STEM educators collaborate to develop, implement, and improve high quality STEM learning activities
Narrative
Our teachers collaborate in a continuous cycle to improve our STEAM focus and students' experiences. Our master schedule is specially designed for our teachers to have daily common planning with their team to strengthen internal partnerships for STEAM learning experiences. Additionally, our teachers collaborate monthly in content-focused Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). During their PLC days, they have focused time for STEAM planning. Teachers also collaborate in monthly grade level meetings and they participate in whole-faculty Kagan Cooperative Learning and Leader in Me training.
Standard 2, Concept 1: STEM educators and leaders have formal, protected time scheduled on a regular and frequent basis to plan, revise, and improve STEM learning experiences and pedagogical best practices.
Collaboration
PST: Our problem-solving teams involve our instructional coach, counselor, administrator, and teachers who meet once a month to discuss and review student data.
Using student data, teachers collaborate monthly at grade level to identify areas of improvement. Teachers work together to plan or modify lessons to create meaningful learning experiences related to STEM.
Our master schedule for both Foley Intermediate and Florence B. Mathis is designed to provide daily team planning for teachers.
Standard 2, Concept 2: Collaborative time for STEM staff and leadership is structured using a research-based model for effective educator collaboration
Professional Learning Communities
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) is a research-based model by William DuFour for teachers to collaborate in a structured environment and engage in high quality professional development focused on pedagogy and student learning.
The Leader in Me
2020 Begins with Leader in Me
We wanted our school to connect to other schools in our feeder pattern and schools across our county. We adopted Leader in Me to give us a platform to create a positive climate and culture in our school and support our STEAM programs.