June 11, 2015
(Photos: Kien Nguyen/Center for Inspired Teaching)
On June 10, Inspired Teaching and DC Public Schools (DCPS) came together with a community of teachers and students to celebrate the successes of the BLISS & SCALE Teacher Leaders in spreading inquiry-based, standards-aligned instruction citywide.
Brian Pick, DCPS’ Chief of Teaching and Learning, was the keynote speaker at the event. In addition to congratulating the teachers for their work as educators and leaders, Mr. Pick also highlighted how the BLISS and SCALE programs are key components of DCPS’ work to build teacher capacity, support authentic teacher leadership, infuse literacy into all subject areas, and generate innovative, standards- aligned curricula. These efforts are designed to ensure that DCPS meets its mission to provide all its students a world class education.
Brian Pick, DCPS’ Chief of Teaching and Learning, addresses the 2014 BLISS and SCALE Teacher Leaders.
After remarks by Mr. Pick and Aleta Margolis, Inspired Teaching’s Founder and Executive Director, guests mingled with the Teacher Leaders to discuss the BLISS and SCALE programs and questions related to the teaching practice, such as how to build student engagement; how to incorporate physical movement in the classroom; and how best to bring current events into the classroom. Joining Inspired Teaching staff to present certificates of completion to the BLISS and SCALE Teacher Leaders were Scott Abbott, DCPS’ Director of Social Studies, and Kim Cherry, DCPS’ Deputy Chief of STEM.
(L to R): Cosby Hunt, Inspired Teaching; Matt Fiteny, Inspired Teaching; Scott Abbott, DCPS’ Director of Social Studies
(L to R): Dave Yarmchuk, Inspired Teaching; Jacqueline Smalls, Inspired Teaching; Kim Cherry, DCPS’ Director of STEM; Caitlin Wolf, Inspired Teaching; Sammy Magnuson, Inspired Teaching, Cosby Hunt, Inspired Teaching
BLISS: Building Literacy in the Social Studies and SCALE: Science Curriculum Advancement through Literacy Enhancement are multiyear partnerships to shift instruction in social studies and science, respectively, by leveraging cohorts of DCPS Teacher Leaders who are coached and supported by Center for Inspired Teaching over the course of the school year. Over the 2014-15 school year, these Teacher Leaders have developed their practice in inquiry-based instruction, written standards-aligned curricula for use district-wide, and facilitated professional development for all of their peers across DC Public Schools.
