"AMSTI WCCS-ASU Buzz"
October 2021
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Teachers
by Kevin William Huff
Teachers
Paint their minds
and guide their thoughts
Share their achievements
and advise their faults
Inspire a Love
of knowledge and truth
As you light the path
Which leads our youth
For our future brightens
with each lesson you teach
Each smile you lengthen
Each goal you help reach
For the dawn of each poet
each philosopher and king
Begins with a Teacher
And the wisdom they bring.
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Name: Brandi Jones
Grade Level: 11th and 12th
Subject: Physics, Environmental Science
School: G. W. Carver Senior High
Years of Experience: 21
Why do you teach? I love learning about how things in our world work. I teach so that I can help others learn, too.
AMSTI’s Impact on Your Teaching: I have used ASIM/AMSTI for 20 years. This program allows me to bring hands-on experiences to the classroom that I could never do on my own. It has caused me to re-evaluate how I approach teaching. AMSTI helped me learn to integrate effective inquiry learning strategies into my daily classroom routine.
Motto: “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and tended to with diligence.”
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Name: Kayla Hale
Grade Level: 4th grade
Subject: Math
School: Wilson Elementary
Years of Teaching Experience: 5 years
Why do you teach? There is one distinct year that I remember thinking, “I wanna be a teacher.” Of course, when I was little I always wanted to play school, and yes that impacted my decision but what ultimately impacted my decision to go into education is the impact my 4th-grade teacher had on me. Growing up, I was always a shy and quiet kid. I made decent grades but had to work hard for them. I always felt like I struggled in school and did not find learning fun but more of a challenge. However, Ms. Hill, my 4th-grade teacher, changed that. She showed me that learning can be fun and educational. She showed us that she cared about us as individuals and as students. She has made a lasting impact on me and my hope is I get to do that for my students also!
AMSTI’s Impact on Your Teaching: AMSTI has had an impact
on my teaching in multiple ways. It has allowed me to find different ways to help reach my students where they are at. It has shown me different ways to help students grow in their knowledge of Math. I love AMSTI because of its engaging and hands-on activities.
Every time I have attended an AMSTI event I have left a better teacher!
Motto: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish
by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” -Albert Einstein
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Name: Lindsay Sampson
Grade Level: 7th and 8th
Subject: Life Science/Physical Science
School: Bellingrath Middle School
Years of Experience: 5
Why do you teach? I teach because I feel as if it is something I was meant to do. Growing up, I never considered teaching as a career. However, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Engaging with students day to day and learning what makes them tick, what motivates them, and what inspires them is truly rewarding. Teaching allows me to make a long lasting impact on the next generation. Plus, I get to teach my favorite subject: science! It brings me great joy to help foster my students' love for science.
AMSTI’s Impact on Your Teaching: AMSTI has opened my eyes to so many wonderful possibilities. With the help of AMSTI, I’ve been able to see the growth in my teaching methods and in my students' progress. I am truly in awe of the amount of resources and training opportunities that they provide for teachers. Also, it has given me a chance to collaborate with other teachers. Being able to listen to, learn from, and work with experienced educators has been absolutely amazing.
Motto: “With faith, determination, and hard-work, anything is possible”
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Name: Cheryl Kish
Grade Level: 1st grade
Subject: Self-contained, all subjects
School: Clark Elementary School, Selma, Alabama
Years of Teaching Experience: 30 years! I’ve been AMSTI trained for 15 years.
Why do you teach?
To prove that one person can make a difference – I can’t teach every child in the world—but I can make a difference for the ones that I do teach. I can help students build self-esteem and believe in themselves and their ability to learn, no matter their background or abilities. A teacher can help guide a child down the right path in life—one that will lead to the greatest successes.
I can encourage children to dream – Dreams lead to big ideas—which can lead to innovations and changes for the future. A teacher can inspire kids to think beyond their present circumstances and challenge them to reach their fullest potential.
I want to ignite the spark of learning –I want to spark their interest and help them understand that they are smart and capable of learning, no matter their ability.
I live with a deep sense of purpose – As a teacher, I believe I have a reason for doing what I’m doing. It helps bring value and meaning to my life.
AMSTI’s Impact on Your Teaching: Every minute of the school day is precious and AMSTI makes it so easy to teach Science. The standards are covered by engaging activities. All lessons are planned, and all materials are provided. Training provided by AMSTI is fun and prepared me to teach the standards with confidence to my students.
Motto: Think Big, Dream Big! .... Science: Just do it!
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Me: "Hey, Teacher, where did you learn about those area models?"
Teacher: " I learned it years back during an AMSTI training."
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Southside High School students are showcasing what they know using strategies shared with their teacher during PLCs and trainings. |
Students in 4th grade build electric circuits during their study of Energy & Waves. Nice job, Ft. Deposit! |
Algebra 1 students at Southside High displaying their knowledge of probability. |
Ft. Deposit's students are learning about waves. |
Students create waves by blowing through a straw while comparing the amplitude, frequency, and wavelength. |
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Nothing makes us more proud than to see our teachers utilizing AMSTI resources and incorporating strategies learned during trainings to enhance the learning within their classes. The excitement on the students' faces and the clarity of their understanding is all worth the while. |
Students at Chisholm Elementary School in Montgomery enjoy building habitats for their animals during their study of Wild Organisms. |
Southside High School teacher providing feedback to students during a gallery walk, |
S.P. Kingston's students are gearing up to learn about properties of rocks in their Soils & Shores kit. |
11th graders at Billingsley reveal what the owls digested as they dissect owl pellets. |
Taking Science Outside is what Mrs. Sellers did with her 3rd graders at Brantley as they studied their Weather & Climate unit. |
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SDE Joins Specialists in the Field |
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SDE joined in on some of the training action facilitated by AMSTI WCCS-ASU. Christy Dark (K-2 State Specialist) and Brittany Fureigh (3-5 State Specialist) assisted Jocelyn Tubbs-Turner with AMSTI's updated preservice EiE training.
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Shane Hawes (6-8 State Specialist) joined Aaron Casby out in the field during on-site support visitations. Middle school students at Bellingrath enjoyed their hands-on learning experience.
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LEAN SIX SIGMA COMES TO AMSTI WCCS-ASU |
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Representatives from Alabama Technology Network (ATN) graciously accepted the invitation to visit AMSTI WCCS-ASU and provide training to the staff. ATN provides extensive workforce training, technical assistance, & engineering services to incumbent workers across the state in areas of Continuous Improvement, Environmental Health & Safety, Food Safety, Industrial Maintenance & Technology, and Leadership & Management Development. Staff endured a fun-filled day of training on Lean. Lean can simply be stated as maximizing customer value while continuously identifying and eliminating company waste. The Alabama Technology Network (ATN) provides solutions to companies in their pursuit of continual improvement. ATN’s classes teach the method and application of the tools with real world examples and hands-on simulations to effectively educate employees. ATN also facilitates actual “events” to involve and teach implementation of the lean principles and tools in the company.
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Bertha Allen
Director AMSTI WCCS-ASU
Thanks to the teachers who have been attending science and math trainings in the region! Please continue to register and attend the various trainings we are offering. Administrators, please note that PLU #19 Leading Coaching in Mathematics Education will begin in November and there are 4 components. The dates will be sent out by the end of October via email for various dates to complete the components of the PLU.
Thanks to the AMSTI WCCS-ASU staff for working in a spirit of excellence as we continue to heal during this period. Please continue to reflect on the lessons we learned from the geese. "Know the way, go the way, and show the way. We can go 71% further as a team than working alone." Thanks to each of you for all that you do to keep us moving forward.
Please let us know if training is needed in your district. We are here to serve you! #WE'REMOVINGONUP!
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Upcoming Trainings and Grant Opportunities |
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Science Professional Development
AMSTI Science Preservice Training: Foundational Training and an EIE module training is what you will get by attending this training which prepares college interns for the science classroom. Face-to-Face format November 2 & 9, 2021 @ Faulkner University from 8am-3:30pm and December 3 & 10, 2021 @ AUM from 8am-3:30pm
SFT: Participants enjoy a full day learning about AMSTI, science notebooking, the ALCOS: Science, proficiency scales, and more. This training is designed as a prerequisite for module training. November 19,2021 @ Payne Elementary from 8am-3:30pm
2nd Grade: November 4-5 "Soils & Shores"
https://alsde.truenorthlogic.com/ia/empari/learning2/registration/presentRegistrationDetails/412927
6th Grade: Weather and Climate kit - Participants in these sessions will explore lessons specifically geared towards 6th grade standards. After completion, participants will receive certification and are eligible to receive the units.
Math Professional Development
AMSTI 9-12 Year 1 PLC: Explore the development of assessments that are connected to your clear learning goals. Participants will also further explore the formative assessment . A great opportunity to collaborate. (must be a participant of Year 1 Foundation to participate) Virtual November 5, 2021 8a - 11a
AMSTI 6-8 Year 1 PLC: Explore the development of assessments that are connected to your clear learning goals. Participants will also further explore the formative assessment . A great opportunity to collaborate. (must be a participant of Year 1 Foundation to participate) Virtual November 10, 2021 8a - 11a
AMSTI 9-12 Year 2 PLC: Explore the development of assessments that are connected to your clear learning goals. A great opportunity to collaborate. (must be a participant of Year 2 Foundation to participate) Virtual November 19, 2021 8a - 11a
AMSTI 6-12 Lead Teacher PLC: Participants will focus on strategies to effectively move their math department forward. Virtual November 8, 2021 1:30p - 3p
Click below to access the staff's contact information.
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AMSTI PORTAL
Teachers and Administrators, we still need your help! Most of you have gained access to AIMS (AMSTI’s data management system) which allows you to view and edit your AMSTI information in real time. You can view information regarding your kit rotation schedules, delivery and return dates, kit status, and more. If your assignment has changed for the upcoming year, please make the appropriate changes to the portal.
For those of you who have absolutely no idea about the AIMS Portal, please search your email for an invitation from (Special, WCC<materials.wccsasu@amsti.org). You might want to check your Clutter, Junk Email, or Spam if it was not delivered to your inbox. If you are affiliated with AMSTI (past or present) and cannot access or find this email, please contact AMSTI WCCS-ASU at (334) 407-7330 and a link will be sent to you.
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AMSTI Spotlight Resource of the Month |
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"NASA STEM Engagement"
NASA's missions, programs and projects are ensuring the United States will remain the world's leader in space exploration and scientific discovery for years to come, while making critical advances in aerospace, technology development and aeronautics. This site has STEM offerings for K-12+.
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Be safe, mask up, and keep your distance.
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Special thanks go out to all the participants from various schools and districts who have participated in our trainings. We appreciate your attentiveness, dedication, participation, and willingness to learn more about your craft for the sake of our children. We also want to thank those in advance who plan on attending upcoming trainings. We appreciate you for allowing us to come into your classrooms and provide services for you. Thanks for the partnerships! You all are the BEST!
#amsti4all
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Follow AMSTI WCCS-ASU
on Social Media
#Region8MovingOnUp
#AMSTIWCCS
#AMSTI4ALL
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