Learning Culture

Florence B. Mathis Elementary School has a strong partnership with our external stakeholders. We utilize a variety of strategies and platforms such as social media accounts on Facebook and our website to share and communicate our STEAM vision, mission, goals, outcomes, responsibilities, roles, events, and activities to internal and external partners. We also have a publicity team who travels to local business clubs presenting our STEAM programs to our partners.

To sustain our STEAM initiative, our teachers participate in a variety of professional development opportunities based on our school's needs. When our STEAM leadership team meets over the summer, we review data from our surveys, discuss our strengths and weaknesses, and plan for the upcoming school year. Our teachers choose their professional development options. When we attended Model Schools, they were able to choose their own sessions. Most teachers chose to attend different sessions that were catered to their grade level, subject area, or needs. After their sessions, teachers collaborated and exchanged ideas and materials. Another professional development opportunity teachers attended was The Ron Clark Academy. After attending The Ron Clark Academy, we decided as a school to embrace The Amazing Shake to give students opportunities to learn 21st Century Skills and The House System to give students a sense of belonging.

Another way our students access learning with our community partners is through field trips. Our students have a wide range of field trips they experience such as Daulphin Island Sea Lab, bowling, Eastern Shore Art Center, the USS Alabama Battleship, Pensacola NAS, the Mess Hall, Weeks Bay, the Nature Center at Gulf Shores, and more! Additionally, we have special guests come to speak to our students or present to them special talents they have.