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Teachers present conference takeaways on AI, civics, small-group math and library practices
Summary
Four Colonial School District teachers reported professional-development takeaways: AI and robotics for elementary tech, civic education strategies from NCSS, small-group math scaffolding, and cross-curricular library work including AI-literacy and database research.
Four teachers showcased professional learning at the May 11 Colonial School District curriculum committee meeting, explaining how conference sessions are translating into classroom practice.
An instructional-technology teacher from White Marsh Elementary described sessions at the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference, emphasizing developmentally appropriate AI (machine learning focus), robotics updates and practical classroom resources such as literacy mats and blueprint-engineering kits that tie robotics into K'3 literacy and third-grade science.
Chris Manero, a social-studies teacher who attended the National Council for the Social Studies conference in Washington, D.C., highlighted civic-education strategies, a partnership with the National Constitution Center and classroom activities that connect students to local government; he said programs like "On Tuesdays We Vote" help students practice weighing perspectives even if most are not yet of voting age.
Kristen Hartel, a master teacher, summarized the Coalition for Educational Excellence sessions on small-group math instruction and "just-in-time" scaffolding, encouraging student engagement before giving scaffolds and recommending heterogeneous grouping to develop conceptual understanding.
Brooke Carpenter, Colonial Middle School librarian, shared a presentation she delivered about incorporating FactSight and other library databases into cross-curricular research, paraphrasing strategies, an AI-literacy extension the library is piloting, and gallery-walk projects that combine research with art.
The presenters said they are already sharing materials with colleagues and embedding lessons into next year's curriculum. Dr. Brigaitis thanked the teachers for translating conference learning into strategies that support student engagement.
