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How to Provide Meaningful Support Services in a Virtual School: Robust Family Support (Part 1 of 4)

Adrienne ScurryAugust 10, 2011

Tags Charter Schools, Online Learning, Parental Involvement, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Pennsylvania

Adrienne Scurry is the Dean of the Family Support Department at the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School. The school won an the 2010 Award of Excellence in Student Services from the Pennsylvania Association of Public Services Administrators.

Okay, so we know the stereotypes and myths of virtual education, right? Students are not engaged. They sit in front of a computer all day. There are no opportunities for socialization. . .

As the Dean of the Family Support Department at the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School (PA Virtual), I am often asked, "How are support services offered in a cyber school?" To some degree, the concept of virtual education is still new in many states so I am always happy to explain how we do it!

Summer PD: Use the News to Keep Projects Real

Suzie BossJune 27, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Media Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, All Grades, Pennsylvania

Unless your students are living on a desert island, they're getting bombarded daily with headlines from around the globe. As a teacher, should you try to tune out the world -- whether it's abuzz with news about natural disasters, social upheaval, or politicians behaving badly -- and stick to your lesson plan? Or can you use headlines to focus student attention on relevant, real-world projects that meet your instructional goals?

Integrating Art and Politics to Improve High School Student Engagement

Mariko NoboriJune 22, 2011

Tags Arts Education, Integrated Studies, Professional Development, Student Engagement, Team Teaching, Urban Schools, High (9-12), History, Visual Arts, Pennsylvania

Editor's Note: AP government teacher Dayna Laur and art teacher Katlyn Wolfgang collaborated to create a joint project between their classes. After Edutopia produced the video below, Dayna and Katlyn, who teach at Central York High School in York, Pennsylvania, shared their strategies for creating a successful integrated studies project. You can also find free resources and downloads from from Central York High School.

Good Ideas Snowball at EduCon 2.3

Suzie BossJanuary 31, 2011

Tags Classroom Technology, Professional Development, Technology Integration, All Grades, Pennsylvania

On the eve of this year's EduCon gathering, a winter storm dumped a foot of snow on Philadelphia. That didn't deter the 600 educators who trekked in from all corners of the country, and beyond, to take part in two days of heady conversations at the Science Leadership Academy.

Romeo and Juliet for the 21st c.: How One Teacher Created a Drama Club and Made Shakespeare Hip

Betty RayJuly 6, 2010

Tags After-School Learning, Primary (K-2), Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Visual Arts, Pennsylvania

Editor's Note: Our guest blogger today is Erika Saunders who teaches 6th-8th grade special ed-learning support and mentally gifted kids at Joseph C. Ferguson Elementary School in North Philidelphia.

"If you build it, they will come." Not only does this apply to baseball fields and ghosts of players past, but also to theater and students. At least it does at Ferguson.

Students Participate in Professional Development -- and Their Own Education

Suzie BossFebruary 10, 2009

Tags Professional Learning Network (PLN), Teacher Development, High (9-12), Pennsylvania

Long before I arrived in Philadelphia for Educon 2.1, I was picking up clues that this was going to be a different kind of education conference. There would be no sit-and-get workshops, according to organizer extraordinaire Chris Lehmann, principal of the Science Leadership Academy, which hosts this annual event.

A Learning Lab on Wheels: Science Is on a Roll

Bonnie Bracey SuttonApril 19, 2007

Tags Digital Divide, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Pennsylvania

Imagine a high tech, state-of-the-art science lab on wheels, one that provides teachers with tools for coordinating school programs and projects and allows them to share with kids the fun and mystery of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

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