Northport highlights STEM expansion, EduCLIMBER rollout and instructional coaching

Northport-East Northport Union Free School District trustees heard a combined update March 6 on middle-school student work, a districtwide expansion of elementary STEM teachers and plans to expand data tools and instructional coaching for 2025'026.

The presentations, led by district administrators and Future-Focused Teachers (FFTs), described how the STEM program has grown from a single full-time position serving grades 3—4 to four full-time K—4 FFT STEM teachers, one assigned to each elementary building, and how the district will expand teacher collaboration and use of the EduCLIMBER data dashboard.

The STEM update opened with a student statement. "I've only been a student at Northport Middle School for about 2 years. But the second I walked into that school, I had a feeling that I would be changed for the better," said Ashley Johnson, a Northport Middle School student. The student speakers and teachers showed examples of student I-Ready "data chats," classroom celebrations when students complete milestone lessons, and extracurricular engagement including the school musical that involves more than 130 students.

District leaders tied the STEM work to broader instructional priorities. "One of the tools supporting this work is EduCLIMBER, a data dashboard designed to give teachers real time access to student performance information," Robin Rand said. Rand, who the district said will transition to "director of instructional services," described plans to expand EduCLIMBER training from leadership teams to all classroom teachers next year so PLC (professional learning community) teams can make data-driven decisions.

Teachers who serve as FFT STEM teachers detailed classroom practice and aims. Jen Baranaskis, FFT at Ocean Avenue School, said having a full-time STEM teacher in each building lets staff extend lessons, increase exposure to digital fluency and run building-wide STEM challenges. Brianne Burstein (Pulaski), Rose Florio (Fifth Avenue Elementary) and Leah DePaolo (Norwood Avenue) described how the lab model emphasizes collaboration, 'failing forward' as an iteration strategy and early exposure to coding and real-world problem solving.

Administrators stressed that the STEM labs are not intended to be isolated experiences. "We don't want these types of learning activities to be a place that students have to go to experience," Dr. Moyer said. The district said the FFTs will support classroom teachers and the PLC model so hands-on STEM learning becomes integrated across the school day.

Trustees asked about literacy and sustaining student interest. In response, district staff said the writing program and the Writing Revolution work piloted at the middle school will be moved into elementary grades next year and that interdisciplinary approaches and student voice/choice are central to maintaining interest through secondary school.

Clarifying details discussed during the presentation included: FFT staffing grew from one full-time district STEM teacher (previous model) to four full-time FFT STEM teachers (one per elementary); elementary classes now visit STEM labs roughly three times per year (versus two previously) and some grades have between 18—0 sessions annually; I-Ready pathways are used about 40 minutes per week in some classes and the program holds celebrations when classes complete 100 I-Ready lessons. Presenters also noted FFTs support teacher professional learning and classroom curriculum alignment.

The board did not take formal action on these instructional items at the March 6 meeting. Administrators said anticipated budgetary details connected to the priorities will be included in the district's March 27 budget presentation.

The presentation included short student performances from Northport Middle School and concluded with trustees thanking staff and students for the demonstrations.