Support for New Teachers
Brenau University
Faculty collaborate with Hall County schools to support and trouble-shoot problems for new classroom teachers. Faculty gather data and insights from their observations of new teachers as a basis for volunteer Web-based seminars for first-year teachers. Service provides an induction mechanism and an ongoing relationship between university faculty and their graduates.
Dr. Bill Ware
770-534-6220
Culture for Service
Clark Atlanta University
Faculty work with J.F. Kennedy Middle School administrators and teachers and Oglethorpe Elementary School of Atlanta.
Research teams explore student achievement issues, with the findings used to improve both classroom teaching and instruction in teacher preparation programs at Clark Atlanta. Project at Kennedy Middle School involves developing a comprehensive community school program to improve parental involvement, offer school-linked health and social services through collaborations with community agencies, and develop curriculum based on service learning.
Claudette Williams
404-880-8495
Field-Based Leadership Development Project
Clark Atlanta University
Partnership with Atlanta Public Schools and Cobb County programs of study at the Ed.S and Ed.D. levels where selected school district employees are permitted to participate.
Field-based programs target concerns and issues. Helps the school district develop a pool of trained candidates in leadership positions and assists in developing solutions to instructional and administrative problems.
Claudette Williams
404-880-8495
High Definition Planning for School Development
Clark Atlanta University
Partnership with Scott Elementary School (Atlanta Public Schools) and Toney Elementary School (DeKalb County Schools).
Provides workshops in planning for instruction, teaching strategies, student assessment, student profile development, and development of appropriate instructional climate. Faculty attend classes to assist teachers in identifying and dealing with issues in the classroom that block learning.
Ganga Persaud
404-880-6016
InGEAR: Integrating Gender Equity and Reform
Clark Atlanta University
In cooperation with the American Association of University Women of Georgia, the Georgia Initiative in Math and Science, and Georgia Southern University, the program implements the redesign of teacher preparation programs, including instruction in science, engineering, and math, so teachers entering K-12 classrooms can address issues that discourage girls from participating in scientific and technological fields.
Provides professional development opportunities for college faculty and in-service teachers
Denise Mewborn
706-542-4548
Forensic Science for Middle School Teachers
Clayton State University
Middle school science teachers learn to make science come alive for their students in this summer program in which participants use the methods of forensic science to “solve” a crime scenario.
Dr. Greg Hampikian
770-960-2162
Carlos Museum
Emory University
After-school workshops for teachers offered on a regular basis by museum staff and curators to enrich the training of teachers at all levels of art and art history, often tied to current exhibits.
Julie Green
404-727-6118
Center for Urban Learning/Teaching and Urban Research in Education and Schools (CULTURES)
Emory University
Professional development center assists metro Atlanta elementary and middle school teachers working with culturally diverse students, families, and communities to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in urban schools.
Jackie Irvine
404-727-0605
Georgia Internship for Teachers (GIFT)
Emory University
Program hosts teachers for summer research experiences and assists them in adapting their projects to improve classroom teaching.
Teachers gain hands-on experience in academic, business, and industrial environments during the summer.
Patricia Marsteller
404-727-9696
History, Technology, and Society Seminars
Georgia Institute of Technology
Historians and sociologists provide seminars to K-12 instructors and students on a wide range of themes, including incorporating the history of science and technology into the curriculum.
John L. Tone
404-894-8631
Middle Grades Math and Science Initiative
Georgia Institute of Technology
CEISMC collaborates with the Professional Standards Commission and the Board of Regents to coordinate and facilitate the delivery of eight professional development courses for middle grades science and math teachers.
CEISMC is managing the Web-based registration system as well as creating courses for Internet delivery.
O.C. Lam
404-385-0395
School of Materials Science and Engineering Outreach Program
Georgia Institute of Technology
Five high school teachers join with undergraduate and graduate students and faculty for eight weeks during the summer to engage in materials research and develop “modules” to implement in their physics, chemistry, and math high school courses.
Program includes field trips to various on-campus laboratories and to local companies.
Ashok Saxena
404-894-2888
SECME, Inc.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Goal is to increase the pool of underrepresented students who are prepared to enter post-secondary studies in science, math, engineering, and technology.
Workshops are held for teachers and counselors to obtain course-specific curriculum enrichments, methods for integrating computer technology in their classrooms, and details about the required academic preparation for students pursuing engineering.
Dr. Yvonne Freeman
404-894-3314
Grady High School Health Career Academy Project
Georgia State University
Provides leadership, mentoring, and human and physical resources to the development of the Health Career Academy at Grady High School.
The Academy provides an important learning arena for prospective teachers, counselors, and health educators.
Susan McClendon
404-651-2515
Great Cities’ Universities Urban Educators Corps Partnership Initiative
Georgia State University
GSU and Atlanta Public Schools focus on improving urban education in reading instruction with culturally relevant pedagogy for grades K-8.
Through these efforts, GSU intends to align its curriculum for pre-service and in-service teachers to meet the needs of urban school systems while university faculty work more closely with personnel in local school systems.
Educational Policy Studies
404-651-2582
Meaningful Mathematics in an Urban School Environment (M2USE)
Georgia State University
Partnership in research on the teaching and learning of math in urban middle grades that focuses on an innovative process of reflective lesson planning, teaching, and debriefing to implement the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards (this project is connected to NCTM’s teacher-researcher collaborations in math education).
Christine D. Thomas
404-651-0200
Carmelita Santiago
Office of Direct Instruction
Georgia State University
Promotes effective programs for teaching reading, math, language, writing, and spelling; trains teachers in the use of the programs prior to implementation; provides continuing education to teachers working with the programs; and provides technical support to schools implementing the programs.
Services are structured to identify the need for and arrange in-class or side-by-side coaching.
Dr. Laura Fredrick
404-651-2310
Principals’ Center
Georgia State University
Works to make a positive difference in the lives and learning of children by increasing the leadership capacity of principals and assistant principals.
Helps school leaders learn about and establish school conditions that are known to support teacher success and student achievement. Offers an expert leadership speaker series, mentoring programs, and international exchange programs.
Educational Policy Studies
404-651-1151
School-Wide Discipline Project
Georgia State University
Project uses a competitive process to select and train school personnel to implement a model based on an individual school’s needs and capacity.
Assists schools in implementing their discipline programs consistently to experience fewer disciplinary referrals and enhance the ability to support student learning.
Dr. Juane Heflin
404-651-2310
Children’s Literature Conference
Kennesaw State University
Teachers and teacher candidates gain in-depth knowledge on using literature for adolescents and children in the classroom at a two-day program during Spring semester.
General sessions feature authors who share their writing expertise and stories about children and their writing. Smaller sessions focus on varying topics regarding literature for adolescents and children. Students in partnership schools interact with authors whose works they are reading.
Pam Cole
770-423-6351
Department of Educational Leadership
Kennesaw State University
In this Teacher Leadership effort, KSU, the Georgia Teacher Center and Cobb, Fulton, Paulding, Gordon, and Dalton school systems recommend candidates and provide opportunities to explore the role of teachers in school reform.
Linda Webb
770-423-6888
Georgia Teacher Center
Kennesaw State University
Supports Georgia’s K-12 teachers as they improve the teaching profession statewide, implement reform at the school level, and create sustained increases in student achievement.
Provides a Web site for online communication between teachers, and helps facilitate a support network of educators.
David Watts
770-420-4422
Kennesaw Mountain Writing Project (KMWP)
Kennesaw State University
Provides summer institutes for teachers, a school-year professional development program, and contracted staff development courses for schools and districts. Programs are developed and assessed through an advisory board comprised of school teachers, community, and university leaders.
The Keeping and Creating American Communities (KCAC) program brings together K-16 teachers to develop writing-intensive, interdisciplinary ways of studying American community life in the past and present, and to prepare active citizens for the future.
Sarah Robbins
770-423-6127
Master Teacher Approach to Student Teacher Supervision
Kennesaw State University
Awards adjunct faculty status at KSU to P-12 public school teachers who qualify, and who have the credentials of a master teacher.
These master teachers are given full responsibility for the supervision and evaluation of KSU student teachers.
Vicki McLain
770-423-6734
Professional Teacher Education Unit P-12 Reading Institute
Kennesaw State University
Offers Web site that provides outreach by offering links to professional literacy organizations, online professional journals in literacy, the Georgia Department of Education, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s News for Kids.
Teaching Tips page will facilitate further professional development of teachers of literacy.
Linda Akanbi
770-423-6481
SINO-American Education Consortium (SAEC)
Kennesaw State University
Improves education and teacher education in China and the United States through: exchange of educational information; exchange of faculty and students; establishment of sister school relations; consultations on the educational problems and needs of the respective countries; and the publication and distribution of cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, and international studies.
Membership includes P-12 schools, colleges, universities, and agencies in the United States and China that work collaboratively with institutions and persons interested in teacher education in China or the United States.
Dr. Yiping Wan
770-423-6117
Teacher Induction
Kennesaw State University
The Center for Field Experiences and Partnerships helps support and retain new teachers by employing both an individualized induction delivery model and inter-system partnership model, involving on-campus conferences in which all systems participate.
The Center’s Induction programs include: mentor and staff development support; incorporation of the skills and talents of Teachers of the Year; collaboration with “Project Respect” for retired teachers to provide mentoring and training to new teachers; induction newsletter, Web site, and online discussion board and listserv; and remediation and mentoring of first and second-year teachers.
Anne Marie Fenton
770-423-6734
Teacher of the Year Initiative
Kennesaw State University
Raises the status of the teacher to a higher level in all aspects of the teaching profession; engages the teacher in educational opportunities to work as a mentor, university faculty member, speaker, and other leader; and rewards teachers for outstanding contributions made to the profession.
Vicki McLain
770-423-6734
Teacher Resource and Activity Center (TRAC)
Kennesaw State University
Provides curriculum and professional library plus a workroom with equipment to develop units, modules, and projects for instruction.
Offers 20 workshops for teachers per year which can involve collaboration with other higher education institutions and the business community. Sponsors Scholastic Book Fair twice a year which attracts teachers and students from the metro area.
Diane Poore
770-423-6420
WebTech
Kennesaw State University
Professional development program focused on the use of Web technology in the classroom based on research, communication, resources, online activities, Internet projects, and Web publishing.
Participants are teams of Georgia’s K-12 educators who receive seven days of training at participating campuses.
Michael Murray (KSU)
770-499-3315
Technology Training Center (UGA)
706-542-0240
Georgia Gwinnett College
770-339-5215
Metro Atlanta Best Practices Conference
Mercer University-Atlanta
Annual conference focusing on teaching strategies, techniques, and other best practices welcomes attendees from all public and private schools.
Bruce Sliger
678-547-6336
Mary Willingham
678-547-6197
Mack Duggins
Center for Excellence Improvement of Instruction in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Programs
Morehouse College
Ten teachers from Atlanta Public Schools attend workshops on science and math pedagogy, involving innovative methods of instruction, creative uses of technology and resources in instruction, and discussion of philosophical issues attendant to the teaching and learning of science and math.
Selected teachers also engage in research with a faculty member for six weeks.
Robert Dixon
404-681-2800 x2615
Teaching Charles W. Chesnutt: Pedagogies, Methodologies, and Resources
Morehouse College
High school teachers engage in a workshop on teaching the literary works of Charles Chesnutt.
Participants are exposed to distinguished scholars and critics in the humanities.
Hazel Ervin
404-681-2800 x2150
Student and Enrollment Services
Southern Polytechnic State University
Southern Polytechnic currently is a Partner in Education with Tapp Middle School, and in Fall 2002 will add Mabry Middle School and Awtrey Middle School to its list of partners.
Middle and high school teacher in-service days are frequently hosted on the campus.
Ron Koger
770-528-3720
Yamacraw High School Teachers
Southern Polytechnic State University
Yamacraw High School Teachers, offered jointly with the Extended University, is an SDU bearing program in math, science, and technology that introduces high school teachers to Yamacraw and its implications for their students.
Mike Murphy
770-528-5572
Atlanta Public Schools Science Systemic Initiative
Spelman College
Provides professional development to new and returning science and math teachers from June through July and in Fall and Spring semesters.
Activities include development of assessment instruments and strategies to improve/enhance pedagogy.
Dr. Judy McPherson
404-215-7785
2002 Georgia Environmental Network In Education (GENIE) Institute
University of Georgia
Six-day field-based workshop to increase teachers’ content knowledge of forest resources and provide teaching strategies that stimulate student learning.
Teachers work directly with research scientists, and their classroom is the longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem in Southwest Georgia. All activities are correlated to the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum content standards and meet objectives for the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests. Participants earn 4 SDUs.
Kris M. Irwin
706-542-7412
Altamaha Accountability: A Middle School Environmental Science Service Learning Initiative
University of Georgia
Program immerses middle school teachers and their students in authentic, everyday environmental problems and issues regarding Georgia’s Altamaha River basin.
Program integrates chemistry, biology, and earth science concepts. In Phase I, teachers work with scientists to learn about science concepts/needs during a seven-day field study of the Altamaha River basin. Teachers use this knowledge in Phase II to develop middle school science service-learning curriculum focusing on ecology education. Phase III involves the creation of demonstration middle schools.
Elizabeth Pate
Carol Hoffman
Apprenticeships in Cyberspace: Professional Development Model for the Emergent Technologies of 3D Modeling
University of Georgia
Program builds off of the Virtual Solar System Project, Virtual Exploratorium, and Virtual Gorilla Modeling Project to support teachers using modeling-enriched, inquiry-based learning environments.
Teachers learn about the science, pedagogy, and technology components of making learning outcomes of 3D modeling happen in their classrooms. Professional development model incorporates Introduction, Apprenticeship, Reflection and Integration, during which teachers explore program objectives in increasing depth.
Kenneth E. Hay
706-542-3157
Closing the Gap in Georgia’s Student Achievement: Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning
University of Georgia
UGA, with a number of state partners, will cooperate with the State Education and Environment Roundtable (SEER) to implement the “Environment as an Integrating Context (EIC) for Learning” model in 10 Georgia public schools during the 2002-2003 academic year.
Selected schools will send four teachers, one administrator, and a community representative to the EIC Leadership Institute in June to learn how to integrate the EIC model into their schools and classrooms. Teachers will receive stipends, awards and grants for their participation in implementing EIC. SEER and Georgia-based EIC staffs will work with schools during the academic year to facilitate the project, monitor progress, and respond to challenges and inquiries associated with implementation. The EIC model will use a multidisciplinary approach, working with K-12 math, science, language arts, and social studies educators.
Richard E. Osorio
COASTLINE 2003 Workshops
University of Georgia
Workshops will use Georgia’s coastal environment as classroom and case study. Science texts will be used as springboards for in-depth scientific inquiry about estuarine and salt marsh systems. Through hands-on field and laboratory exploration, library and online research, and seminars, workshop participants will re-evaluate the research presented in the science texts while addressing current needs. Workshops focus on estuarine research and technology, coupled with associated fisheries management issues on the Georgia coast.
Workshops will include a 12-day program at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island, and will include study at other field sites and collaboration with researchers working there.
Bob Williams
Anne Lindsay Frick
Developmental Therapy - Teaching Programs
University of Georgia
Provides staff development programs, consultation, coaching, and technical assistance to education, childcare, and other programs serving children and youth with social, emotional, or behavioral problems.
Training reflects the needs of individual programs and is provided by certified instructors with extensive experience in implementing this direct service model; may include staff visits for needs assessment, planning, program development, and in-service training.
Constance Quirk
706-369-5689
Eisenhower – Scientific Workings of Everyday Things (EisenSWET)
University of Georgia
Project supports 5th to 9th grade teachers developing content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge through an exploration of scientific concepts present in everyday things. The workshop and follow-up activities utilize technology, video, and lab-based learning experiences.
Research and evaluation focus on effective elements of the student experience and the kinds of learning that science as argument promotes, as well as the teachers’ evolution in thinking about pedagogical content knowledge. Teachers in this project will develop materials for use in classrooms as well as give a presentation at the Georgia Science Teachers Association conference.
Chandra Orrill
Steve Oliver
Enhancing Middle and Elementary School Mathematics and Science
University of Georgia
One-week course that integrates math, physical science, technology, and pedagogy. Through hands-on activities and the use of computer geometry and graphing programs, teachers gain in-depth knowledge of simple machines, simple circuits, magnets, and the related math. Teachers also explore inquiry-based science and math, multidisciplinary connections, and science software for K-8 classrooms.
Sustained contact will occur through two academic year workshops and a professional presentation at the annual meeting of GSTA. Teacher participants will conduct homesite workshops at their schools, focusing on integrated math and science.
Lynn A. Bryan
Elliot Gootman
Enhancing PRIME (Partnerships in Reform in Mathematics Education)
University of Georgia
Secondary math methods course, field experience course, and student teaching are conducted through partnerships with six participating school districts.
Cluster meetings allow interaction among mentor teachers, pre-service teachers, and UGA supervisors, and use recent professional development materials to promote learning about math and math teaching. A research component will identify characteristics that contribute to the effectiveness of the program, focusing on clusters as inquiry groups that support ongoing professional development within a school.
Brad Findell
Patricia Wilson
Georgia Endangered Plant Stewardship Network
University of Georgia
Through the State Botanical Garden, this 2-SDU workshop introduces teachers of grades 2 to 8 to a school site endangered plant project that covers Georgia’s endangered plants and the causes of endangerment.
Participants receive a state permit for endangered plants and seeds. Species are seed propagated indoors and transplanted to the school site. Teachers learn basic information about plant growth and propagation. School site inquiry activities are demonstrated. Participating teachers and their classes become part of an endangered plant-monitoring network. Students conduct experiments and record detailed observations on the plants, which data is sent to scientists studying Georgia’s endangered plants to help in restoration efforts.
Anne Shenk
Georgia Science and Mathematics Staff Development Opportunities
University of Georgia
Representatives from UGA and regional and state education agencies plan, coordinate, and conduct a two-day conference to address opportunities and guidelines for staff development in K-12 science and math. The audience for the conference is Georgia science/math staff development providers and coordinators.
Participants receive materials on the operations, practices, and outcomes of exemplary science/math staff development opportunities.
Thomas R. Koballa, Jr.
706-542-1763
Georgia Shore Program-2002
University of Georgia
Program provides up to 24 K-12 science teachers with an overview of marine and environmental sciences during an intensive two-week summer residential program at facilities on Skidaway Island and the Marine Institute on Sapelo Island.
Lectures, lab, boat and field experiences emphasizing coastal marine studies provide a wide range of scientific content, “hands-on” teaching methodology, and curriculum awareness. Educational use of the Internet, math and computer applications in science education, and distance learning using the GSAMS system will be emphasized. Follow-up activities will be held through the GSAMS.
MaryEllen Timmons
Georgia Systemic Teacher Education Program (GSTEP)
University of Georgia
Cooperative program with Albany State University and Valdosta State University.
A six-year program, from entry into college through the second year of teaching, to improve the educational experiences of and extend support to prospective and novice teachers in content knowledge, pedagogy, and professional development.
Aligns university curriculum to national and state standards and provides collaborative educational experiences involving all members of the partnership. Goals include developing and piloting a technology-based resource library, person-to-person mentoring support, evaluation tools, and professional development.
Frances Hensley
706-542-4038
Getting Ready for Algebra: Helping Grades 5-8 Teachers Develop Students’ Algebraic Thinking
University of Georgia
Helps math teachers in grades 5 to 8 in Newton County Schools strengthen their algebraic knowledge and enhance their teaching strategies to provide conceptual developmental readiness experiences in early algebraic thinking for their students.
Uses technology tools to model algebraic concepts and procedures and to emphasize children’s thinking. Participants complete a summer course/workshop (3 semester hrs. or 3 SDUs) conducted in one of their middle schools. Follow-up includes a fall course/workshop and individual classroom mentoring.
Larry L. Hatfield
Interactive Teaching Network
University of Georgia
Outreach service provider of in-service and pre-service training for K-12 teachers.
New training programs focus on school improvement and creating successful schools.
Interactive Teaching Network
ITNonline: The InterActive Teaching Network (ITN)
University of Georgia
ITN, a self-supporting outreach service provider, has produced over 47 interactive, satellite-based, in-service and pre-service training programs with sites in 48 states and Canada.
New programs highlight strategies that can be used regarding “Implementing IDEA” (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and “Reclaiming Tough Kids,” which focus on the topics of school improvement and creating successful schools.
Philip McLaughlin
706-542-4586
JASON Project
University of Georgia
2-SDU, multi-disciplinary program for middle, 4th, 5th, and 9th grade teachers that offers training on the curriculum, membership in a national professional development project, access to the Team Jason.
On-Line Web site with additional curriculum tools, a chance for teachers and their students to visit Fort Discovery in Augusta and be online with the scientists in field, and nationwide networking opportunities. Projects include: exploring the terrestrial and marine ecosystems that extend from California’s coast to the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary, and exploring the Polar Regions and Alaska.
Athens Center
706-542-0240
John Wiggins
Koalaty Mathematics Instruction
University of Georgia
Project enhances the mathematical learning of all children at Whitehead Road Elementary School through sustained professional development. Works with teachers in monthly staff development sessions and through classroom-based support provided by a math specialist. A student-created math newsletter will enhance home-school communication.
Denise S. Mewborn
Vivian Alford
League of Professional Schools
University of Georgia
Statewide voluntary network of 35 public schools dedicated to creating democratic learning communities that support teachers incorporating democratic learning in their classrooms.
Research is used to improve schools’ ability for informed decision-making and helps improve teaching and learning by documenting what works. Professional development and interchanges between and among member schools are integral parts of the league’s work.
Lew Allen
Monarchs in the Classroom
University of Georgia
Through the State Botanical Garden, two workshops are conducted for teachers and environmental education specialists to help students learn science in ways that reflect the inquiry methods used by scientists.
This national program focusing on the monarch butterfly involves students in planting host plants, rearing monarchs in the classroom for later release, conducting inquiry experiments and charting the monarch’s migration. Students share their data through a Web site.
Anne Shenk
Motivating Students to Learn Science and Mathematics: A Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) Approach
University of Georgia
In-service course beginning spring 2003 building upon new research and pedagogical craft knowledge. The CTL approach uses activities that integrate science and math with students’ diverse life contexts and the real world of careers, significantly improving student achievement.
This program will serve middle and elementary grade teachers by promoting mastery of the CTL approach; applying CTL to new science and math content as specified by state and national standards; and integrating CTL with recent developments in instructional technology, such as the use of simulations to motivate learning in science and math.
Shawn Glynn
New Zealand Field Study for the Improvement of Rural Georgia Teachers’ Content Knowledge and Skills in Inquiry-Based Methods
University of Georgia
The Heart of Georgia RESA and the Georgia Museum of Natural History offer an international field study experience to introduce teachers to ecological, biological, geological, cultural, and social concepts and principles as they conduct inquiry-based field activities.
Teams of science and social studies teachers from rural counties in central Georgia will participate in pre-trip workshop sessions, a 15-day field study in New Zealand, and post-trip follow-up sessions. Teachers will receive either 10 SDUs through the Heart of Georgia RESA or two course credits from UGA. The goal is for teachers to more thoroughly understand the concepts they are teaching, be able to use inquiry-based methods, develop interdisciplinary curricula, introduce new technologies into the classroom, and open the world to their students through their own experiences.
Kerry Carlin-Morgan
Ron Bryant
800-749-7372 x114
Resources of Agriscience for Teaching Science (RAFTS)
University of Georgia
Provides resources for Georgia science teachers in grades 7 to 12 on genetics, biotechnology, chemistry, etc.
Project involves a summer graduate course in which participants become more familiar with current science research in Georgia and design ways to implement this knowledge into classroom activities. Products developed by teachers will be made available to science teachers in Georgia through the Web.
Steve Oliver
David Knauft
Rivers to Reefs: Water Quality Assessment and Issues
University of Georgia
Participating teachers enroll in a 14-day residential workshop based at UGA’s Marine Education Center and Aquarium. Program is oriented to field sampling and laboratory analysis and is augmented with lecture and audio/visual presentations by faculty from MECA, the Marine Advisory Services, the UGA Marine Institute, the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and scientists with the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (NOAA).
Bob Williams
Malcolm Butler
Sapelo Island Project
University of Georgia
Project emphasizes teacher participation in research being conducted through a National Science Foundation Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) grant.
Participants study the ecology of Sapelo Island and work on a research project in a field and laboratory setting with scientists. Teachers prepare an instructional unit based on the research. Students taking this unit analyze real world data through access to the continuously updated Web-based data pages from LTER scientists. Teachers also learn the unique and delicate life that is Sapelo, as well as the distinct cultural history of an island inhabited by descendants of the original Gullah.
Joseph P. Riley
SET Special Education Training on the WEB
University of Georgia
SETWEB is for teachers holding a renewable teaching certificate who wish to add the interrelated certification.
Academic credit courses offered by UGA in the SETWEB program are Web-based. Additional components of a program of study may include teleconferences and on-site activities such as SETWEB Academy and Summer Institutes.
Kimberly Wood
Teacher Support Specialist in Science (TS3)
University of Georgia
Two-year project develops a cadre of science teachers in grades 7 to 12 with the mentoring skills and understandings needed to support beginning science teachers and socialize them into the norms of the profession. Teachers are recruited by science teacher educators and participate as regional teams in science-specific Teacher Support Specialist (TSS) learning experiences.
Learning experiences focus on the problems and needs of new science teachers, mentoring strategies, utilization of technology, and effective science teaching as guided by the Educational Testing Services (ETS) Pathwise Induction Program framework. Instruction involves a one-week session on the UGA campus, sessions at each of the regional sites, and distance learning activities that make use of various technologies. Project goals are to produce 48 newly certified TSS mentors prepared to provide content-specific mentoring; 20 previously certified TSS mentors knowledgeable about recent advances in content-specific mentoring; and a project model and online instructional resources available for use by other university sites.
Thomas R. Koballa, Jr.
706-542-1763
Teaching Habitat-Based Science to All Students
University of Georgia
The National Wildlife Federation and other partners provide staff development workshops for 200 Georgia teachers. Workshops introduce the content, teaching strategies, and sample activities needed to use habitat concepts and school/facility grounds as tools for working with inclusive audiences. Participants explore the various ecosystems and habitat types found in the state, the wildlife that can be found in these areas, and the process of creating a Schoolyard Habitat.
Participants receive an overview of working with inclusive audiences and learn strategies for adapting activities for students with hearing, learning/cognitive, motor, and visual disabilities. Activities and materials are correlated to the National Science Standards and the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum. Classroom materials include two curricula, stipends, SDUs, and other resources.
Richard E. Osorio
Vicki Seastrom
Jana Jones Reese
WD Math: Wildcats Do Math
University of Georgia
Project enhances the mathematical learning of all children at Whit Davis Elementary School through a sustained professional development project. Program works with teachers in monthly staff development sessions and through classroom-based support provided by a math specialist. A student-created math newsletter enhances home-school communication.
Denise Mewborn
Teresa Hobson
Carroll County Rural Heritage
University of West Georgia
An interdisciplinary program that assists local 8th-grade teachers in expanding their units in local Georgia history.
Anne McCleary
770-838-3031
Convocation Highlighting Best Practices
University of West Georgia
College of Education program honors local school teachers for the service they provide West Georgia undergraduate education majors.
Marie Holbein
770-836-6570
West Georgia Leadership Academy
University of West Georgia
Facilitates the improvement of student achievement in the State University of West Georgia’s service area through the strengthening of school leaders’ effectiveness.
School leaders enhance their ability to foster school improvement using a collaborative model focused on collegial grouping, leadership institutes, and executive coaching.
Ronnie Williams
770-838-4375