“How can we build upon the students‘ classroom science curriculum related to sound? Can we teach sound in a fun and stimulating way?” That’s what Jessica Zavala, a GUSD STEAM specialist, wants to know. With GEF’s Innovation Grant funding, all first graders in the District will get to explore sound in three lab activities at school and then construct their own musical instrument to take home. GEF believes in the transformative power of these hands-on experiences, and we can’t wait to see how this unit works out!
Tara Vowels, a classroom teacher at Foothill School, received a Professional Development Scholarship for an in-depth Science of Reading training with a focus on best practices for students with dyslexia and English learners. She says, “The course will teach about various types of assessments that I can use to guide my reading instruction and how to implement and create structured literacy lessons. All of the components of the course will benefit students in my classroom for many years.” Tara has plans to share her learning with other teachers at her school site and throughout the District, benefiting even more teachers and their students.
Kellogg School analyzed their reading scores and found a gap between their multilingual learners and Latinx students and other ethnicities. They are determined “to find and research the best strategies for strong instructional practices to ensure student success, with a lens of focus on building equity in learning progress for our multilingual learners,” says principal Regina Davis. Two educators from Kellogg will attend the CABE conference. They, too, are committed to sharing knowledge and will dedicate time at staff meetings to discuss and present the strategies and ideas they learned.
Being “a positive force for change” is driving Kandie White, La Patera teacher. With GEF’s funding, she will attend the California Mathematics Council’s Central Symposium. She says, “…attending this conference will provide me with many new tools, strategies, and inspirations for engaging my students in their math efforts.” As part of a District-wide committee on curriculum, Kandie can extend her sharing with teachers at all schools in GUSD as well as her own grade level team.
Goleta Union School District is focused on improving reading and math scores and closing the achievement gap. By funding Professional Development, GEF supports educators to take on the challenges facing today’s students.