Over four days teachers at John B. Hood learned the ins-and-outs of the project-based learning model that they will implement on a limited basis this year.
The training taught the teachers the philosophy behind project-based learning, and walked them through the steps of crafting a project for students. Working in collaborative groups, JB Hood staff established the parameters of the project; most importantly making sure it addresses require State standards and applies to a real-world situation. That was followed by identifying needed skills, resources, and ways to support learners who struggle. Taking the teacher collaboration to another level, the training was done by five New Tech Odessa teachers who are nationally certified facilitators through the New Tech Network.
New principal Wayne Squiers called it, "a great week for our staff." He added that, "as the week progressed [relationships] have really developed through this concept which is what we want with our students."
Kristan Sweatt is a first year teacher who will teach 7th-grade English. She experienced project-based learning in her student teaching and is excited to try it in her own classroom. "I never did well in classrooms that I had to sit still," she said. "I love that I have an opportunity to really bring life to my classroom. It's never sitting down, it's never boring, and no matter what your interests are we can target it."
The school will not fully immerse itself in the PBL model but instead do one - and maybe two - projects each semester.
Jeremy Williams, who is beginning his second year at the school, will teach 7th-grade Texas History. He agrees that incorporating a couple of group projects during the year will be exciting. He thinks the PBL model gives kids ownership of, and responsibility for their own work. But he is aware there can be pitfalls along the way. "It's a brand new thing and it's 7th-grade," he said. "Keeping them on task is probably going to be tough, and it's probably going to be a workload that they're not really used to. But you make the kids rise to your expectations and I think they'll be able to."
Speaking of the kids, at the end of the week the teachers from JB Hood presented their work to the facilitators and to a panel of five New Tech Odessa students. The five - sophomores Ashley Olliff, Matthew Ontiveros, and Heather Robinett, along with juniors Lorenzo Rivas and Juan Lujan - were not shy about offering opinions about their project-based learning experiences at NTO.
Ms. Olliff told the group, "I had my first job this summer and I used every one of my NTO skills at Subway."
Mr. Luna summed up the kids' comments with this remark, "It feels like I'm an adult, in college, rather than school itself. It's more natural [learning], rather than just regurgitating things they told you."
Unbelievable, incredible, and impressive were some of the adjectives the staff used to describe the students' presentation.
"To hear what they had to say and hear their input, to me it's more valuable than anything any other teacher or administrator can tell me," said Ms. Sweatt. "Because if they really are not into it, then what's the point? If we're not reaching them on their level then we're not effective."
After a successful first year, New Tech Odessa is now a resource for other ECISD schools that want to engage in PBL. John B. Hood Junior High is at the front of the line to join in.
