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Professional Learning at Gowan Science Academy
Professional Learning at Gowan Science Academy
Professional Learning is an integral part of the culture at Gowan Science Academy. We truly believe, "As good as we are, we can always get better!" All teachers on campus are highly certified through the Arizona Department of Education.
Creating our Mission
Creating our Mission
The leadership team from the APS STEM Focus School Grant, led staff through a STEM Professional Learning workshop in July 2017. During this workshop, all Gowan teachers worked on writing the mission of Gowan Science Academy. See the GoogleSlides to the right for more details on this process.
Professional Learning Walks
Professional Learning Walks
Teachers constantly ask for models of great teaching and feedback on their own teaching. One of the best things about learning walks is teachers learning from each other! Each quarter we set up our learning walks during the teachers' weekly planning time. Grade level teachers have common planning time so they participate in the walks with their grade level partner, professional learning coach, and principal. We spend about 40 minutes going through classrooms and debriefing the learning that we see. About 5 minutes is spent in each classroom we observe.
Each learning walk has a focus that is closely tied to our school goals. Focuses have included:
- classroom routines
- technology integration
- STEM integration
- student engagement
- reading standard alignment
- student accountability during tasks
Learning walks have had a significant impact on our school culture. Teachers have become risk takers and share new strategies/techniques. We are proud to share our learning with leaders in our district. We have had district office personnel including assistant superintendent, federal programs director, and our technology coordinator join our walks. We are excited to expand our learning walks in the future to other campuses in our district so we can learn from teachers off our own campus. We have documented our learning on iTunes U, and are excited to share a number of courses showcasing the incredible things happening in each classroom.
Innovator's Mindset Book Study
Innovator's Mindset Book Study
In 2018, teachers at Gowan Science Academy participated in a book study using the book, The Innovator's Mindset, by George Couros. Teachers collaborated via Google Groups and FlipGrid.
Disruptive Thinking Book Study
Disruptive Thinking Book Study
In 2017, teachers at Gowan Science Academy participated in a book study using the book, Disruptive Thinking by Kylene Bears and Robert E. Probst. Teachers used Google Groups to reflect and discuss each chapter.
EduGator Guides
EduGator Guides
Teachers were partnered with another teacher on campus to do monthly observations in each other's rooms. Teachers discussed feedback in person as well as emailed feedback. This helped build our culture of learning and professional growth on campus!
Crane Joyful Learning Conferences
Crane Joyful Learning Conferences
Twice a year, Crane School District hosts Joyful Learning Conferences. These conferences create learning and leadership opportunities for our teachers. Gowan Science Academy had several teacher presenters. Presenters included:
- Jessica Casey, 6th Grade - Using FlipGrid in the classroom, using and planning with Google Hyperdocs
- Jamie Haines, Principal - Using Keynote to create classroom Bingo, Getting started with coding in the classroom
- Jenny Kaste, 5th Grade - Podcasting
- Alissa Guevara, Prof. Devel. Coach - Using Twitter Effectively
- Holly Mecher, 5th Grade - Using iBook and App Smashing
- Abby Fulton, 6th Grade - Using Google Slides in the Classroom
- Tamara Van Sickle, 4th Grade - Using Podcasts in the Classroom
Pre-Service Teacher STEM Boot Camp
Pre-Service Teacher STEM Boot Camp
At our pre-service training in 2017, teachers participate in a STEM challenge project, titled, "Save our Bees." Teachers made observations about bees, read about bees and designed bee boxes to attract native bees around campus as well as around their homes. This project allowed teachers to understand how a problem based learning project could be implemented in their own classrooms.
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