GaDOE Application
Professional Learning
Professional Learning: Content Knowledge
Both the School Improvement Plan and Professional Learning Plan of Colham Ferry Elementary School include a focus on increasing subject content knowledge in the areas of math and science. Over the years, it has been a priority that all math teachers have attended Cognitively Guided Instruction training and grade level representatives have attended Number Talks training. During the 19-20 school year, all math teachers were participated in Three Act Tasks professional learning and during the 21-22 school year, all math teachers participated in Do the Math training. CFES ensures that all Early Intervention Program (EIP) teachers have been trained in providing the GA Numeracy Project intervention. Additionally, attendees of the STEM Georgia Forum have focused on attending math breakout sessions.
One member from each grade level represents CFES on the district-level Math Action Team and Science Action Team. These collaborative groups meet throughout each school year to unpack standards, develop pacing, identify best teaching practices for the content areas, and write assessments for math and science. These content experts redeliver the work of the action teams at the school level.
In 2021-2022, all CFES teachers became gifted certified. Any teacher new to CFES will participate in a Gifted Endorsement Program to ensure our 100% gifted certification. CFES plans to continue a new focus of math professional development each school year. Teachers new to CFES will participate in Cognitively Guided Instruction and Do the Math training.
New teachers also participate in our Mentoring Program throughout their first school year. Pieces of our monthly focus include programs and practices. Mentors work with their mentees to offer support for all content areas.
Professional Learning: Instructional Practices
Colham Ferry Elementary School has always embraced collaboration with other schools and districts. Since initial Georgia STEM Certification in 2017, CFES has hosted STEM Tours twice a year to connect with educators from outside of our own district. During the tours, we showcase our classroom activities, organizational structure, and allow for the participants to interact with students and teachers, much like the Georgia STEM Certification process. The connections made have continued and become another professional learning community for our teachers at Colham Ferry!
Promotion of CFES STEM Tours on STEM GA Website
Promotion of CFES STEM Tours on GYSTC Newsletter
CFES STEM Tours Survey Results
Each school year, CFES sets a STEM related goal for the school and for our Professional Learning Plan. Recently, we have done book studies with GYSTC, journal training with NEGA RESA, and project-based learning trainings with NEGA RESA. Our teachers often create there own personal professional learning goal around STEM to help improve their content knowledge and instructional practices.
Teacher Collaboration
Kindergarten Examples
Science Action Team Meeting Notes
First Grade Example
Second Grade Examples
Third Grade Examples
Third Grade Team Meeting Minutes
Fourth Grade Examples
Fifth Grade Example
5th Grade Team Meeting Document
STEM Activity Example