Twenty-seven area middle and high school math and science teachers recently participated in a four-day Texas Instruments training workshop at Kiamichi Technology Center in Poteau and at Eastern Oklahoma State College in McAlester. The workshops were designed to help teachers integrate the TI-Nspire Navigator Systems and TI-Nspire CX II calculators effectively into classroom instruction, which helps students explore, understand and connect the principles of science, math, coding, engineering design, and electronics. The workshops were conducted by Texas Instruments T3 Systemic Coaches Sandra Hocutt, Jeff Lukens, and Doug Roberts.
In addition to showing new teachers how to use this classroom system to enhance instruction, teachers also received helpful information for preparing students for the ACT college entrance exam and for helping to teach future teachers about the use of this technology. “One of GEAR UP’s goals is to create sustainability of grant priorities once the grant is complete,” said GEAR UP Professional Development Coordinator Lisa Goddard. “Our Texas Instruments coaches have given our teachers valuable information to make that sustainability happen.”
Teachers who attended include Kristen Remaly, Buffalo Valley; Erin Austin, Crowder; Leigh Cooper and Jessica Wigginton, Howe; Lexey Lund, Indianola; Cydney Meglemre, Keota; Tracy Loyd, LeFlore; Chris Burns, Patricia Easley, Sarah Emery, Wynn Renard, Meredith Richardson, and Angie Snyder, McAlester; Dixie Culwell, McCurtain; Kathy Schier, Moyers; Liz Belcher, Panama; Matthew Mitchell and Jessica Nelson, Poteau; Angela Ervin, Rattan; Chad Carson, Savanna; Keith Craig, Marty Darneal, and Lisa Gist, Spiro; Michelle Fugate, Stringtown; Carrie Rymer, Wilburton; Patti Brannon and Billi Hass, KTC McAlester.
The training is provided by Eastern Oklahoma State College’s 2017 GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant. GEAR UP is a federal initiative to increase the number of low-income students who enter and successfully transition into postsecondary education. Eastern has finished its seventh year of the $17 million grant, serving students, teachers, parents, and administrators in 39 partner schools in Southeast Oklahoma.
