We’re celebrating our 10-year anniversary at the Arizona K-12 Center this year. Just the fact that we’re still here, providing quality professional development for teachers, is something to feel good about. Too often, we launch new efforts in education, but don’t stay committed long enough to realize real results. And as we all know, you don’t change schools and student performance overnight. Fortunately, the state has allowed us time to grow and establish programs that empower teachers to enhance their practices and be at their best for their students. And we are grateful for this.

I personally joined the Center five years ago. What started as an exciting new opportunity now feels more like a calling. The privilege to collaborate with colleagues in order to create resources teachers really need is one I don’t take lightly. It’s been a thrill to see teachers grow professionally and connect with other educators who share their passion. It’s been especially satisfying to watch teachers become empowered and take on the leadership roles so critical to our schools. Continue reading "Staying Power: Ten years and counting."

One of the most exciting aspects of our work at the Center is seeing the difference a single teacher can make. In all the talk of what’s wrong with education and what’s right with education, one thing I know for sure is that a passionate, focused teacher is our most precious asset and the best chance a K-12 student has of excelling in school.

One teacher can change the course of a student’s entire academic outlook. One teacher can transform a classroom from a dreary, dull place into a bright space of discovery and learning. But it doesn’t stop there. One teacher can spark an entire staff of teachers to step up and pursue their appetite for excellence, which was the reason they got into the profession in the first place.

Continue reading "The Power of One"

We’re always excited to learn about new professional development opportunities for teachers, so this year’s series of trainings at the Biosphere are of special interest. The Center is teaming up with the University of Arizona, the Arizona Science Foundation and the STEM Center to offer this teacher training in science and math content areas.

These trainings are unique. Conducted within the Biosphere, a remarkable scientific facility known around the world, teachers will have the chance to work side by side with scientists conducting real research. They will then be able to draw from this research to replicate similar experiments in their classrooms with their students. What a wonderful way for teachers to strengthen their science and math curriculum.
Continue reading "Supporting Science Learning at the Biosphere"