iTEA - integrating Technology Educators Academy
CSD's iTEA Integrating Technology Educator Academy (iTEA) provides face-to-face, hands-on experiences with creating lessons and unit plans using 21st century teaching tools. The iTEA trains educators to promote higher level achievement from students who are engaged in their learning experience. Building on the ideas of effective technology integration and student inquiry, this academy focuses on using technology to enhance higher-order thinking skills. Research shows that effective professional development resulting in lasting change must be sustained over time, with follow up and continuing support for participating teachers. Moreover, research also shows that at least 30% of the money spent on equipment should be spent on Professional Development for the users; otherwise, the equipment is not used to its fullest potential.
CSD's iTEA academy offers teachers with varying levels of integration skills the opportunity to learn to use FREE Internet resources to acquire and enhance their teaching practice. With enhanced technology and teaching skills, teachers will be able to integrate technology into the curriculum and use teaching strategies to promote higher order thinking skills for students.
The iTEA provides technology professional development to a school for a length of time. The iTEA is flexible and goal oriented so that schools can decide exactly what will help support them in achieving their goals. Since many schools are Professional Learning Communities (PLC), the iTEA gives the school the option to create the professional development they need. The VLC is excited to be able to provide technology professional development that supports the PLC model by using realistic goals that focus on measurable achievement. eMINTS Training Enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies (eMINTS) transforms classrooms into places where teachers and students use multimedia tools to better understand the world, work together and achieve at new and higher levels. Our group is an unique partnership between eMINTS and Cooperating School Districts to provide professional development training to eMINTS teachers in the St. Louis area.
During each school year, we have two groups of teachers, those in their first year of professional development, and those in their second year.During the first year of the program, eMINTS teachers come together for 100 hours of professional development training. During the second year, they participate in 75 hours. This training helps teachers transform their classrooms into learning communities that use technology as a tool to increase student achievement. For the teachers and their facilitators, it is a journey of learning and laughter, challenges, and successes. The VLC has trained eMINTS Instructional Specialists ready to begin eMINTS with your staff. Contact Ruth Block for more information. (314) 692-1272
