"AMSTI WCCS-ASU Buzz"
May 2021
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AMSTI WCCS-ASU | 334-407-7330 | 33 Fairview Road, Selma, Alabama 36701 | www.amsti.org/wccs-asu |
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Summer vacation is starting today…
The teachers are shouting “Hip, hip, hooray!”
The principal grins from ear to ear,
And runs down the hall shouting “Summer is here!”
The buses come early – they’re usually late.
The teachers say, Hurry up! Pack up! Don’t wait!
The school bell is ringing. There’s no time to chat.
The whole school is emptied in one second flat.
Everyone’s happy. Their spirits are flying.
Except for the parents…they’re sulking and crying!
– Author Unknown
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HELP!!!! THE AMSTI PORTAL AWAITS |
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Teachers, 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, and kit status. So, 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 WCCS-ASU K-5 and 6-8 Science Specialists met with several teachers across Region 8. Districts represented were Lowndes, Dallas, Perry, Selma City, Montgomery, Pike Road, and Wilcox County. Participants were engaged in discussions and activities pertaining to formative assessment probes, progressions, and proficiency scales. This PLC centered around the research of Page Keeley and Robert Marzano. Yet again, the teachers were delighted with the 3 hours of Professional Development where they learned from each other through enriching discussions. Teachers shared their experiences utilizing the probes over the last month and joined breakout groups to create their own probes. This K-8 PLC had a tremendous level of high discourse, learning, and teacher input!
"I really enjoyed the K-8 PLC. Probes are something I would definitely use in my classroom. The presentation was well-organized and the presenters were very knowledgeable about the content. ~Kris Hood, 4th Grade Teacher, RC Hatch
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Teacher in Residence (T.I.R.): The Experience |
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"My experience as a TIR has been wonderful. I've experienced the best of both worlds. I got to work with both teachers and students. The staff, as well as the students, made me feel so welcome. In spite of the pandemic, I was able to build some great working relationships. I expect an even better experience next year." ~Tiffany Ruffin
"I have had an amazing experience as a TIR during the 2020-2021 school year despite all the challenges the pandemic created. I loved working with the teachers and students from Highland Avenue and Brewbaker Intermediate. I feel as though the teachers, as well as myself, have learned so much from each other. This experience has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. I look forward to an even better experience next year." ~Dana Davis
"It was a pleasure serving as a TIR Mathematics Coach for this academic school year. I enjoyed my role despite the challenges that we faced nationwide. It gave me an opportunity to work not only with teachers but students as well. This experience allowed me to grow as an educator and increased my mathematical content knowledge. I look forward to another amazing academic school year!" ~Tamecia Smith
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Meet Porsha Oliver
Name: Porsha Oliver
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: Geometry w/ Data Analysis and Algebra II with Statistics
School: Southside High School
Years of Experience: 7 years
Why do you teach? I teach because I was taught and because I want to make an impact on the lives of others the way my life had been impacted. Honestly, I didn’t know I had a gift of teaching until I had teachers that unlocked that gift within me. The teacher influence that I had empowered me to tap into that potential of wanting to help others learn and grow. I love to learn and that’s what I get to do daily with my students.
AMSTI’s Impact on Your Teaching: With the help of AMSTI, I’ve been able to see a growth in my teaching practices and content knowledge tremendously. The amount of resources and training that they have provided to me is what has shaped me as a teacher today. AMSTI will always be my recommendation for a First Year teacher as well as a vet. The Math Specialists that they send out show that they not only care about what I’m doing in the classroom, but how I am fostering the students learning.
Motto: Teaching is learning and learning is forever.
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Meet Scott Lawrence
Name: Scott Lawrence
Grade Level: 9
Subject: Honors Biology
School: Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School
Years of Experience: 26
Why do you teach? Looking back at the teachers I had along the way, the most important lesson I learned from them was “yes, you can.” I love to remove the word “not” from a student's academic vocabulary. I cannot succeed turns into I can succeed. I am not talented in science turns into I am talented in science. By taking away this one simple word, it empowers my students to go on to success in many fields and possess a love for science.
AMSTI’s Impact on Your Teaching: There are three main areas AMSTI provides that help me regularly. The first is Professional Development. It is a great opportunity to be included not only in content updates, but also the pedagogical processes as they bring with them, from the process of Inquiry, to the 5E’s and any future methods.
Next, is the chance for peer networking, where others using the same training have a chance to share their “Best Practices” and what they have found to make the most difference. Coming together for regular updates and using the materials as a student helps me, the teacher, use them better.
Finally, the material support for the lessons is incomparable. Having a single high quality library of hands-on labs that students can use is awesome. I do not have to worry about the quality of the lessons as they are designed to be effective and easily managed from the start.
Motto: “Tell me what you CAN do.”
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Meet Michele Reese-Holley
Name: Michele Reese-Holley
Grade Level: 3rd Grade
Subject: Math
School: Fort Deposit Elementary
Years of Experience: 10+
Why do you teach? I teach because I enjoy being a part of new learning experiences with children, especially in Mathematics. When students grasp a concept and apply the concept, it changes their whole world. Then, the students realize that Math will continue to be a part of their daily lives. So, practicing Math facts and identifying academic vocabulary to solve for the substance of a problem becomes automatic. This event leads to further exploration and the adoption of mathematical strategies that work best for them. I am a product of a Title 1 school, which is where my heart lies because someone else took a chance on me. I would love to give back to my community in this same way.
AMSTI’s Impact on Your Teaching: AMSTI has impacted my teaching by creating viable strategies that have closed the achievement gaps. Students now see Math as a fun, hands-on subject that impacts every aspect of their lives. My students have become very aware that Mathematics is more than following steps but rather a scope of events that requires logical thinking, reasoning, evaluation, and choosing the best strategy to solve problems and to further explain all operations. Also, AMSTI has set me up to be a successful Math Teacher through Professional Learning Communities, Professional Development, and the use of Performance Scales to drive my instruction for remediation and acceleration.
Motto: All students can learn and obtaining an education will change their world. Each student learns differently. So, it's very important to meet the students where they are and then adapt the lessons based on student need. Therefore, there is no room for excuses, just solutions.
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The Countdown for Summer Institute |
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The countdown has begun for our annual summer training and we, at AMSTI WCCS-ASU, are ready to SEE our wonderful teachers in a face-to-face setting! We are ecstatic about SUMMER INSTITUTE 2021 which will be held on the lovely campus of Wallace Community College in Selma, Alabama! There will be so many wonderful activities taking place during the weeks of June 14-17 and June 21-24. Trainers are already gearing up to provide hands-on experiences, investigations, engaging inquiries, strategies, skills, and more to the teachers. These trainings will be from 8am -3:30pm daily. Administrators are also invited to attend a special PLU training and conduct session visits on June 16th and June 23rd from 8:30am - 3:30pm.
If you have already received an invitation for training, please sign up. If you heard about the trainings that are being offered and want to know more about what we can do for you, please contact us. We enjoy serving the teachers within our region, and remember that we are only a phone call or email away!
(334) 407 - 7330
(Covid-19 precautions such as temperature checks, masks, Covid questionnaires, social distancing, and plexiglass will be enforced and adhered to for everyone's safety.)
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Bertha Allen
Director AMSTI WCCS-ASU
I would like to thank all districts, superintendents, administrators, and teachers for your hard work and dedication to students in Region 8. You dealt with COVID- 19 outbreaks; you dealt with virtual learning and the various platforms; you dealt with little to no participation from students; you dealt with little to no response from parents; and you dealt with try this and try that from SDE but you did not quit! Thanks for showing perseverance and resilience amid a great pandemic! So rest, relax, enjoy vacations, make memories with family, release, and revitalize because we need you and you are important.
Please join us for Summer Institute during the weeks of June 14-17 and June 21-24, 2021. I am asking all administrators to join me for PLU-Administrator Training on Math Coaches on June 16th and June 23rd from 8:30am-3:30pm. We are looking forward to an awesome learning experience that will impact the lives of the students in Region 8. If you have any questions about the training, please contact the office at 407-7330.
I would like to thank the AMSTI WCCS-ASU staff who has worked hard and diligently! Each of you are awesome, amazing, and skilled, so continue to work in a spirit of excellence! #WE'REMOVINGONUP!
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Upcoming Trainings and Grant Opportunities |
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Science Professional Development
AMSTI Foundational Units: The Foundational Units (Science Notebooking, Setting the Stage, and Getting to Know the Alabama Course of Study) serve as prerequisites for any science module training in K-12. Virtual format from May 2021 - July 2021
DLCS: Participants in this session will explore ways to incorporate Digital Literacy in their classes. Virtual format July 7, 2021 from 9am - 12 noon
Chemistry: Summer Chemistry Training - Teachers have the opportunity to register for the 3 day summer Chemistry training through either Auburn or Troy Science in Motion sites or can wait for the new Chemistry Specialist to be in place. Auburn Chemistry Training will be June 14-16. Teachers can contact Driddle@auburn.edu to register. The Troy Chemistry Training will be June 8-9, and June 17. Teachers can contact mwdunn@troy.edu to register.
Biology: ASIM Biology Summer Training
Google Form Link for those who would like to attend
Agenda Link
Math Professional Development
SUMMER INSTITUTE 2021: Participants will gain valuable training and resources to use with their students in math and science classes. June 14-17 and June 21-24
K-5 Math Link
6-12 Math Link
K-8 Science Link
Number Sense Training: This training will provide participants with foundational skills needed to be great Mathematicians. Virtual format
May 5, May 6, May 12, & May 13| 9:00am - 12:00pm
June 7 - June 10 | 9:00am - 12:00pm
June 4, June 11, June 18, & June 25 | 9:00am - 12:00pm
July 12 - 15 | 9:00am - 12:00pm
Numbers Algebraic Thinking Training: This training will assist participants in connecting algebra to arithmetic through use of mathematical representations, conceptual understanding, and strategies to implement cognitively complex tasks. Virtual Format
May 18 and May 25 | 8:30am - 3:00pm
July 12 and July 13 | 8:30am - 3:00pm
K- 5 Course of Study Overview: This session will provide an in-depth dive into the Mathematics Course of Study with. Virtual Format
May 19 | 9:00am - 12:00pm
June 2 | 9:00am - 12:00pm
June 30 | 9:00am - 12:00pm
6-12 Course of Study Overview: This session will provide an overview of the 2019 Mathematics Standards, as well as guidance needed to successfully implement the standards. Virtual Format
June 7 | 8:30am - 3:00pm
June 28 and June 29| 9:00am - 12:00pm
Numbers Measurement and Geometry: This session will provide participants with opportunities to engage in practices and activities necessary for students to understand dimensions and units, visualize mathematics, and use those skills to solve real world problems. Virtual Format
July 20 and July 21 | 8:30am - 9:00pm
Numbers Fractions and Decimals: This session will provide a conceptual understanding of fractions and decimals, before diving into operations involving fractions and decimals. Virtual Format
July 27 and July 28 | 8:30am - 9:00pm
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AMSTI Spotlight Resource of the Month |
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Alabama Public Television and PBS are known for bringing educational content to televisions in Alabama for many years, but they also provide a wealth of resources that can be used at home, as well as in the classroom. Stop by their website to see some amazing activities that you can utilize.
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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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#Region8MovingOnUp
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