Easing Teacher Resistance

Let’s face it.  In some way  or another, we all can be a bit resistant to change.  Change is such a monumental feat whole bodies of research are devoted to its study.  The goal of our work is propelling professional growth, and although our approach is to refine and extend teachers’ existing strengths,  we are fully aware that…

When An OG Has Your Back!

There is a gang of OGs in Trenton, NC.  The members come to the school everyday, and their presence in Pre-K through 2nd grade classrooms speaks volumes, often nonverbally.  These Original Grandmas (OGs) use a series of nonverbal cues to communicate expectations. Just a look, a turn of the hand, or a wink of an eye can…

A School in Action: Creek Clean Up

We are not sure when we have seen such innovative applications of learning in the real world that not only include beautifying the school but actually impacting the community! The work that Lowe’s Grove Magnet Middle STEM School of Technology has been doing makes a normal Project-Based Learning initiative look minimal, but in essence that is exactly…

IMPACT Model

  We are making an IMPACT–in more ways than one. The IMPACT Model defines six elements we believe to be critical components for propelling positive, growth-producing professional learning for any organization.     Instructional Practice: Instructional practice identifies the targeted methodologies or pedagogical practices and their underlying concepts which form the content of the expected…