ST1.9 STEM teachers and leaders participate in a continuous program of STEM-specific professional learning.
Response:
The STEM Academy teachers and all McNair teachers participate in continuous professional development that will provide sustainability for our STEM program. Professional development opportunities are provided by the DeKalb County School District, Local school, and business partners. Professional learning provides rigor, relevance, and real world meaningful connections to our STEM curriculum.
Narrative:
We believe professional learning is one of the core foundations to the continued success of our STEM Academy program. Our goal at McNair Academy is to ensure all instruction provided to our students is rigorous and of the highest caliber. To ensure all teachers met these goals, the instructional team completed a focus walk of the classrooms and evaluated instructional practices. After this review, a plan was devised to support teachers by providing them with the training needed to move toward STEM implementation. We had to start with basic foundations to ensure cohesion and buy in from teacher and administrators. Strategic adjustments were made based on the needs and application of strategies by the teachers. At the end of each year, a needs assessment is given to STEM teachers to provide a roadmap of professional learning for the upcoming school year. The Professional learning plan is developed utilizing the information provided by the teachers, instructional observations, and feedback from business partners.
Strengths:
At McNair Academy, professional learning is critical to the growth of our teachers and students. McNair Academy teachers are required to stretch themselves in new and creative ways in the field of education. We have tremendous business partners who provide us with real world and unique learning opportunities. This year we expanded our curriculum with the installation of an Aquaponics Lab. Two of our STEM teachers traveled almost two hours to experience a 3 day overnight certified Aquaponics STEM camp. During the three day camp, teachers were exposed to an advanced science curriculum, pitched tents, fished, canoed, and used power tools to build aquaponics filters. At the training, teachers learned to build all parts and components of an aquaponics system. The importance of water regulation and the type of plants for each system were also presented in collaborative work sessions.
Weaknesses:
At McNair Academy we have a very diverse team of educators. Teacher diversity challenges us to provide professional learning opportunities that all teachers are confident will benefit students best. We will continue to broaden our portfolio road map of unique learning opportunities and present them in an order that all STEM Academy teachers feel will be the most meaningful and rewarding.
Evidence:
Professional Development Timeline
Calendar
2015_calendar_for_stem.docx | |
File Size: | 29 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Professional Learning PowerPoints
rmdla_bulletin_board_presentation.ppt | |
File Size: | 9057 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
rmdla.anchor_charts.pptx | |
File Size: | 2198 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
backwards_design_model.pdf | |
File Size: | 135 kb |
File Type: |
stem_presentation_9.10.14.pdf | |
File Size: | 1600 kb |
File Type: |
stem_presentation_11.10.14.pdf | |
File Size: | 1538 kb |
File Type: |
what_is_an_engineer.pdf | |
File Size: | 1020 kb |
File Type: |
Professional Learning Sign-in Sheet
stem_training_interactive_notebook_sign_in_sheet.pdf | |
File Size: | 2360 kb |
File Type: |
Integration Meetings
Integration Meeting.pptx | |
File Size: | 821 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
stem_integration_meeting_sign_in_sheet.pdf | |
File Size: | 1087 kb |
File Type: |
Conference Participants and Presenters
Georgia STEM Conference
Peachtree City, GA
March 2 - 3, 2015
Mrs. Kaija Spencer, Participant
Peachtree City, GA
March 2 - 3, 2015
Mrs. Kaija Spencer, Participant
West Georgia RESA Technology Conference
Columbus, GA
September 16 - 18, 2015
Ms. Andrea Carter, Presenter
"Engaging Visual Literacy Using Technology and the 5E Learning Model"
Mrs. Kaija Spencer, Presenter
"Work Smarter, Not Harder!"
Columbus, GA
September 16 - 18, 2015
Ms. Andrea Carter, Presenter
"Engaging Visual Literacy Using Technology and the 5E Learning Model"
Mrs. Kaija Spencer, Presenter
"Work Smarter, Not Harder!"
2015_it_conference_program--final_9.9.15.pdf | |
File Size: | 2588 kb |
File Type: |
work_smarter_not_harder.pptx | |
File Size: | 2944 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Georgia STEM Conference
Athens, GA
October 26 - 27, 2015
Dr. Brian Bolden, Participant
Ms. Andrea Carter, Participant
Mrs. Kaija Spencer, Participant
Athens, GA
October 26 - 27, 2015
Dr. Brian Bolden, Participant
Ms. Andrea Carter, Participant
Mrs. Kaija Spencer, Participant
National Youth At Risk Conference
Savannah, GA
March 6 - 9, 2016
Mrs. Kaija Spencer, Presenter
"STEM Education: closing the Gap One Student at a Time"
Savannah, GA
March 6 - 9, 2016
Mrs. Kaija Spencer, Presenter
"STEM Education: closing the Gap One Student at a Time"
description_of_presentation.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
savannah_presentation_2016.pdf | |
File Size: | 2100 kb |
File Type: |