NARRATIVE

Winfield City School System has educators and leaders that participate in an ongoing system of STEM-specific professional learning. One key aspect of sustainability is to develop both short-term and long-term goals as well as provide effective professional development. Beginning in 2016, horizontal and vertical meetings, which included all district teachers, took place in order to set goals that add specificity to the vision of the STEAM philosophy and increased the scope and influence of STEAM to all aspects of the curriculum. During the meetings, discussions included collaborating with local business and industry leaders to allow them the opportunity to speak directly with students, modeling sound instructional STEAM methodologies for teachers, horizontal and vertical meetings have been an annual event since 2016, and will continue to be.

Winfield City School System understands the importance of providing STEM-specific training to teachers and staff that are invested in technology, engineering, math, and science. Some of this training includes AMSTI, Coding, Computer Science, Schoology, 3D Printing, Drones, VEX-IQ Robotics, as well as partnerships with local businesses like 3M, Alabama Power, and Tombigbee Electric/Freedom Fiber.

Winfield City Schools teachers have traveled for professional development, given professional development, and participated in on-campus professional development over the last six years. For example, every teacher has been able to attend the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia for at least one day. Furthermore, we have brought guest presenters to the school in order to give professional development to teachers regarding their expertise. Don Thomas is an astronaut that has visited our town and school many times in order to present to teachers and students. Moreover, some of the most exciting professional development is when Winfield City School teachers have stepped up as STEAM presenters for our own teachers or teachers at other school systems.

Strengths: Winfield City School System's strength is its Engagement, Implementation, and Results. The teachers, staff, and administrators all work diligently to provide the best STEAM experience for our students. They put in the extra time and effort to learn new and exciting things for our students to enjoy. The staff has professional development throughout the year, as well as, attends summer professional development all over the state. Professional development is not questioned at Winfield City School System. It is an expectation of all teachers to continuously learn and grow in STEAM education. In order to track interests, results, etc. of the professional development provided, faculty completes interest surveys before professional development opportunities are brought to the school. Also, faculty

Opportunities to Improve: WCS opportunities to improve are found in Sustainability and Embeddedness. WCS collects data from teachers and students but using the data to demonstrate growth within the professional development needs to improve. Furthermore, STEM learning is ingrained within the culture of the institution, but sometimes faculty has a difficult time merging the professional development received with the Course of Study standards that need to be taught.