3.1 Professional Learning: Content Knowledge

Excelling- Most teachers (> 50%) are increasing content knowledge through multiple means such as Professional Standards Commission (PSC) approved endorsements with an emphasis on math and science, gifted, STEM, English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), content collaboration with business/industry, postsecondary, and informal education partners, and teacher externships.

White Elementary School, as well as the Bartow County School System, is fully implementing the PLC process. John Hattie's research states that collective teacher efficacy has the highest effect size on student achievement. Every teacher at White Elementary is part of a collaborative team. Within these collaborative teams, teachers work together to increase content knowledge, provide the most effective instructional strategies, plan lessons, and work together to ensure that ALL students are learning at high levels. During the summer of 2021, White Elementary was awarded model PLC School Status from Solution Tree.

In addition to collaborating within the school environment, our teachers seek professional development opportunities outside the building. These opportunities also allow our teachers to redeliver their new insights and knowledge to our entire staff.

2025 - 2026

GA STEM Forum

Attendees: Chandler Morales and Tracey Stevens

2024 - 2025

GA STEM Forum, Athens

Cathy Bishop presented with Brenda Moss, NW RESA, Gaining Momentum Unifying K-5 with STEM PBL Driving Questions

Other Attendees: Emmalie Cole and Amanda Elrod

2023 -2024 Summer

UGA School Gardens Training - Jennifer Martin & Bridgette Ballard

NWGA RESA STEM Forum - Emmalie Cole, Jennifer Martin, Sherri Farmer, Jenna Gable

GaETC Conference - Cathy Bishop

Bartow Co UGA Extension Office School Gardens Training (held at White Elementary) - Jennifer Martin, Bridgette Ballard, Sherri Farmer, Tracey Stevens, Chandler Morales, Amanda Elrod

2024 NWGA RESA STEM Forum in Cartersville

Jennifer Martin and Jenna Gable, along with community partners Jessica Chandler (Bartow Co School Nutrition) and Kevin Rowell (K&T Farms in Rydal), presented on farm-to-school nutrition. They focused on their incorporation of the school-wide gardens into farm-to-table opportunities for their students, as well as beginning a composting initiative.