Spring 2015 Course Offerings
Visit our course catalog registration website for the most up-to-date course offerings.
Values Based Leadership Courses
Atlanta RISE
Facilitator: Samuel Wakefield
Credit Hours: 4 credits
Date + Time: Saturdays: Oct 4th, Nov 1st, Dec 6th, Jan 10th, Feb 7th, Mar 7th, 9am-1pm
Location: Community Grounds
Atlanta RISE is our region’s premier leadership development program that focuses on enhancing the already emerging values and competencies of our most skilled up and coming leaders. What is the profile of a participant in Atlanta RISE? Atlanta RISE is for 2nd year corps members and alums. Participants in Atlanta RISE should have the following characteristics:
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Self-Awareness - a baseline understanding of their values, identity, and strengths
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Growth Mindset - a desire and ability to expand their knowledge, skills, habits, and behaviors
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Proven track record of success
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Looking to expand their impact
Watch this video for highlights from previous Atlanta RISE experiences: Atlanta RISE Video (Password: RISE2013)
Albany Community Leadership Journey
Facilitators: Samuel Wakefield and Lauren LaMont
Credit Hours: 4 credits
Date + Time: April 6th -April 9th - REGISTER HERE (restricted to accepted applicants)
Location: Albany, GA
Each spring we take a group of teachers, students, and community members with us to Albany, Georgia to explore issues of personal leadership and the legacies of the Civil Rights movement here in Georgia and its impact on us today as leaders. This course is a great mid-year boost for those in their 1st year of teaching who need a reminder about why they do this work, and what values, capabilities, and convictions they bring to this work as leaders.
Watch this video for highlights from our 2014 Albany Community Leadership Journey: Albany Leadership Journey Video (Password: LEAD123)
For those interested, the application can be found here: 2015 Albany Community Leadership Journey Application. The application deadline is Monday, December 15th.
Power and Privilege Courses
Justice Journey (Primarily 2nd Year CMs)
Facilitators: Samuel Wakefield and Lauren LaMont
Credit Hours: 4 credits
Date + Time: Jan 16-18th
Location: Atlanta, GA
The mission of the Justice Journey is to increase the empowerment and leadership of our students and communities by cultivating social justice-oriented teacher leaders. This requires grounding new corps members and staff in a deeper interpretation of social change movements to help us reframe our work through the lens of equity with consideration of identity, values, motivations and goals; which continually evolve and help define us as change agents. We will engage in the following type of activities:
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Small group reflection and discussion exercises about the history of education in America, the role eugenics played in education’s evolution, and the implications of race and class in education
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Visiting cultural attractions around the city connected to various social movements- with a particular lens towards the history of race and class in or work as educators.
My Experience and the Education System
Facilitator: Jacinta Williams
Credit Hours: 2 Credits
Date + Time: Option 1: February 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Date + Time: Option 2: March 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Each CM will engage in a pre-reflective self-assessment concerning their identity stages and comfort ability talking about race; throughout the course, conversations will occur in small group settings to help participants further explore issues of race and class in relation to their personal identity development. Sessions will include skill building around the DCA competencies: expanding our locus of control, suspending judgment, developing interpersonal awareness, and asset based thinking.
Meeting the Needs of our Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
Facilitators: Nelmaris Alvarez-Triana
Credit Hours: 2.5 credits
Date + Time: Mondays: Mar. 2nd, Mar. 9th, Mar. 16th, Mar. 23rd, Mar. 30th, 6pm - 8pm - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Interested in helping your English Language Learners thrive academically in a learning environment that is affirming of their identity and experiences? Whether you have one student working to learn English or a class full, this course is for you! In this course, we will dive into strategies, skills, and approaches that create a welcoming and affirming learning environment for ALL students. We will also analyze and begin to implement linguistically responsive teaching principles.
The Intersection of Race and Sexuality
Facilitator: Various
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: March 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
The CHRIS Training Institute will provide a four-week course focusing on the intersectionality of race and sexuality among today’s student. This series will jumpstart conversation around understanding LGBTQ work in education through an intersectional lens and educate Teach For America Corps Members on supportive practices for all students in the classroom setting. The series will be comprised of four, 2-hour sessions that will use interactive, small group exercises, experiential techniques and a respectful approach to examine the identity of today’s student and the role Corps Members’ personal and professional beliefs and values regarding race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression impact the learning experience.
Culture Courses
Excellent School Visit: KIPP Professional Development Day
Facilitators: Yael Dvorin Ross, Kaleah French, Erin Fleming
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: Tuesday, February 24th - REGISTER HERE
Location: KIPP Metro Atlanta school sites
KIPP Metro Atlanta is offering a Professional Development Day during the school day on Tuesday February 24th This is a special opportunity for teachers of all grades to see some exceptional teachers in action and learn about a few of the strategies KIPP Metro Atlanta schools implement to help develop strong classroom and school-wide culture. KIPP Metro Atlanta elementary, middle, and high schools will be open for CMs to observe specific contents, grade levels, and classroom management strategies based on need and interest. CMs who participate will be able to observe and two KIPP Metro Atlanta school sites and will have a chance to debrief and reflect with KIPP Metro Atlanta School Leaders and staff. This is an opportunity to gain more insight into the mission and operations of KIPP Public Charter Schools and to acquire strategies you can implement in your own classroom right away.
NOTE: The KIPP Professional Development Day counts towards the GaPSC-required deliverable for CMs enrolled in the certification program, TCP. CMs should check LiveText for the Excellent School Visit reflection form that must be completed after your site visit.
The Paideia & TFA Partnership Program (By Application Only)
Facilitators: TBA
Credit Hours: 4 credits
Date + Time: January 2015 - December 2015 - REGISTER HERE (restricted to accepted applicants)
Location: Paideia School
The Paideia & TFA Partnership Program is a program for corps members who are ready to move their students to the next level of personal and academic achievement in order to level the playing field between the discrepant academic achievement of high and low income students. Read more about what the program looks like and all the requirements HERE. There is an application to be filled out by Friday, January 16th.
Elementary Education Courses
Increasing Rigor in Reading
Facilitator: Erin Quackenbush
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: Mondays: Feb. 2nd, Feb. 9th, Feb. 23rd, Mar. 2nd, 6pm - 8pm - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
In this course, we will focus on three different methods to increase rigor in our elementary reading classrooms and make reading even more student-centered! We will focus on aligning daily lessons with the highest level of the standard, written responses for books, and discourse during reading lessons.
Excellent School Visit: Lovett Lower (Elementary)
Facilitator: TBA
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: Tuesday, February 10th - REGISTER HERE
Location: The Lovett School
Join us on Tuesday February 10th on a visit to the Lovett School. This is an opportunity for elementary teachers to continue to build and refine your understanding of path changing outcomes. The first half of the day will be observing classrooms and in the second half we will debrief and create action plans. You need to attend both parts of the day to receive credit.
NOTE: This site visit counts towards the GaPSC-required deliverable for CMs enrolled in the certification program, TCP. CMs should check LiveText for the Excellent School Visit reflection form that must be completed after your site visit.
Differentiation in Elementary Math
Facilitator: TBA
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: February 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
In this course, we will focus on the ways to differentiate in math to lead to student learning of grade level content. Be ready to explore conceptual math in a whole new way!
Taking Centers to the Next Level (Pilot Program)
Facilitator: TBA
Credit Hours: TBD
Date + Time: Ongoing starting in February 2015 - REGISTER HERE
Location: Virtual
In this online course, you will learn concrete ways and approaches to take your math or reading centers to the next level. This is a PILOT program. To receive credit for this course, you will need to: demonstrate completion of the online modules, share targeted reflections with MTLDs within the designated timeframe, and schedule specific follow-up experiences with your MTLD.
Elementary Fellowship 2.0
Facilitator: TBA
Credit Hours: TBD
Date + Time: Spring 2015 - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
In this professional learning community, peer groups will work together to determine instructional strategies for the elementary context based on current classroom data and progress towards vision. To receive full credit you must bring in the set of artifacts specified for each experience from your classroom (data, video clips, student work, etc) and commit to implementing and reflecting on feedback. NOTE: This is ONLY open to corps members currently in the Elementary Fellowship.
STEM Courses
Differentiation in the Secondary Classroom
Facilitator: Kaleah French
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: Mondays: Feb. 2nd, Feb. 9th, Feb. 23rd, Mar. 2nd, 6:00-8:00pm - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Just like the world, your classroom is filled with different learning styles. In this course, we will explore the 3 domains of differentiation (content, process and product) and strategies and resources for implementing them into your classroom.
Inquiry It Is!
Facilitator: Kaleah French
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: Thursdays: Feb. 5th, Feb. 12th, Feb. 26th, Mar. 5th, 6:00-8:00pm - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Hear the word inquiry and tense up? Interested in learning ways to up/start inquiry-based lessons in your classroom? This course will explore high impact structures that lend to inquiry in the classroom and beyond. Get those summative scores UP!
Content Bootcamp: High School Math
Facilitator: Corps Members
Credit Hours: 0.5 credits
Date + Time: Option 1: February 2015 (1 session) - REGISTER HERE
Date + Time: Option 2: March 2015 (1 session) - REGISTER HERE
Date + Time: Option 3: April 2015 (1 session) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Teaching concepts you never learned or don’t remember? Take a crash course to ensure you know what you’re teaching and creative ways to teach it to your students. High School contents at each session: coordinate algebra, analytic geometry, and advanced algebra.
Previewing Upcoming Units: High School Math
Facilitator: Kaleah French
Credit Hours: TBD
Date + Time: Option 1: February 2015 (upon request) - REGISTER HERE
Date + Time: Option 2: March 2015 (upon request) - REGISTER HERE
Date + Time: Option 3: April 2015 (upon request) - REGISTER HERE
Location: TBD
Extend your understanding of the mathematics concepts you will be teaching by unit by: exploring resources and teaching strategies, anticipate and problem-solve around misconceptions and further internalize the concepts behind math standards.
NOTE: This 1-on-1 coaching is only offered upon request. Contact Kaleah for more information at kaleah.french@teachforamerica.org.
Teaching for Social Justice in STEM
Facilitator: Various
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: March 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Pre-Requisite: DEI course, OR Justice Journey, OR CRT Pilot
In a world of state standards and standardize tests it often feels impossible to incorporate issues of social justice into the curriculum. In this course we will examine how to create a social justice centered classroom in the STEM classroom.
The Standardized Zone
Facilitator: Kaleah French
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: March 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Preparing for testing season in the midst of trying to cover new concepts can be tough! This course will explore best practices for previewing, reviewing and how deep learning strategies can increase student understanding.
Growth Mindsets in STEM
Facilitator: Damon Bailey
Credit Hours: 2 Credits
Date + Time: April 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
How do you shift “I can’t do math” attitudes to “Yes, I can!?” Attend this series of experiences to discuss direct actions that build growth mindsets in STEM students.
Special Education Courses
Diverse Learners (General Educators Only)
Facilitator: TBA
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: Spring 2015 - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
SPED Professional Learning Communities: Engaging Diverse Learners in Rigorous Content
Facilitator: TBA
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: February 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
In these professional learning communities, cooperative peer groups will determine instructional strategies and interventions for our students. We will analyze student work and responses; examine teacher actions and artifacts that influence students’ work; and problem solve approaches, techniques, and solutions. To receive full credit for this experience, participants must commit to bringing artifacts that reflect classroom instruction (e.g., lesson plans and assessments; video clips of instruction) and commit to implementing and reflecting on feedback. Join us as we ensure all of our students are in progress to reaching their individualized vision and goals!
SPED Professional Learning Communities: Examining Executive Functions
Facilitator: TBA
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: March 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
In these professional learning communities, cooperative peer groups will learn more about executive function and determine strategies and interventions for our students in supporting them in reaching their soft skills goals. We will analyze how executive functions impact learning, ways to identify problems with executive functions, examine teacher actions, and problem solve approaches, techniques, and solutions. To receive full credit for this experience, participants must commit to bringing artifacts that reflect how their students are growing and commit to implementing and reflecting on feedback. Join us as we ensure all of our students are in progress to reaching their individualized vision and goals!
Humanities Courses
Scaffolding Assessments in World Language
Facilitator: Amber Jackson
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: Mondays: Feb. 2nd, Feb. 9th, Feb. 23rd, Mar. 2nd, 6:00-8:00pm - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Accurately assessing in world language can be a tricky feat. In this course we will focus on creating daily formative assessments and a unit assessment to shows students mastery on interpretive, interpersonal and presentational tasks as well as create daily lessons that align to the level of rigor required for the unit and formative assessments.
Writing 1.0 (Conveying Ideas)
Facilitator: Erin Fleming
Credit Hours: 2 Credits
Date + Time: February 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Are you kids struggling with getting their ideas across in writing? Do they lack understanding of your writing prompt? In this course we will focus on crafting scaffolded text dependent questions that will help students build the level of understanding needed for a more intense writing prompt. In addition, we will focus on helping students create claims, using textual evidence to support that claim, and developing the claim with a sufficient argument through writing.
Differentiation in the Secondary Classroom
Facilitator: Erin Fleming
Credit Hours: 2 Credits
Date + Time: February - March 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Just like the world, your classroom in filled with different learning styles. In this course we will explore the three domains of differentiation (content, process, and product) and strategies and resources for implementing them into your classrooms.
Writing 2.0 (Writing Structure)
Facilitator: Erin Fleming
Credit Hours: 1 Credit
Date + Time: March 2015 (2 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Pre-Requisite: Writing 1.0 (Conveying Ideas) course, OR Reading and Writing Strategies in the Secondary Classroom course, OR writing data with students average scores is 2 or above
Do your students convey great ideas in writing in which they can state a claim, use evidence to support their claim and develop that claim with an effective argument, but lack the skills to write an academic essay? In this course we will focus on getting students to craft an organized academic essay to helps further support their argument.
Teaching for Social Justice in ELA and SS
Facilitator: Erin Fleming
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: March 2015 (4 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Perkerson Elementary
Pre-Requisite: DEI course, OR Justice Journey, OR CRT Pilot, OR Leadership Journey
In a world of state standards and standardize test it often feels impossible to incorporate issues of social justice into the curriculum. In this course we will examine the key characteristics of a social justice education: student-centered, collaborative, experiential, intellectual, analytical, multicultural, value-based, and activism. In addition, we will learn strategies of how to create a culture of achievement for social justice issues inconjuction with the demands of common core state standards.
Thinking Like a Historian (Bear Creek Cohort and Maynard Jackson Cohort)
Facilitator: Erin Fleming
Credit Hours: 1.5 Credits
Date + Time: Spring 2015 (3 sessions) - REGISTER HERE
Location: Bear Creek and Maynard Jackson
The Thinking like a Historian curriculum engages students in historical inquiry. Each lesson revolves around a central historical question and features sets of primary documents designed for groups of students with diverse reading skills and abilities. This curriculum teaches students how to investigate historical questions by employing reading strategies such as sourcing, contextualizing, corroborating, and close reading. Instead of memorizing historical facts, students evaluate the trustworthiness of multiple perspectives on historical issues students learn to make historical claims backed by documentary evidence.
Teacher Certification Pathway (TCP)
Formerly known as TLDP
edTPA Advisory
Facilitators: Various
Credit Hours: 2 credits
Date + Time: Wednesdays: Jan. 14th, Feb. 11th, Mar. 5th, Mar. 26th, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Location: Perkerson Elementary School
This course is required for all first year corps members who are enrolled in TCP. edTPA is a teacher performance assessment where candidates describe, analyze, and evaluate the teaching of a series of 3–5 lessons (or, if teaching within a large time block, about 3–5 hours of connected instruction) referred to as a learning segment. These focus on specific skills for each content area (for example, using textual support in English) and are consistent with the Common Core State Standards, and additional state and national content standards as appropriate.