AMSTI teachers converge on Jackson for second year
By Evan Carden SA Editor
 | | Top photo: Clockwise from left, Leroy sixth grade teacher Kathy Sturdivant, AMSTI Science Trainer Cathy Thornhill, Excel sixth grade teacher Judy English and Thomasville sixth grade teacher Flossie Thibodeaux use devices to measure the relative humidity in the air. Left photo: L-R, Wilson Hall Middle School teacher Rebecca Vick, Fruitdale teacher Vernice Boman, JMS teacher Suzzane Noble, AMSTI Science Trainer Becky McCoy, Monroeville teacher Dale King and JMS teacher Tamiko Taylor practice pacing, a type of measuring conducted without using measuring tapes. Bottom photo: L-R, McIntosh Elementary teacher Kristi Stoker, AMSTI Math Trainer Rachel Broadhead and AMSTI Science Supervisor Robin Nelson practice dividing fractional portions of irregular geometric shapes. (SA photos by Evan Carden) |
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For the second year in a row Jackson is hosting nearly 400 teachers from across the region as part of the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI).
The classrooms at Joe M. Gillmore Elementary School will be filled for 10 days with teachers from 13 schools, representing four school districts, learning the newest techniques in hands-on learning for their students. Overall there are approximately 800 teachers participating in the AMSTI training, with the other half located at Mobile County's Baker High School.
"This is a great way for teachers to learn how to provide hands-on training for their students," said AMSTI Director Shelly Rider. "AMSTI focuses on giving teachers the tools, along with handson training, to teach students math and science skills in the classroom."
Through the program, teachers are provided with kits containing materials needed for the hands-on instruction. In addition, schools participating in the AMSTI program receive follow-up support during the academic year from mathematics and science specialists.
According to Dr. Lorry Redditt, who oversees the AMSTI project, Gov. Bob Riley has endorsed the initiative and wants to see it instituted in every public school system within the state.
Tuesday, teachers were learning how to instruct students in a wide variety of subjects ranging from geometry to meteorology and pacing, which is a step-off measuring technique that can be used by those in the forestry industry.
Redditt said it is great to have so many schools accepted to participate in this year's program. "Schools must demonstrate a commitment from teachers and staff to spend the extra time involved to become an AMSTI site," she said. "Gov. Riley and the Alabama Legislature have used growth in recent education budgets to continue to expand AMSTI. AMSTI schools showed consistently and often statistically significant gains over non-AMSTI schools in all areas tested by the Standard 10 and by the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT), in both elementary and middle school grades."
She went on to say that educators hope that soon funds will be available to enable every student in the state to benefit from AMSTI-trained teachers.
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