Claim: Through collaboration with teachers across the district and in higher education, I have contributed to the growth of STEM ideas and plans to implement them in local school districts.
Support: Flyer and ticket for Dovetail/Stem conference.
Support: Flyer and ticket for Dovetail/Stem conference.
At the beginning of June, I had the privilege to attend a seven day conference concerning STEM that was hosted at Talawanda Middle School in collaboration with Miami University professors and other teachers in the area (see Product 1 and 2). The professors and teachers came together in an effort to develop more STEM opportunities for our students. There were sufficient times offered for extended learning opportunities, as well as, collaboration among teachers/professors across curriculum and across grade levels. I was able to collaborate with teachers and professors that I would not normally have the opportunity to talk with. We explored new ideas together, brainstormed, and problem-solved for tasks that were presented to us to complete. I was able to share some of my own experiences and ideas and listen to others, as well. As suggested by Dufour & Eaker (1998), "People who engage in collaborative team learning are able to learn from one another, thus creating momentum to fuel continued improvement" (p. 27). The week and two days were exhausting, however, the rewards were endless. The most beneficial part for me was collaborating with other teachers in my grade level; sharing what works and what doesn't in the classroom, and collaborating with teachers from higher grade levels helped to gain a sense of where my students are headed.
Product 1 Product 2
Product 1 Product 2
References
DuFour, R., & Eaker, R. (1998). Professional learning communities at work; Best practices for enhancing student achievement. Bloomington: Solution Tree.
DuFour, R., & Eaker, R. (1998). Professional learning communities at work; Best practices for enhancing student achievement. Bloomington: Solution Tree.