Talent Development Academies: Project Talentum Academe

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TDA Hosts Summer Professional Development Sessions

August18

Cohort I Schools – Gaining Speed on the Talent Development Highway

As Angel Oak and Springfield Elementary Schools embark upon their third year as Talent Development Academies, they joined together for a 1-day professional development session on July 25, 2017. The faculties were welcomed by Dr. Fran Welch, Dean, School of Education, Health, and Human Performance, College of Charleston, Dr. Kevin Eakes, Interim Director of Learning Services, Charleston County School District, and Ms. Blondell Adams, Director of Elementary Gifted Programs and Talent Development Academies, Charleston County School District. All leaders recognized the success these schools have shown to date and reminded them of the valuable work of which they are a part. Dr. Anne Gutshall reviewed growth mindset with the group, and took the conversation of motivation and the psychology of learning further through discussion of focused, critical feedback.  She helped teachers recognize the role of feedback in student growth and offered strategies teachers can use to provide growth-promoting feedback.

Teachers broke into smaller, more focused groups to engage in sessions in which they deepened their content area knowledge. Through a conference-style format, teachers chose from a variety of professional development options within each of the day’s different breakout session times, attending sessions that would extend and develop their skills and knowledge. The sessions ranged from an introduction to Talk Moves to differentiation of  ELA and math curricula, to inquiry-based science, Jacob’s Ladder, and growth-oriented mindset. Dr. Gutshall, Heather Grant, Lara Kessler, Lindsey Blackmon, and teacher leaders from both schools led the sessions.

Cohorts II & III – Teachers as Talent Scouts: Finding and Developing Student’s Talents

Cohort 2 and 3 schools, Minnie Hughes Elementary, E.B. Ellington Elementary, and Frierson Elementary, came together on July 26 and 27, 2017, for two days of professional development. Day 1 began with an introduction and welcome by Dr. Fran Welch and Dr. Kevin Eakes. These leaders were joined by Ms. Blondell Adams who shared her experiences as principal of a Talent Development Academy and offered words of support and encouragement as schools embark on the journey of becoming a Talent Development Academy.

Teachers learned about the three pillars of Talent Development and better understood the background of earlier work on which the Talent Development Academy Project is founded. Dr. Anne Gutshall, College of Charleston Faculty Partner, talked with teachers about brain basics, neuroplasticity, and motivating students through a focus on effort and growth.  On Day 2, Dr. Meta Van Sickle, College of Charleston Faculty Partner, facilitated a discussion on cultural competency hosting teacher panelists Tonya McIntyre, Sean Polgar, and Alexis Duncan as they shared their personal and professional experiences. During each afternoon on both days, teachers broken into grade level groups  (K-2 and 3-5) to explore the basics of powerful curriculum in ELA and math. Teachers left the two day professional development with ideas, materials, and instruction tools to test student responses to thinking models and engaged classroom discussion.

 

 

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