Professional Learning Teams (PLTs)
Professional Learning Teams (PLTs) meet one time per month over the academic year. PLTs are small teams of teachers who meet together monthly to collaboratively learn, investigate, and implement best practices. Participating in a PLT is a deliberate process that requires attention, focus, and a willingness to move beyond sharing lessons and ideas to critically examining practice, research, and implementation.
This PLT aims to improve our teaching, relationships with student/community, and our own lives. We will open ourselves to new ideas and perspectives as we read and discuss each book. Each month a book is read, the focus may be aligned with math/science content, or an educational issue. By improving upon our knowledge, we will be able to improve upon our students' overall experiences in our classes.
This PLT will be facilitated by Amy Sorrentino.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Thursdays from 5:00-7:00pm):
September 30th- SAMC 161
October 28th- SAMC 161
November 18th- SAMC 161
December 16th- SAMC 161
January 27th- SAMC 161
February 17th- SAMC 178
March 24th- SAMC 178
April 21st- SAMC 161
May 12th- SAMC 161
This PLT will work to focus on strategies that build Math Fact Fluency. We will study the research done by Jennifer Bay-Williams and Gina King in the Math Fact Fluency book. We will also be reading, Figuring out Fluency in Mathematics Teaching and Learning, by Jennifer Bay-Williams and John San Giovanni. We will open ourselves to new ideas and perspectives as we read and discuss these books. We will use strategies created by Graham Fletcher and Tracy Johnston Zager in the Building Fact Fluency Toolkit for Addition and Subtraction as well as the Toolkit for Multiplication and Division as a guide to how to implement these math fact strategies in our classrooms and share student work during our PLT meetings.
This PLT will be co-facilitated by Donna Callaghan and Ron Perry.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00pm):
October 13th- SAMC 161
November 10th- SAMC 161
December 8th- SAMC 161
January 12th- SAMC 161
February 16th- SAMC 161
March 16th- SAMC 161
April 6th- SAMC 178
May 11th- SAMC 161
Teacher.Desmos is a software that has many applications of the Math K-12 curriculum. This group will explore how students can learn from both evaluative and interpretive feedback. Students will learn by interacting with mathematical representations, illustrations and getting proper feedback. They will represent their developing ideas with graphs, sketches, card sorts, number responses and more.
This group will learn the functionality of the software, engage in lessons already written, and write our own lessons. After using Desmos in our own classrooms, we will discuss how our work shows evidence of student understanding. These discussions will help us to rethink and refocus the goal of this PLT.
This PLT will be facilitated by Krista Jones.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Wednesdays from 5:00-7:00pm):
October 6th- SAMC 175
November 17th- SAMC 175
December 8th- SAMC 175
January 12th- SAMC 175
February 9th- SAMC 161
March 9th- SAMC 161
April 6th- SAMC 260
May 4th- SAMC 161
This PLT will discuss research-based strategies to engage students to become mathematicians. The book we will use is "Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You'd Had" by Zager. We will discuss, plan and implement research-based strategies applicable to math classrooms from elementary to high school. Each following meeting, we will debrief and evaluate and improve the strategy as a group.
We will open ourselves to new ideas and perspectives as we read and discuss.
This PLT will be facilitated by Mary Dileas.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Saturdays from 9:00-11:00am):
October 23rd- Jacqueline Vito LoRusso Alumni Center **FOLLOWING COHORT MEETING**
November 13th- SAMC 178
December 4th- SAMC 161
January 8th
February 5th- BACON 108
March 5th- SAMC 161
April 2nd- SAMC 161
May 16th- SAMC 265
Members of this PLT will be focusing on teaching lessons through the lens of the cross-cutting concepts, while engaging in science and engineering practices to deliver the disciplinary core ideas.
This PLT will be facilitated by Cheryl Aldrich.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Saturdays):
October 23rd- Jacqueline Vito LoRusso Alumni Center **FOLLOWING COHORT MEETING**
November 13th- SAMC 175, 8:30am-11:00am
December 11th- SAMC 161, 9:00am-11:00am
January 22nd
February 12th- SAMC 161, 12:30pm-2:30pm **FOLLOWING COHORT MEETING**
March 26th- SAMC 161, 9:00am-11:00am
April 9th- SAMC 161, 9:00am-11:00am
Members of this PLT will walk away with design challenges ready to implement in their classrooms. Our goal is to create working solution models for each design challenge. Along with creating the solutions we will also create rubrics and instructional materials. All challenges can be modified to be implemented in all subject areas/grade levels. We will work on curriculum intergration along with how the design challenge can enhance/enrich learning in different subject areas. This will be great space for teachers to gain confidence with tools they may not be familiar with. Meetings will be in person at Grand Island High School.
This PLT will be co-facilitated by Matt Saramak and Carl Koppmann.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Wednesdays from 5:00-8:00pm and Grand Island High School):
October 13th
November 17th
December 15th
January 12th
February 9th
March 9th
April 27th
May 11th
The MAKE PLT provides time and resources for teachers who are interested in learning how to create demonstration models that improve student understanding of concepts. We design and build a variety of projects to use as testing apparatus, instructional aides, or for demonstrations with our students.
This PLT will be facilitated by Joe Bella.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Mondays from 4:00-8:00pm, Off-campus Locations):
October 25th
November 15th
December 13th
January 10th
February 7th
March 7th
April 25th
May 9th
By studying mathematical big ideas and how they progress across grade levels this PLT will support teachers in creating a more student driven mathematical learning community. The PLT will use routines, Context for Learning and other professional resources to support teachers in developing mathematical big ideas in their math curriculum. Our work will be connected to the focus and goals of the Buffalo Math Collaborative and the work of Kara Imm.
This PLT will be co-facilitated by Jill Zobel and Lori Chittenden.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Thursdays from 4:30-6:30pm):
October 21st- SAMC 161
November 18th- SAMC 178
December 16th- SAMC 178
January 20th- SAMC 161
February 17th- SAMC 161
March 17th- SAMC 161
April 21st- SAMC 178
May 26th- SAMC 161
In this PLT members will be exploring regional outdoor locations with science standards and learning in mind. Recording will happen on different platforms to be shared within classrooms and with teachers to guide outdoor learning. Time will be given in the PLT to both explore sites and technology platforms that will contribute to the groups collection of resources. Members will also share personally created outdoor resources during PLT meetings. Connecting all students and families with outdoor resources in our local community is an additional and essential priority for this group.
This PLT will be co-facilitated by Bob O'Connor and Tessa Johnson.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates:
October 2nd, 9:00am-12:00pm, Water Quality and Fishing Boat trip at DEC Boat Launch, Bemus Point, NY
October 16th, 9:00am-12:00pm, Kayaking at 3382 Baseline Rd., Grand Island, NY
November 6th, 9:00am-12:00pm, Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park
January 12th, 5:00-7:00pm, Solar Company Experience with Jeff Shelly
February 16th, 5:00-7:00pm, Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
March 24th, 5:00-7:00pm, Hike with Mike R from Outdoor Chronicles, Location TBD
April 18th, 5:00-7:00pm, SAMC Room 178
April 22nd, 5:00-8:00pm, Orienteering at Emery Park, East Aurora
May 5th, 5:00-7:00pm, Bird Watching at Beaver Meadows
May 16th, 5:00-7:00pm, SAMC Room 178
This PLT focuses on the unique challenges our school year will bring after being remote, hybrid and/or concurrently teaching for nearly 2 years. We will utilize the PLT learning cycle to investigate our biggest obstacles, analyze student work and artifacts and finally share out successful strategies that lead to more student growth and engagement.
This PLT will be co-facilitated by Nancy Claxton and Amanda Jasper.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates:
October 6th, 5:00-7:00pm, SAMC 161
November 20th, 8:00-10:00am, SAMC 161
December 9th, 5:00-7:00pm, SAMC 161
January 13th, 5:00-7:00pm, SAMC 161
February 10th, 5:00-7:00pm, SAMC 161
March 10th, 5:00-7:00pm, SAMC 161
April 6th, 5:00-7:00pm, SAMC 161
May 18th, 5:00-7:00pm, SAMC 178
In this PLT we will be focusing on the social/emotional well-being of the students in our classroom and school community. We will develop strategies and techniques to deepen our knowledge of our students as we work to build classroom communities and foster relationships with our families. Our work will draw upon the Responsive Classroom Model which supports the integration of social emotional learning into existing curricula. Our goal is to build a classroom community while providing our students with tools and strategies to cope with their emotions in a healthy way. Our focus will be on self-regulation and mindfulness. We will read, digest, develop, implement, and evaluate the use of best practices and discuss their effectiveness.
This PLT will be co-facilitated by Jamie Cinelli and Kristen Shouldice.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Thursdays from 5:00-7:00pm):
October 7th- SAMC 161
November 4th- SAMC 161
December 8th- SAMC 178
January 6th- SAMC 161
February 3rd- SAMC 161
March 9th- SAMC 178
April 7th- SAMC 178
May 5th- SAMC 178
This PLT will allow for collaboration amongst K-8 teachers utilizing the Amplify platform in their classrooms. Our goal is to increase engagement with 3D instruction through the use of phenomenon. We will also investigate possible changes to assessment.
This PLT will be facilitated by Danielle Class.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30pm):
October 12th- SAMC 161
November 9th- SAMC 161
December 14th- SAMC 161
January 25th
February 8th- SAMC 161
March 8th- SAMC 161
May 10th- SAMC 161
Professional Collaborations includes small teams of teachers who gather in regional discussions, collaboration, and planning, as well as Professional Interest Group Meetings, Collegial Circles, and Book Studies.
This Professional Collaboration will provide a forum for teachers to share their mentoring experiences with each other in order to gain insight into one another's practices and grow their mentoring knowledge and skills. Mentoring of preservice teachers in their early field experience, mid-level experience and student teaching, as well as mentoring early career teachers, and teaching virtually in unprecedented times, will be the focus. Issues including implementing co-teaching models, high-leverage practices, assessment of candidates in their field experience navigating virtual/remote learning, and other related issues will be discussed.
This PCG will be co-facilitated by Michelle Layer and Kirsten Provenzano.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Mondays from 5:00-7:00pm):
October 12th- SAMC 178
November 8th- SAMC 178
December 13th- SAMC 178
January 10th- SAMC 178
February 7th- SAMC 259
March 14th- SAMC 161
April 4th- SAMC 266
May 9th- SAMC 161
This Professional Collaboration is for science and math teachers interested in exploring how a better understanding of each other’s curriculum can enrich the classroom experience for teachers and students alike. Participants will center the discussion around a major concept of physics and examine the mathematics necessary for its derivation and computation. Special attention will be given to units and how they are the building blocks of most relations studied throughout each curriculum. In addition, there will be consideration of historical events leading up to important discoveries, common language amongst disciplines, available technologies, and connections to the real world.
This PCG will be co-facilitated by Erik Zobel and Brian Dena.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates (All meetings are on Tuesdays from 4:00-6:00pm):
October 12th- SAMC 265
November 9th- SAMC 359
December 14th
January 11th
February 8th- SAMC 359
March 1st- SAMC 357
May 3rd- SAMC 357
Algebra Strings
AP Chemistry
Big Science Uploads
Climate Science in the Classroom K-12
Coaching
Common Language
Computer Science
Flipped Classroom
Hybrid Math Instruction
Mathematics Sharing
Calculus Sharing
International Teacher Professional Developent
Hybrid Science Instruction
Literacy
Outdoor Science
Gamification and Technology
GIS in the Classroom
Manifest
Problem Posing and Problem Solving
Science Learning From Wherever
Growth Mindset in the Math Classroom
Teacher Networking Team
Teaching Earth Science/Living Environment Remotely
Virtual Instruction for Living Environment
