February 13, 2020
College of Education shares innovative teaching strategies with Chapman teachers
Four College of Education faculty members traveled to Chapman in late January to provide professional learning sessions for the district's middle and high school teachers.
Sessions for Chapman's middle and high school teachers we led by James Alberto, instructor of curriculum and instruction-science; Brad Burenheide, associate professor of curriculum and instruction-social studies; Angie Messer, instructor of curriculum and instruction; and Suzanne Porath, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction-English.
Mary Wright, Chapman Middle School principal, coordinated the sessions, which addressed various teaching strategies, engaging activities and modeling interactive learning pedagogy. The educators evaluated language used in math questioning and analyzed assessments using the depth of knowledge level rubrics. Social studies teachers focused on historical inquiry, the art of making history come to life, while English teachers worked with #BookSnaps and science teachers created a video using #FlipGrid.
Wright said the middle school teachers appreciated the opportunity to collaborate.
"The teachers enjoyed having time to implement new strategies and the help they received from K-State faculty as they created new lessons and materials for their classrooms," Wright said. "They also really appreciated working with high school math teachers because it allowed them to discuss different methods and learn new methods to better prepare the kids for high school."
Kevin Suther, Chapman High School principal, said the Chapman High School staff was excited, rejuvenated and filled with new ideas after going through training with the K-State faculty.
"It was a chance to have direct, content-specific information for all of our core teachers to learn about strategies, collaborate on future projects and bring in new approaches to education," Suther said. "I want to truly thank them for taking the time to help our staff grow."