Professional+Developers+Roundtable

Roundtable Discussion

Sharing of Experiences: TMI 4/30/11 What did you learn at the PD’s? Rehanna/Cromwell – AMNH PD It went smoothly with more facilitators, good communications, transferred activities to the DMST’s and modified to the needs of the group. Our group was not familiar with the DNA model and Lauren came up with a lab that included twizzlers and candies so they could understand the model of DNA. Rehanna/Lauren- AMNH PD She thought they would take on a more lead role but Samara and Cristine took on most of the lead roles. I would like in the future I would like more concrete ideas about the grant so that I could answer the questions of the mentees better. The discussion board is not up yet so it would be helpful to show them how to communicate with the mentors. Margie – NYHS PD She was on the last day of the workshops so all the activities were completed. I talked about what I am doing in my classroom and answered questions some teachers had. day. When asked if they were high school teachers, many said no, nor were they biology teachers, so how much or little do we include. Where do we start because there is such a wide range of levels of knowledge and use in the classroom. They were shown the website and told about the kit rental process. The discussion board wasn't discussed since it isn't up yet. Confused about details regarding mentoring. Mentoring groups were not identified. Kim – NYHS PD On the first day of the PD, Dimi didn’t go into detail with the agenda so it was a little confusing to know where to start the PD. It was a nice experience but it was totally across the board and over 50% of the staff was middle school teachers and some elementary teachers. How do we differentiate for a group like this when they don’t have the basic ideas about DNA and where it’s found? Steve/Ariel/Kenneth – No PD done yet, they will be doing it in June. Salma – NYHS PD Last day assistance with Margie and they did lead the last day with Dimi. Margie said all that they did well. Side notes: -The mentees did not understand the program and they didn’t know why we were there. I think we should have done a program introduction but we assumed that they understand what they signed up for. -We need to have more communication and be on the same page with each group especially with what we are supposed to be doing during this grant. -Why did we not get a survey monkey on the mentees so we knew the backgrounds of what we were working with? -How does the discussion board work? When will it be up and running? -Can we get a survey to tell about our experiences with the NYHS and AMNH so we can fix the aspects that went wrong or went well? -AMNH mentors were just lab techs and did not get an active role in the whole PD. There were some moments of leading but it was very small and they would like to run a PD like the grant asks and not be assisting. They wish they would lead more because if we are doing all this during our breaks then we should be able to lead what we learned. Can Mazza and Trowbridge have a conversation about what is expected in the grant so we can take more of a facilitator role because they do not want to be assisting the whole time? -NYHS mentors lead PD with a schedule made by Tamar, Tabitha, and Dimi on the 3 days they were there. Margie, Kim, and Salma lead their days as well like the grant stated. -When are we getting our mentees? How do the logs work?