Class is in session for Scottsdale Unified teachers

Some of Scottsdale Unified School District’s top teachers are going back to school early this summer.

More than 20 teachers from the elementary, middle and high schools are working on completing their reading endorsements. This summer the teachers completed their first class, Phonics-Based Reading and Decoding. The classes are taught by Dedra Cannon, a reading specialist at Tavan Elementary School and a professor at Scottsdale Community College.

“This is an excellent opportunity to help teachers understand the unique challenges some students are facing,” said Mary McBride, teacher at Ingleside Middle School. “This series of classes and the work we undertake will serve as basis to assist students who struggle with reading.”

The classes are intense and meet for 6 hours a day for eight days. In addition, there is a lot of work for the teachers to do outside of the classroom hours. The Arcadia cohort will continue to take class throughout the 2005-06 school year. They must complete a total of 15 college credit hours in order to earn an endorsement from the state. This endorsement will provide teachers with strategies to help students who struggle with reading.

Additionally, 102 teachers from 30 schools are attending Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures for Success, a 24 hour training conducted by Jennifer McDonald, a nationally recognized trainer who works for Kagan Cooeprative Learning. The classes are being attended by beginning teacher coaches, second year teachers and teachers in the Arcadia and Coronado complexes.

“The workshop is designed to help encourage better interaction among students,” said Andi Fourlis, lead professional development specialist.

Upon completing the workshop, teachers will earn staff development credit. The program is being funded with Title I and Title II funds.

“When cooperative learning is implemented correctly, it is shown to increase student achievement, especially for reluctant learners,” said Ms. Fourlis.

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