ST1.7

STEM educators collaborate as an interdisciplinary team to plan, implement, and improve integrated STEM learning experiences.

Self-Assessment: 3

Collaboration between STEM educators and the administrative team is an integral part of our program in order to ensure that we plan, implement, and improve our students’ STEM learning experiences. Curriculum Council is composed of instructional personnel leaders such as Department Chairs and the Administrative Team. Curriculum Council meets every two weeks to discuss and plan interdisciplinary curriculum as well as address any concerns. Departments collaborate on STEM activities and support each other in their classes.

Department meetings are held once a month by the Department Co-Chairs. During these meetings, personnel discuss curriculum, policies, and any pressing issues. Department meetings are great ways for teachers to share their experiences. Veteran teachers suggest tips for new teachers regarding curriculum, classroom management, technology integration, assignments, and STEM activities. Last but not least, professional learning communities (PLCs) or teacher-led PLC’s meet as often as possible to discuss student performance, review data, student work samples, and share best practices within their subject. PLCs such as Algebra I and Geometry meet at least once a week to develop curriculum, discuss instructional strategies, and plan STEM learning experiences for their students such as the Golden Ratio Project and Superhero Transformation.

Our STEM Team meets at least once a month to discuss upcoming STEM events, STEM lessons, competitions, and school-wide activities. The STEM Team works diligently with students and faculty to ensure that STEM activities are being held in the classroom and that students understand the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in their high school education and beyond into college and the workforce. Teachers are required to have a STEM binder where they highlight their STEM activities. Teachers share this information with other teachers and the administrative team so that our school is engaging in STEM learning experiences across all disciplines. We also use our STEM binders to learn about STEM activities being completed in the classroom so that we can showcase them on our social media sites and to our community partners.

ST1.7 SharePoint Collaboration Sites.png

In addition, faculty meetings are held once a month on the second week of the month. The Administrative team informs the faculty of school events, documentation, and any other important information. In every meeting, the Assistant Principal who leads the STEM Team provides an update to our faculty and asks for feedback on how to improve the programs as well as requests our teachers to share highlights on note-worthy STEM activities occurring in their classes.

SharePoint Team Collaboration Site