Teachers As Students!

Teachers As Students!

Not many people realize that while students are on summer holidays, teachers come back to school early and participate in professional development – put another way, the teachers are students too!

On August 11 and 12, SMS teachers took part in a workshop presented by Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowoski, a nationally recognized science education consultant and teacher trainer. Our topic was “STEM”, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. STEM methodology also can incorporate the Arts, which then makes the acronym “STEAM”!

What does it involve? STEM integrates 21st century skills: creativity & innovation, critical thinking & problem-solving, communication and collaboration in fun and accessible ways for students. The work is inquiry based, hands-on and minds-on, and is connected to our school’s Common Core State Standards. In our workshops, elementary teachers used simple structural materials to create buildings, while the secondary teachers explored the design and creation of a prosthetic hand.

Parents and students can look for STEM projects coming throughout the school year!