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posted by:
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Bob Box
on November 11, 1998
at 8:02AM
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subject:
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What our teacher leaders do
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Here are some more details about what we do with teacher leaders, and what
they do in our program.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS - TEACHER LEADERSHIP:
As a component of creating learning communities, the MSI utilizes
leadership teams to provide expertise at each school site. Leaders in the
areas of science, mathematics and technology
are fostered by the MSI. The members of the various leadership teams
become advocates and resources for other teachers at the individual school
sites in
providing leadership in professional development in their specific areas
of
expertise.
Elementary Science Synergy
The Elementary Science Synergy Team involves a group of district
leaders who are master teachers in professional
critical skills as well as outstanding hands-on, minds-on facilitators of
science. They have extensive training in several skills that include:
equity, study group theory, integration, brain
compatible learning, systemic thinking, team building, adult learning
theory, inquiry learning, the Concerns Based
Adoption Model (CBAM) along with studying the National Science Standards
and the Benchmarks for Science
Literacy.
They are responsible for introducing and supporting teachers new to
teaching in the MPS science curriculum as well as providing different
school sites with workshops in the following areas: team building,
assessment,
inquiry, systemic change, integration, and communicating science
content.
Elementary Math Mentors
The Math Mentors are full time elementary teachers. They serve as a
Site based representative to support the Basic
Skills Resource Teachers in the area of mathematics. These individuals
have
a thorough knowledge of district math curriculum and work with, and are
respected as a valuable resource by fellow teachers. The Mentors have
had extensive training in NCTM Standards based instruction, communicating
content, CBAM, and utilizing technology and manipulatives to further
enhance mathematical understanding and encourage discourse.
The mentors are responsible for all communication for the site leadership
team. They disburse MSI information and communicate class offerings in
math and provide updates on district Math Resource Lab materials. They
attend monthly inservices to enhance leadership skills and develop new
techniques and strategies for math instruction. They act as mentor
teachers for teachers new to teaching and for others in the area of
mathematics instruction.
Junior High Math Synergy Team
There is a math synergy team member from each junior high site. Junior
high math synergy leaders participate in training in current research,
instructional strategies and practices,and NCTM Standards. They act as a
support to
the math department chairs and an additional resource to the math
department. They attend professional conferences and workshops for the
purpose of sharing new knowledge
with other team members as well as providing professional development at
their sites.
Elementary Technology Liaisons
The technology liaisons are full time elementary teachers. There are
two technology liaisons from each school site that support the school in
utilizing technology effectively in the classroom. The technology liaisons
attend an informational meeting every month with the Instructional
Technology Department and the MSI. They also attend professional development
sessions five times throughout the school year. These meetings are
coordinated by the MSI with assistance from the Instructional Technology
Department. During the professional development sessions, teachers receive
training in utilizing technology in the math and science classroom and also
on topics
such as assessment, software evaluation, leadership, and NCTM/NSTA
Standards. The technology liaisons then return to their respective school
sites and conductworkshops/inservices for their teachers. They also serve on
their school leadership team in developing the site plan for their school
each calendar year.
Junior High Technology Synergy Team
There is a technology synergy team member from each junior high site.
Junior high technology synergy leaders
participate in training in the change process, models of professional
development, and specific math/science
software and instructional strategies that utilize technology. They
support
teachers at their individual school sites in the effective use of
technology in the mathematics and science classroom. The junior high
technology synergy
team members have developed four workshops available to teachers
throughout
the district. These include: Math Mania (software in mathematics),
Spreadsheets in Math and Science, The Use of Vernier Probes in the Science
Classroom, Utilizing the Internet in the Math and Science Classroom. Each
junior high technology team member is a critical member of the leadership
team that develops the school's site plan for each calendar year.
Elementary Science Liaison
The Science Liaisons are made up of two representatives from each
school.
Their job is to be information conduits between the Science Resource
Center and their individual sites. They participate in monthly meetings; one
of them
from each site goes to an informational meeting, and the other goes to a
training meeting.
Junior High Science Synergy Team
The Junior High Science Synergy Team consists of 12 members, one from
Each JHS. They are individually trained in a number of areas, and
facilitate training for other science teachers in the district. They also
act as a
source of information for other science teachers in their department about
upcoming training or educational opportunities. They were chosen for their
abilities to enhance the instructional strategies of their colleagues, as
well as their willingness to participate in district-sponsored workshops,
seminars and projects, and share that information with their colleagues.
For more information, please visit our website at
www.mesa.k12.az.us/~msi
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