Pre-Kindergarten PLC

Assistant Principals Ms. Eve Sci (PS 186) and Ms. Meredith Broxmeyer (PS 191) led all district pre-kindergarten teachers in a year-long professional learning series.  The goal was to establish high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood teaching practices and learning experiences to ensure curricula and pedagogical coherence for all pre-kindergarten students in District 26.  Ms. Sci and Ms. Broxmeyer, with the support of the Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE), designed and led participants in professional learning activities aligned to the Pre-Kindergarten standards, aimed at aligning their units of study with a student-based inquiry based approach.

2017-18 Pre-K PLC Overview

STEAM PLC

Logo designed by student Jennifer Lo of MS 172.
Assistant Principal Taso Lampoutis (MS 67) is facilitating a District STEAM collaborative to develop a districtwide understanding of STEAM education.  During the course of the 2017-18 school year, Mr. Lampoutis designed and led committee meetings that culminated in a District-wide STEAM fair in March that hosted almost 500 people, with 125 students showcasing their work.  The committee’s goal of empowering students to become innovators and technologically proficient problem solvers was evident in the student work presented and in how District 26 schools are working to ensure coherence of expectations for STEAM education.

More information here!

Computer Science PLC

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  • Our District Leadership Team created a Vision for Technology that set the path for our schools to follow.  Under the leadership of our CS4ALL Manager, Daniel Gaylord, FSC APPA, Daniel Racic, and our Field Support Liaison, Dr. Tara Davidson, our District Technology teachers drafted a Framework for how they can ensure a K-8 continuum of digital literacy and computer science skills are taught to every child across the district.  Technology teachers continue to grow their understanding of computer science principles and create computer science-based tasks that infuse content area standards. Bi-month, participants develop and share their tasks, student work, and lesson ideas.  Schools are encouraged to hold computer-science based events to build knowledge within their communities (Hackathons; Family Fun Days; CS Coding Time).
Check out some of the many examples of student and teacher learning, along with additional resources here.  

Teacher Team Development

 Through a partnership with the Office of Teacher Recruitment and Quality, Lorrie Ortiz is providing developmental support for other teacher leaders and emerging teacher leaders.  This year our focus is to strengthen the peer visitation process as a method of growing teacher practice and student learning.


Paraprofessional Pipeline Program

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Assistant Principals Ms. Stephanie Famoso (PS 46) and Ms. Christina Guercio (PS 159), with Teacher Leader, Ms. Andrea Nottingham (MS 172), designed and led a year-long program for current District 26 paraprofessionals who were interested in becoming teachers.  Their mission was to groom aspiring teachers in ideals anchored in student achievement, seasoned with values of collegial collaboration, rigorous instruction, strong family and community ties rooted in trusts.  Participants applied via an application and interview process for the program.  Over the course of five sessions, future teachers unpacked the Framework for Great Schools and the Danielson Framework for Teaching while strengthening their skills in lesson planning, the use of data to inform instruction, and the teacher interview process.

2017-18 Paraprofessional Pipeline Brochure

Mathematics PLC

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Assistant Principal Mr. Matthew Paolano (MS 74) and Principal Ms. Colón (PS 131 led a year-long professional learning series for one lead mathematics teacher from each district school.  Their work was focused on strengthening mathematical discourse through strategic planning and implementation of pedagogical strategies.  Utilizing this strategies while growing teacher content knowledge in mathematics, they worked to increase student engagement and mathematical discussions in all District 26 classrooms. Ms. Elizabeth Fisher, Queens North Instructional Lead, supported this series in connection to her work with our Principal and Assistant Principal PLC work that also focused on growing discourse in mathematics through the use of rigorous tasks.

​More information here!