Value-Creation Story: Empty Template for Any Professional

Maria Hasken-Averkamp Prairie Point Middle School/9th Grade Academy (College Community Schools in Cedar Rapids, IA)

Personal value narrative: Physical Science CoPi/April 26th and 27th, 2011 Name: How participation is How participation is affecting my social How participation is helping How participation is changing my changing me as a connections (e.g., number, quality, my professional practice ability to influence my world as a professional (e.g., skills, frequency, emotions, etc.) (e.g., ideas, insights, material, professional (voice, contribution, attitude, identity, self- procedures, etc.) status, recognition, etc.) confidence, how you feel, etc.) Reasons for participation I enjoy the opportunity to I feel with this opportunity to pilot the e I believe helping students to I believe my participation will (e.g., challenges, aspirations, collaborate and discuss curriculum into a blended class will be a become “independent learners” influence colleagues who may be professional development goals, effective instruction and great way to expand my professional is always a challenge to all more reluctant to try new things or meeting people, etc.) new ways to fine-tune my connections with science teachers across educators. I look forward to who are hesitant about utilizing +/- own skills as an the state. finding ways to expand my more technology into their instructor. own horizons on how best to instruction. I am not a tech whiz accomplish this. Also, I think myself but I am always looking for connecting with teachers new ways to reach out to my across the state about inquiry students. and PBL’s in science will help me professionally consider more resources and ideas. Activities, outputs, events, The opportunity to talk I am still not a solid “social networker” Being able to see the Physical I think having older professionals networking with other Physical in that I do not tweet or have a face book Science modules was helpful like me involved in piloting a (e.g., lesson material, discussion, Science teachers across page. I am a more traditional as our 9th grade team of science blended classroom could help some visits, etc.) the state was a great professional who prefers face to face teachers consider the revision who may be intimidated by +/- experience. We all have conversations but am willing to learn the and sequencing of our technology. I am not a tech whiz some common obstacles tools of the trade. curriculum. but can follow directions and and challenges but are a problem solve so I think being part committed group of this pilot can help others later dedicated to positive take advantage of this opportunity. change. Value to me I always value the I value the people I have met at this two Overall, I was energized by the I feel that my school principal (e.g., being a better professional, opportunity to collaborate day workshop and look forward to ideas and content of the realizes the potential for my handling difficult situations, and discuss best practice continuing collaboration and discussion workshop and am excited to participation in this blended Improving organizational in science education. of how best to set up and implement a continue my learning. classroom pilot opportunity. While, performance, etc.) blended learning environment. my school is not a 1:1 school yet, he +/- acknowledges this would be a great way to find effective ways to improve instruction. Note: +/- Indicates that you can provide positive / negative experience

Value-creation story: empty template for any professional Note that the story does not need to start at 1, or go all the way to 5. Name Typical cycles Your story: 1. Activity: I think sharing ideas of how best to implement inquiry based instruction and PBL into a blended Describe a meaningful activity you participated in science room was one of the most meaningful sessions I attended. From this work session, a and your experience of it (e.g., a conversation, a number of ideas were discussed. This conversations made me realize that creating high quality working session, a project, etc.) inquiry based lessons or PBL is a challenge but one that if set up well can transform a good day in science to a phenomenal day for student learning. I appreciated all of the teachers who shared ideas and the idea we can all hopefully share our best resources with each other. I loved the idea of having some of my students in Cedar Rapids possibly sharing and comparing data with students across the state. How exciting! 2. Output: I have learned how to post information on the CoPi site and have posted photos and information Describe a specific resource this activity producedabout a recent science PBL. I have not used Wiki before and have become more adept at using this for you (e.g., an idea or a document) and why you new technology to connect with teachers in the pilot. thought it might be useful. Also, my 9th grade science department is looking to revise the sequence of Physical Science content so I used the e-curriculum as a guide so it will be a more efficient shift when students can utilize the e curriculum resources. 3. Application: Tell how you used this resource in your practice I utilized the sequence of Physical Science modules from the e-curriculum (especially since it and what it enabled that would not have meshed well with our sequence of concepts) to our revised sequencing of our curriculum. My 9th happened otherwise. grade science colleagues and I will be discussing the resources and ideas I gain from being part of this blended class pilot. 4. Outcome: This first session of CoPi inspired me to push myself to consider new ways to pace and help a. Personal: Explain how it affected your students become independent learners. I strive to provide multiple ways to help students learn and success (e.g., being a better professional, job process scientific concepts and I am intrigued by the e-curriculum resources and how to implement satisfaction,) more on-line learning opportunities. Overall, I’m about as organized as they come and I like the sequencing of things we need to b. Organizational: Has your participation accomplish over the summer to help me created a successful blended classroom. contributed to the success of your organization (e.g., metrics they use) 5. New definition of success: I’ve always been a perfectionist but feel like the last year has taught me (through a variety of Sometimes, such a story changes your personal and professional experience), that life sometimes isn’t easy and sometimes it’s better to let understanding of what success is. If it happened go of control and ride the way of change. I feel like it is time for me to make some changes and am this time, then include this here. excited to try out new things and see what they bring.