Professional Development for Educators

Mentors in Technology

In partnership with the Mid Atlantic Regional Technology Lab at Temple University, COG's Regional Education Program has trained a cadre of teachers in six of the region's schools. They in turn are working with a team of up to five additonal participating teachers. An interactive website, "Reflection Connection," which provides a platform outside of school for professional development and the opportunity for teachers to hone their instruction skills through peer coaching.

Participating Schools

Barrett Elementary School, Arlington County
Crossland High School, Prince George's County
DuVal School, Prince George's County
Meadow Hall Elementary School, Montgomery County
Northwestern High School, Prince George's County
Piney Branch Elementary School, Montgomery
Spring Hill Lake Elementary School, Prince George's County
Thomas Stone Elementary School, Prince George's County

Program Highlights

Piney Branch Elementary School
Eighteen students from Piney Branch Elementary School attended a five-week summer learning session, which was focused solely on math proficiency. Jessica Enriquez, the director for the program, structured the learning in such a way that the kids, whose ages varied from 6 - 10, could work on learning math without boredom or overwork setting in. By frequently switching activities, playing math games, and even working on problems with superheroes, the children worked toward achieving grade proficiency before the new school year began. The session also featured field trips to museums and even a few trips to the pool. Toward the end of the session, the students were able to combine their knowledge with technology to create PowerPoint presentations under the theme, "Who Am I?"

Summer Enrichment Program Adds Up
The Gazette, 8/11/04

Teach to the Future

This program, managed by COG's Education Program, instructed teachers on how to incorporate technology tools and resources into their curriculum, create assessment tools and alighn lession plans with state and national standards. It incorporated hands-on use of the Internet, Web design and multimedia software delivered in 40 hours of instructional time with 10 curricular modules. Some 140 local teachers completed the program and then went on to train as mentors more than 4,000 of their peers in elementary, middle and high schools. Intel and its partner, the Gates Foundation, donated more than $3 million in software, laptops, professional development training and cash grants to schools in the metropolitan Washington area.

Participating School Districts and Charter Schools

Alexandria City Public School
Archidiocese of Washington
Booker T. Washington Public Charter School for Technical Arts
Carroll County Public Schools
Caesar Chavez Public High School for Public Policy
Community Academy Public Charter School
District of Columbia Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools
Idea Public Charter School
Kingsbury Day School
Manassas City Public Schools
McLean School of Maryland
Montgomery County Public Schools
Mount Saint Joseph of Baltimore
Prince George's County Public Schools
Spotsylvania County Public School

Program Highlights

Evaluation in Montgomery County Schools showed these results:

• 78% of teachers said that the ideas ans skills learned from the Teach to the Future program would help them successfully integrate technology into their students' activities.
• 64% found that the training was useful in helping them locate and evaluate resources for instruction units in the classroom.
• 81% said they would recommend this training to a colleague or friend.

For more information on COG's Regional Education Program's Professional Development programs, contact Imani Drayton-Hill, PREP Consultant , at (202) 962-3270.