The
Gallia-Vinton Educational Service Center provides professional development
opportunities for regional school districts. Two of the opportunities during
the 2017-2018 school year focused on supporting teachers’ understanding of the
Ohio Mathematics Standards and enhancing teachers’ instructional skills.
Teachers, administrators,
and other educators attended professional development at the Gallia-Vinton ESC
to receive updates on Ohio’s State Testing changes and to explore resources to
support the 2017 Transition to the New Math Standards. Annika Moore, ODE Math
Consultant, was the presenter. Participants received instruction relative to
analyzing the standards, instructional planning, using available resources like
the Model Curriculum and Learning Progressions, and, utilizing Depth of
Knowledge strategies to improve student outcomes. The attendees were pleased
with the knowledge imparted and intend to use the information to enhance their
mathematics’ programming.
Jerry
Moreno, Assistant Professor Emeritus of Statistics, John Carroll University, conducted
an inservice on the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics
Education (GAISE) model. Mr. Moreno demonstrated for the teachers the GAISE
framework showing them how to clarify a problem that can be answered with data,
having students collect data, representing the data with a graphic model or
pictorially, and interpreting the results by summarizing and describing the
distributions. The hands-on method of solving problems is engaging for students
and serves to increase their statistical literacy.
Robin
Phillips, ESC administrative associate and Region 16 SST member, organized the
trainings for the educators. The ESC is currently planning follow-up sessions
for the mathematics professional development to support the regional districts’
commitment to continuous improvement toward greater academic outcomes for
students.
On a
side-note, Robin recognized two award winners that were present during GAISE
training: Jerry Moreno was chosen by the Ohio Council of Teachers of
Mathematics to receive the Lifetime
Achievement Award, and Jeff Strawser
(Jackson City Schools’ teacher) was selected as the Outstanding Secondary Teacher in the Southeast District. The ESC
offers its congratulations to both gentlemen for the prestigious awards!