus on K0-2 Planning Cohort Starts 9/29: This Planning Cohort will address the question, "“How do we implement the Focus curriculum in a way to facilitate discourse and activate knowledge through complex text?" A Planning Cohort is a space for educators to collaboratively plan with the support of a teacher expert. During the Planning Cohort you will have time to unpack the Focus curriculum to develop a thoughtful unit plan, pool resources with other teachers in a similar context, and receive feedback from peers and coaches. Earn 1 ALC for work you are already doing!
10/2
SLIFE Planning Cohort (Grades 3-12)
SLIFE Planning Cohort (grades 3-12) Starts 10/2 : This Planning Cohort will address the question, "“How do we plan SLIFE curriculum in an efficient and effective way to meet the needs of our students?" A Planning Cohort is a space for educators to collaboratively plan with the support of a teacher expert. During the Planning Cohort you will have time to collaborate with colleagues to develop a thoughtful unit plan, pool resources with other SLIFE teachers, and receive feedback from peers and coaches. In Person Unit Launch 10/2. Follow up sessions will take place on Zoom: 10/10, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13. Upon completion of the work, earn 1 ALC and 12 PD hours for work you are already doing!
10/16
Secondary ESL Planning Cohort (Grades 6 - 12)
Secondary ESL Planning Cohort (grades 6-12) Starts 10/16 : This Planning Cohort will address the question, "How do we thoughtfully implement ESL curriculum to provide all students access to rich language tasks and learning experiences?" A Planning Cohort is a space for educators to collaboratively plan with the support of a teacher expert. During the Planning Cohort you will have time to collaborate with colleagues to develop a thoughtful unit plan, pool resources with other ESL teachers, and receive feedback from peers and coaches. In Person Unit Launch 10/16. Follow up sessions will take place on Zoom: 10/23, 11/6, 11/13, 11/27, 12/4, 12/11. Upon completion of the work, earn 1 ALC and 12 PD hours for work you are already doing!
10/17
StudySync Planning Cohort (Grades 9-12)
StudySync Planning Cohort (Grades 9-12) Starts 10/17 : This Planning Cohort will address the question, "“How do we plan StudySync curriculum in an efficient and effective way to meet the needs of our students?" A Planning Cohort is a space for educators to collaboratively plan with the support of a teacher expert. During the Planning Cohort you will have time to collaborate with colleagues to develop a thoughtful unit plan, pool resources with other SLIFE teachers, and receive feedback from peers and coaches. In Person Unit Launch 9/19. Follow up sessions will take place on Zoom: 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, and 11/28 . Upon completion of the work, earn 1 ALC and 12 PD hours for work you are already doing!
10/25
StudySync Planning Cohort (Grades 6-8)
StudySync Planning Cohort (Grades 6-8) Starts 10/25 : This Planning Cohort will address the question, "“How do we plan StudySync curriculum in an efficient and effective way to meet the needs of our students?" A Planning Cohort is a space for educators to collaboratively plan with the support of a teacher expert. During the Planning Cohort you will have time to collaborate with colleagues to develop a thoughtful unit plan, pool resources with other SLIFE teachers, and receive feedback from peers and coaches. Upon completion of the work, earn 1 ALC and 12 PD hours for work you are already doing!
Ongoing
Peer Observations
One of the best ways to improve your practice is to observe someone else doing similar work. During a peer observation, you can observe a recommended BPS colleague. After the observation, you’ll have time to debrief and set goals to bring back to your own classroom. Feel free to use our resources/templates to observe & debrief with a BPS colleague or complete the RSVP form if you want help finding a connection or facilitating your visit.