WS/FCS Power of K Teacher Leaders

Brianca Alston of North Hills

By Eva Phillips

Program Manager for Ready Schools

On Feb. 2, the Power of K Teacher Leaders in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system gathered for their quarterly meeting in the fellowship hall of the United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in downtown Winston-Salem.  This meeting was the third gathering of this school year of this group of kindergarten teachers who are participating in the Power of K Teacher Leader Initiative, supported by a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust as a part of the Great Expectations initiative.

 

This professional development day was focused on data analysis and goal setting, effective science practices in kindergarten, and the importance of documenting children’s growth and learning.  Special presenters included Dr. Sharon Ritchie, Senior Scientist at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill and Director of FirstSchool and Dr. Benika Thompson, Science Program Manager for WS/FCS.

Teachers had time to review data that were recently collected in their classrooms related to the types of experiences children are having, including the amount of time children spent in whole group, small group, learning centers, and transitions. In addition, the data showed the percentage of time students were engaged in teacher-directed activities, didactic instruction and scaffolding instruction. Also data showed the percentage of time students spent in the various components of literacy and mathematics as well as the integration of content areas across the curriculum. 

Nora Pauley of Hall-Woodward

Deeann Kidd of Caleb's Creek

Susan Choplin of Walkertown cheered on by Brian Prout of Konnoak and Christine Harrold  of Walkertown

Laura Wilmoth of Caleb's Creek

Tameeka Troxler of Easton, Angie Tippett of Caleb' s Creek and Christine Harrold of Walkertown