Patterns & Predictions
One of the best summer professional development opportunities I ever had centered around patterns, predictions and ratios. I found myself in Hell Creek Montana excavating a Triceratops but before we could "dig" we had to figure out where. We knew that a centimeter of dirt represented a million years and the approximate timeframe that the dinosaurs lived. It was a puzzle; but we had the right tools. We measured the strata, we examined the patterns and we dug deeply. The classroom puzzle can feel similar; but, there is comfort in the patterns and we know you have the right tools. We are so thankful for everything you do in your classrooms and are excited to start of this adventure with you. Please let us know how we can best support you!
-Meg and Stephen
KSDE Teacher Leaders
Recently organizational changes have occurred within the Career Standards and Assessment Services (CSAS) at the Kansas Department of Education (KSDE). Multiple disciplines are being reorganized into Humanities and STEM. The disciplines, standards, assessments, and support of great classroom instruction will continue. KSDE will continue to do what the agency has always done -- elevate great teacher leaders. We are looking for individuals, Teacher Leaders, who are interested in joining this work.
Definition of Teacher Leader:
A teacher leader has demonstrated expertise with strategies, methods, and trends in education in Humanities and/or STEM. The teacher leader is collaborative, knowledgeable, and evidence-based. Additional skill in dynamic presentation is a plus.
Link to interest form: (Link)
Introducing KSDE STEM Program Managers
Stephen King
Hi! My name is Stephen King; I start every introduction off with an assurance that I didn't write the horror novels. I'm excited to be supporting STEM throughout Kansas. My background is in CTE (tech), computer science, a little math, and some science, mostly to high school and adult students. My undergrad is in physics and electronics, my masters is in telecommunications management, and my doctorate is in education, my greatest passion. I look forward to working with all of you!
E-mail: sking@ksde.org
Meg Richard
Hello! My name is Meg Richard and I excited to be supporting mathematics for the Kansas Department of Education. I am the proud mom of a 4 year-old (Edison), wife of a teacher, and STEM program manger. My background lies in equitable sense-making in middle school science. I am Nationally Board Certified in EA science and was the 2019 Kansas recipient of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. I look forward to working with you. Please let me know if I can help you in any way. E-mail: mrichard@ksde.org
Upcoming Professional Development
Collaboration Meetings
(Theme: Family Engagement)
(Theme: Family Engagement)
Math Curriculum Leaders Collaboration
August 24th , 3pm (Registration Link)Math Teacher Collaboration,
August 24th at 4pm (Registration Link)
Additional Opportunities- Offered through TASN
8/18/2021
Teaching Vocabulary from the Perspective of a Math Teacher - Meaningful Integration into Instruction (Link)
9/15/2021
Building Fluency and Number Sense Together Techniques, Access, and Sustainability for All Students (Link)
10/13/2021
Techniques to Increase Access to Solving Word Problems (Link)
11/3/2021
Five Favorite Strategies for Making (Link)
Please reach out to us for additional opportunities or to add opportunities to future newsletters.
Math Cuts
Math cuts are a free and quick professional development video series from the University of Texas at Austin, Charles A. Dana Center. Learn more here (Link).
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)- K-6 Cycle
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program is pleased to announce that nominations and applications for the 2021–2022 application cycle are open. You are a part of over 5,100 award-winning educators and we need your help to continue to grow this network!
To nominate a K–6th grade teacher for this award, complete the nomination form available on the PAEMST website and submit the teacher’s name, email address, and school contact information. You are welcome to submit multiple nominations if you know more than one teacher deserving of this award. The nomination deadline is January 7, 2022, and the application deadline is February 6, 2022. PAEMST awardees are one of the best sources of future nominations