A School Looking to Give the Gift of Science and Mathematics
Jennifer Gonzalez-Funes know how important a rich science and mathematics education is in today’s career opportunity arena.
She founded Fort Hill Collaborative Elementary School as a way to give children, especially young girls, a rich STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education.
Principal Gonzalez-Funes, along with co-founder and Assistant Principal, Ms. Romero, believed a great STEAM curriculum is active and hands-on.
“The approach that we take is ‘inquiry first’,” says Principal Gonzalez-Funes. “We want teachers to understand what skills students already possess for tackling a particular problem or standard. Sometimes students come up with creative, logical ways of breaking down problems that the teacher may not have thought of.”
“I have always been one to struggle in a structured ‘sit down and focus’ learning environment,” she added. “I want my school to be a place of inquiry, engagement, and exploration for both students and adults.”
Testing The Waters With LINCspring
School leaders knew they wanted to increase hands-on and blended learning opportunities in their classrooms. But the question of how they were going to do so remained.
Before diving in, they wanted to first test the waters. 10 of the school’s 16 teachers began working with LINCspring coaches.
They began using LINCspring’s online Cycles in a professional learning community every Friday morning. Teachers discussed what they are doing in their classrooms and gave each other feedback. This was designed to support development of blended learning practices.
Creating Space for Teachers to Innovate
The school leadership team carved out a safe space for these teachers to try new things.
An “Innovator in Action” sign on the door means that the teacher inside is trying new skills, new software, or new instructional strategies.
Principals and teachers also came to an agreement to not evaluate teachers when they’re innovating. This gives them the freedom to try new things without the pressure to be exceptional the first few times.
Fort Hill teachers also participate in the Pineapple Project. A pineapple picture, a historic sign of welcome, may be posted outside the classroom.
This lets colleagues and staff know that teacher in the room welcomes colleagues, coaches, administrators, and others to drop in and observe the classroom to give feedback or observe new strategies like those being studied in their Friday PLC.
“Technology is now being used for more than babysitting,” said Principal Gonzalez-Funes. “I used to hear teachers say things like, ‘You can use the iPad for 15 minutes if you get your seat work completed.’ Technology was more of incentive for good behavior. Now, our pilot teachers are practicing station rotation and using technology meaningfully for advancing student learning. And giving students choices over stations has meant an increase in student voice in the classroom.”
Giving Students Unforgettable Learning Experiences
Tiffany Allen, Fort Hill’s STEAM teacher, began offering many enrichment opportunities in all the classrooms.
Some students are learning to code. Other students participate in a grow-to-learn garden. A kitchen is available to explore the science of cooking by working with recipes and fractions.
And for the first time this year, students across the school participated in the City’s soapbox derby, an engineering project.
Seeing Real Student Progress Thanks To LINC
Amanda Perillo, Fort Hill’s performing arts teacher, commented, “Using LINCSPRING has definitely sparked a fire under a number of our teachers in the pilot. It has encouraged them to focus on 21st-century learning, not simply the use of technology. LINCspring has given teachers agency to leave their textbooks, to innovate in the classroom, and to use technology to support rich instruction.”
“I’m anxious to see the impact on the New York State test data” said Principal Gonzalez-Funes. “We do lots of benchmark tests and teachers are already seeing progress in student results based on increased engagement, aligned projects, and more rigorous projects.”
Next year, all teachers will be involved in the blended learning project. Those who were involved in the pilot will be coaches for the six teachers and new fifth-grade team who weren’t involved. Gonzalez-Funes is excited about the future of her school. “LINC is coming back to do a post-implementation observation next week. I’m excited to see what the overall change has been in our practice. My goal is to create a blueprint for what innovative, blended learning looks like at Fort Hill,” said Gonzalez-Funes.