Teachers hone their skills through summer learning

SANDUSKY — People may believe teachers have the summer off from school, but that's not completely true.After classes ended in recent weeks, dozens of area teachers returned to school for professional development sessions, allowing them to learn strategies to better teach the curriculum and engage students in learning. Similar sessions occur for teachers throughout the school year.The Register recently visited two sessions at Perkins and Huron schools, which were optional for teachers to attend.Perkins teachers learn about new curriculum during the district's professional development on June 20, 2019, at Perkins High School.Learning new curriculumAt two sessions last week, Perkins Schools teachers for grades K-5 learned about the district's new math curriculum, called Bridges, to be used beginning next school year. They used paper blocks to see how they can help students visualize multiplication and addition problems. Teachers who attended were paid $30 an hour, since the sessions are outside of their normal school year contract.The sessions' facilitators, from the Math Learning Center in Salem, Oregon, are teachers themselves, said Rena McClellan, district director of teaching and learning."It's taking big concepts and going really deep into them," McClellan said. "It's a lot of new learning. The curriculum focuses on developing students' deep understandings of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex and novel problems."She added: "(The new curriculum) taps into the intelligence and strengths of all students by presenting material that is as linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich as it is mathematically powerful. This is an amazing chance for teachers to have their questions answered by experts."Title I teacher Sarah Riedy, left, and third grade teacher Veronica Galloway work together as they go over a chapter of a book during Huron City Schools' professional development on June 20, 2019.Reinforcing teaching strategiesHuron Schools' four professional development sessions, called summer learning institutes, drew 43 district educators in June with many attending two or more sessions, district curriculum director Julie McDonald said. Teachers are paid $25 per hour while not under their normal contract. Administrators at these sessions are not paid, but attend them anyway.Each session is 1980s-themed: One session called "The Breakfast Club" meets Monday mornings between June 17 and July 15 to read "Causes and Cures in the Classroom: Getting to the Root of Academic and Behavior Problems" by Margaret Seale and apply lessons learned to their classrooms.At last week's session, called "Mixtapes," teachers from Shawnee Elementary, Woodlands Intermediate and Huron High School paired up to read chapters from "The New Art and Science of Teaching" by Robert Marzano that McDonald gave them. While they worked, they listened to music suggested by teachers."Teachers from different schools are working together so they can see what learning standards come first and later and how they can prepare their students for them," McDonald said.Earlier in the day, teachers put on glasses, gloves and used other items to simulate what students with disabilities go through.Kindergarten teacher Beth Krupp said she wore gloves while trying to write."I didn't realize how difficult it can be for students," she said.From the book, kindergarten teacher Laura Pittenger and high school intervention specialist Sarah Salsbury read about engagement strategies to keep students' attention during lessons."Using friendly controversy like polls is a great way to engage students," Pittenger said.After reading their assigned chapter, educators summed up their findings to their colleagues, listing main points on large sheets of paper.Pittenger and Salsbury said personal stories, games and other activities can engage students. When learning about worms, for instance, Pittenger brought in real worms for her students to see and had them crawl like worms."You engage their interests with something that they like," Salsbury said.First grade teacher Heather Hardy, left, works with sixth grade teacher Dustin Kastor during Huron City Schools' professional development on June 20, 2019.From their chapter, Woodlands intervention specialist Jesselyn VanBarg and high school math teacher Rachel Kaufman pointed out knowing each students' family culture, what students are interested in and using inspirational quotes can create a comfortable classroom environment.McDonald explained why teachers should attend these professional development sessions."Educators are dedicated professionals, meaning that to be the best at their craft, they need to constantly hone their craft," she said. "The summer institutes allow us to get a diverse group of educators together and share experiences, concerns and proactively address their needs as well as the building and district's needs. Once school begins, we have limited opportunities to get groups together. We don't always want to pull educators from the classroom as they are our 'A' team."Many Huron teachers also take college classes in the summer and attend conferences on their own time, McDonald said."Our classroom teachers, intervention specialists and support staff directly impact our students' learning and summer professional development is an opportunity for the district to make direct investments in our teaching staff," she said.Huron High School social studies teacher Heather Merckens, left, and first grade teacher Deborah Phinney, center, present their chapter to the rest of the group during Huron City Schools' professional development on June 20, 2019.Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhood