First there was the garden and wildlife initiative. Then our first STEM teacher, Joannah Shoushtarian, arrived. Project Based Learning was the focus of staff development and then an entire cohort formed around the idea of being a school where students learn through discovery as engaged and directed learners. The cohort benefitted from CCSD's new STEM Innovation Academy. Last year's participants include:
Mandy Dixon, 1st Grade
Ashley Bellamy, 2nd grade
Jennifer Ford, 3rd grade
Ronnell Mathews, 4th grade
Lily Parkinson, 4th grade
​Chelsea Whitesell, 5th grade
Janeen Lewis, STEM K-1 Campus
Joannah Shoushtarian, STEM Lab 2-5
This year we are receiving additional on-sight direction from CCSD's Science Supervisor, Dr. Thomas Brown. After hosting STEM events at our school, more classroom teachers are benefitting from the opportunity to tour other schools in our district and benefit from their experiences.
A group of teachers recently toured Tritt Elementary as they received their STEM Certification and the following teachers will be able to spend an entire day at Ford Elementary to see their extensive program in action:
Katie Messinger, kindergarten
Abby Cheaves, 1st grade
Nina Delk, 2nd grade
Jessica Barber, 3rd grade
Melissa Gottschalk, 4th grade
Shay Grice, 5th grade
So, much like the snowball that picks up speed and mass as it rolls down the hill, more teachers are wanting the opportunity to hone their skills and incorporate STEM integrated learning opportunities for their students. These teachers have been submitted for the STEM Innovation Academy this year:
MaryBeth Trulove, kindergarten
Sarah Heller, 1st grade
Danielle Martin, 2nd grade
Emily Atkins, 3rd grade
Heather Hodge, 4th grade
Patricia Calvin-Thomas, 5th grade
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