Model: STEM teachers have identified unique professional development goals and tailor at least 50% of their STEM professional development activities to meet their individual needs – may include strategies for inquiry-based instruction, for integrating STEM, or information on cutting edge content
5.1 - Individualized PD
Professional development at Patriots is focused on the needs of our teachers. In order to assess their development in STEM content and instruction, each teacher meets with the STEM coach in September to complete a self-assessment and write SMART goals that are focused in STEM instruction. Our instructional coaches use teachers' goals to develop a PD Plan for the school year. Several of the PD sessions offer multiple topics to reach all teachers in their priority goal area. As coaches move teachers forward toward their goals, our PD plan changes to meet teachers' needs. PD is also available during grade level planning days, STEM planning days and teacher workdays. We also partner with Discovery Education Studios to provide two content specific STEM planning days for each grade level. These sessions focus on PBL structure, levels of PBL instruction, integration of all subjects, and using STEM tools in the classroom. Teachers provide coaches with feedback after each session via a Google form. They are also given opportunities to suggest future professional development or areas of need.
Beginning of the year STEM Self Assessments are completed and submitted to the STEM coach. Teachers use this assessment to develop SMART goals to guide their PD attendance and STEM learning for the school year.
PD offerings: First semester (2015-2016)
These sessions were developed by our STEM coach and instructional facilitator to meet the varying needs of our teachers. As you can see, some of the activities are after school, while others are on workdays or planning days. This document does not include the manditory PD for the district. These are all sessions our teachers attend to specifically improve in STEM instruction.
First grade teachers power up the solar system with a Sun, Moon, and Earth model complete with 3D printing, LED circuits, and power tools. Teachers experienced the struggle of a PBL at Discovery Education Studios.
"I really felt frustrated when the task was presented. I immediatly thought, I can't do that! Now I know how my kids feel during PBL and how to support them through that process.."
-Dawn Mizera (first grade teacher)
Fourth Grade teachers enjoying a STEM planning day in downtown Charlotte with our partners at Discovery Education Studios.
"We developed a Rube Goldberg machine that started with a match and ended with an LED light. This PBL was a really exciting way to talk about energy transfer! I can't wait to do this with my students."
-Vince Taylor (4th grade teacher)
"I was amazed at how easily the PBL integrated so many of our standards. As a reading teacher, I appreciate the importance of primary sources and their influence on PBL products."
-Katie Pasvankas (4th grade teacher)
