STEM K12 6: Educators and leaders participate in an ongoing system of STEM-specific professional learning.

Impact Narrative:

Kelly Mill staff have engaged in STEM-specific learning through several avenues. Many teachers have Math and Science Endorsements or carry additional math and science certifications. We currently employ thirty-seven math and twenty-six science teachers who fall under these categories. The year-long endorsements give teachers a deeper understanding of the mathematical, science, & engineering practices and how to engage students in STEM learning. Additionally, as a whole school, we attended STEM certification Professional Development with Dr. Tameka Osabutey-Aguedje (Forsyth County's P-12 Science Specialist) in 2017. Teachers learned about the tools needed to implement a STEM-focused classroom. This professional development led to increased STEM knowledge and practices used within our classrooms, as evidenced by data collected on the use of the 4Cs during walkthroughs and documentation of STEM lesson planning.

Along with this professional development, teachers visited STEM and/or STEAM-certified schools such as Mason Elementary and Coleman Middle school in 2017-18. Each visit was outlined by guiding questions and action plans for staff who returned to Kelly Mill and trained and implemented their professional learning. Teachers learned about project design overview planning, project-based learning (PBL) showcases, creating driving questions, and the methods for implementing a robotics pathway.

To continue our professional development, teachers increase their knowledge of the Math and Science Standards by deconstructing standards with Dr. Lack and Mrs. Delallo (our district K-5 math and science specialists). Each grade level meets with Dr. Lack and Mrs. Delallo to dive deeper into the priority standards and increase the use of the Five E Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate).

Our instructional technology specialist (ITS) was one of the attendees during the STEM school visits and has used his learning with current research and technology to create an interactive STEM learning space (our Creativity Playground). From this, we plan to increase teacher and class sign-ups to create job-embedded STEM PD through exploring technology, math, and engineering while aligning to the standards-based curriculum. Our ITS has added professional development flyers in teacher workspaces and seeks teacher partnerships to expand staff's STEM toolbox. Another future goal for Kelly Mill is to bring STEM notebooks to all lab settings to create a fluid bridge between the domains. We plan to train teachers to facilitate students' documentation and self-reflection within this multi-disciplinary framework to embed the 5E model.

Initiatives/Actions/Artifacts:

• Instructional Rounds

• Virtual Walkthrough Guide

• Learning Capacity Self Assessment

• Formative Observation Example Notes

• TKES Rubric

• Teacher Math/Science Endorsement program  

• Visits to Mason Elementary and Coleman Middle school

• STEM certification PD with Dr. Tameka Osabutey-Aguedje

• Creativity Playground

• Creativity Playground Website

• Survey from county after deconstructing standards planning session