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Gallia-Vinton ESC Plays Host to Mathematics Professional Development
 

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!