- Year 2017
- NSF Noyce Award # 1439671
- First Name Bethany
- Last Name Henderson-Dean
- Discipline Other: Biology and Math
- Co-PI(s)
Pam Warton, The University of Findlay, warton@findlay.edu
- Presenters
Bethany Henderson-Dean, The University of Findlay, henderson-dean@findlay.edu
Need
Many pre-service teachers have limited in-class training let alone exposure to non-traditional educational settings. Our ATOMS scholars are required to be in the classroom from sophomore to post-baccalaureate years. Additionally, they are involved in community outreach programs that give them a diversity of experiences that aid them in forming their own pedagogical approaches.
Goals
Our ATOMS scholars critique and observe an increased number of classroom settings. During this time, they develop and implement lesson plans during their sophomore year to post-baccalaureate year. Learning often happens beyond the classroom and our scholars observe, discover, and devise non-traditional learning opportunities. To ensure that our scholars are aware of best practices, they participate in high quality professional development opportunities.
Approach
Our ATOMS scholars are required to be in the classroom from sophomore year to post-baccalaureate year. They have mentor teachers at their hub site but also additional mentor teachers where monthly discussion logs are required of each student. Our scholars also participate and implement a variety of community educational outreach programs: Outdoor School, DNA Mobile Outreach, and other regional STEM programming. These community ventures are in non-traditional settings and include locales such as county parks and roller rinks. Scholars are required to attend 3 or more high quality professional development programs to make certain that they are using current and relevant best practices.
Outcomes
Our ATOMS scholars will be evaluated against traditionally trained education majors at our institution. All students who are completing their student teaching are evaluated on their teaching effectiveness using standard rubrics that have been approved by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), National Science Teacher Association (NSTA), The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education/Council for Accreditation of Educator (NCATE) Preparation and the Ohio Board of Regents.
Additionally, students will be evaluated using the Pearson edTPA performance-based process to determine if a new teacher is prepared to instruct in their subject matter.
Broader Impacts
Our ATOMS scholars will be evaluated against traditionally trained education majors at our institution. All students who are completing their student teaching are evaluated on their teaching effectiveness using standard rubrics that have been approved by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), National Science Teacher Association (NSTA), The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education/Council for Accreditation of Educator (NCATE) Preparation and the Ohio Board of Regents.
Additionally, students will be evaluated using the Pearson edTPA performance-based process to determine if a new teacher is prepared to instruct in their subject matter.
