Self-Assessment Rating: 4

Pinecrest Academy is truly committed to professional development and continued education. The opportunity to share and learn best practices is what keeps our content rigorous and cutting edge. First and foremost, grade levels are given common prep times to allow for constant collaboration and lesson refinement to improve student outcomes. Additionally, the Pinecrest system of schools holds monthly PD sessions known as “Data Days." These "Data Days" allow our system to provide training that aligns with our current strategic STEM improvement plans. Pinecrest funds every faculty member to go to the annual Staff Development for Educators (SDE) conference to enjoy sessions tailored to their individual areas of professional growth. Pinecrest also sends selected staff and administration to the following collaboration and development opportunities: biannual trips to Florida to visit the founding Pinecrest schools and model charters, annual conferences to International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), the National Charter School Conference (NCSC), and the NSTA STEM Forum and Expo. In addition to national conferences, local conferences, such at CSAN, are attended by system teachers and leaders. Furthermore, Title II funding has provided the opportunity for all our elementary teachers and select secondary teachers to be given formal Project Lead the Way training and certification. Teachers and administrators also attended the Project Lead the Way Summit for the purpose of expanding STEM knowledge and growth. Teachers and administrators will continue to attend all state meetings for the growth of STEM.

Pinecrest Academy of Nevada - Cadence Campus was invited to the 2018/2019 Nevada STEM Leadership Academy where representatives of both elementary and secondary participated in professional development and planning sessions provided by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT). The goal of the Leadership Cohort was to prepare our STEM leaders to increase equity and broaden participation in STEM amongst underrepresented groups. Additionally, the OSIT trainings were designed to help schools develop strategic plans to increase students' interest, achievement, and awareness of STEM and STEM careers. Over the course of a year, STEM Leaders worked collaboratively with members of the Governor's Office to generate logic models, SMART Goals, intended outcomes, and action steps for improving STEM education at PAC.

Over the past year Pinecrest teachers have been working on becoming PLTW Professionally Certified Teachers. Pinecrest administration has sought grant funding in order for teachers to have release time or similar opportunities.

100% of Elementary Teachers are PLTW Certified

100% of Middle School Teachers, who instruct a PLTW class, are Certified

• Increase the variety of STEM professional development opportunities provided to our staff
• Branch STEM professional development into all content areas