Paine Teacher Finalist for Prestigious Award

Jana Walls, fourth grade math teacher and upcoming TCS math coach, has been selected as one of the five elementary school mathematics recipients of the 2016 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).  The 2016 PAEMST awardee will be selected from the state finalists by a national selection committee at a later date.  The national award carries a cash prize of $10,000!

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 mathematics and science (including computer science) teaching. Established by Congress in 1983, the PAEMST program authorizes the President to bestow up to 108 awards each year.

Awards are given to mathematics and science (including computer science) teachers from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands).

The award recognizes those teachers who develop and implement a high-quality instructional program that is informed by content knowledge and enhances student learning. Since the program's inception, more than 4,400 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science (including computer science) education. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Mrs. Walls graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2008. She received a Master of Arts in Education and an Education Specialist Degree, studying under Dr. Constance Kamii, professor of early childhood education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Mrs. Walls has served as an exemplary fourth grade teacher in Trussville for the past six years.  She will transition to TCS District Math Coach for the 16-17 school year.  Mrs. Walls has been accepted to Auburn University this fall to begin work on her Ph.D.

Mrs. Walls Models Number Talks for Kindergarten Teachers during Summer Professional Learning

Reviewing the TCS Code of Conduct

TCS administrators spent the afternoon carefully reviewing and revising the TCS Code of Conduct.  Hal Riddle and Mandi Logan led the group in clarifying offenses and procedures.  Dale Posey led a thorough discussion of bus infractions and procedures.  Kathy Burgin rolled out a new proactive plan for reducing truancy of students.  

Fifth Grade Teachers Collaborate and Plan for Science

Fifth grade science teachers, Ryan Hook, Carrie Almon, Blaire Perry, Jessica Bresnan, and Rashel Darnell, joined forces today at the ALC to collaborate on science lessons for the 16-17 school year.

EdCamp Leadership Alabama

Educational leaders from all over Alabama met together today for EdCamp Leadership at Homewood High School. Trussville City Schools were well represented with leaders from all five of our schools.  Since the original Edcamp in 2010 there have been over 700 conferences around the world in 25 countries. Each Edcamp is independently organized and hosted and is free to participants, bringing together passionate educators for a day of learning and growth. The conferences are participant-driven with the sessions developed and facilitated by the teachers and administrators who are attending.

By adopting the un-conference protocol, Edcamps provide access to high quality, personalized professional learning for all educators. Embracing the belief that fellow educators can be some of the most valuable professional development resources for their colleagues, the Edcamp movement has been recognized by countless organizations, including the United States Department of Education, the Bammy Awards for Education, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the TEDx program, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

TCS Summer Elementary Mathematics Professional Learning

Math coaches Lisa Lothspeich, Donna Brumlow, and Jana Walls are in the process of providing professional learning this summer for elementary math teachers.  Teachers have been discussing the NCTM Mathematical Teaching Practices, the Standards for Mathematical Practice, purposeful questioning, tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving, meaningful mathematical discourse, strategies that support productive struggle, number talks, sample schedules for math, investigative tasks, and formative assessments.  

District Leadership Team Meets

Members of the district leadership team met June 30 at the TCS Central Office for the purpose of reflecting on the 15-16 school year and to gain clarity regarding goals for the 16-17 school year.  In attendance were: Beth Bruno, Jennifer Cardwell, April Chamberlain, Mandi Logan, Phyllis Faust, Diane Byars, Stephanie Hawthorne, Autumm Jeter, Tygar Evans, Lisa Berry, Anjell Edwards, Niki Lincoln, Tim Salem, Corey Hall, Jennifer Abney, Joy Young, and Barry Allphin.

The group reflected on the attainment of 15-16 goals and revised the goals on our 16-17 TCS Continuous Improvement Plan.  Each school shared the process they will use to create their school Continuous Improvement Plans.  A discussion was held regarding a district literacy team and plans for a book study of Reading Reconsidered.

The overarching goal is improved student achievement by implementing the 9 strategies on the 16-17 TCS Continuous Improvement Plan:

1. Develop and implement an effective, challenging, and engaging curriculum which promotes the highest level of academic excellence and personal growth for each student.

2. Meet students’ learning needs through regular, consistent differentiated and individualized instruction.

3. Develop and maintain a comprehensive assessment plan that includes locally developed and standardized assessments about student learning.  

4. Implement a comprehensive counseling and guidance program in all schools to effectively transition and prepare students to be college and career ready.

5. Provide learning environments that are physically safe and emotionally secure for all students, faculty, and staff.  

6. Effectively integrate the use of technology into instructional and support programs.    
 
7. Communicate effectively and efficiently with parents, students, community, and school personnel.

8. Recruit, hire, mentor, and continuously support the learning of the most effective personnel.

9. Design, implement, and support an exemplary professional development program for all staff.

GreatKids: Is there a TV in your child's room?

The average person will watch nine years of TV. Nine. Years.

And it starts early. The average American youth spends roughly 900 hours in school each year — and about 1,200 hours a year watching TV. (To do the math: 1,200 hours is 150 school days.)

Not cringing yet? In one study, kids ages 4 to 6 were asked whether they’d like to spend time with their dad or watch TV — 54 percent of them picked pixels over pops.

The stats, compiled by Statistic Brain and culled from a Neilsen survey are an unsettling reminder of the monumental space TV takes up in our children’s lives.

To read the entire article, click here.

Quotable Quote

People would stand in line for days and pay hundreds of dollars if there were a pill that could do everything for a child that reading aloud does.  It expands their interest in books, vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and attention span.  Simply put, it's a free "oral vaccine" for literacy.

Jim Trelease
Author, The Read-Aoud Handbook