SAN JOSE, CA – The ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø Office of Education (SCCOE) has received a Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association. This award recognizes and highlights best practices in all areas of education including operation, instruction, and support services.This year, the SCCOE STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Initiative was recognized for STEAM: Innovative Professional Development Certificates. The certificate series was designed as a year-long innovative practice model to guide STEAM implementation in the classroom. The program focuses on professional development for educators that promotes deeper understanding, and helps create successful integrative practices that support educator learning beyond a one-day workshop.
"This robust training program for teachers is truly a collaborative project which would never be possible without the wonderful relationships we have established with the industry and our community," says Esther Tokihiro Director of the STEAM Initiative.
With support from key community partners, teachers and administrators participate "trainer of trainer" series through integrated learning that aids capacity for STEAM leadership in their school or district. This unique model utilizes either a blended learning platform for digital storytelling and design thinking, or a practicum series with project-based learning at an award-winning school site.
"This program was developed with many partners, including The Education Department of the Smithsonian Institution Hirshhorn Museum, Washington D.C. Public Schools District Visual Arts Department, San Jose Mercury News, San José State University, The Pulitzer Center, Palo Alto High School, KQED, Conscious Youth Media Crew San Francisco, Slave Labor Graphics, The Walt Disney Family Museum, Pixar, Exploratorium in San Francisco, Jabil, BATS Improv, Autodesk, Bullis Charter School, and Lime Design," adds Tokihiro.
This initiative also supports the vision and values of the ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø Board of Education. "I am so proud that this project is receiving recognition, it embraces all the values of SCCOE, and demonstrates some of the great work our organization offers every day to our community," says Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Interim County Superintendent for the SCCOE.
Teaching educators to foster 21st century skills through leadership, collaboration, and innovation allows them to impart students with greater access to high-quality education, getting them on the right path to build innovative and successful pathways into the future. Learn more about the SCCOE STEAM initiative at http://bit.ly/sccoesteam
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The STEAM team provides professional development in science, mathematics, ELA, engineering, arts, Career Technical Education (CTE), and literacy across content areas. On-site assistance is available focusing on program implementation, teaching strategies and support with the integration of STEAM content areas and the infusion of technology to bring context and real-world to the classroom.
The ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional and business services to the 31 school districts of ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø. The SCCOE serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The Office also provides curriculum support, staff development, and technology support and training directly to teachers and staff in schools countywide. ​