At Palmer Trinity, we expect our faculty to cultivate academic excellence, through inquiry-based learning, in an increasingly global forum. As we continue to strengthen our academic offerings and enrich our instructional practices, we ensure that each grade and division fully prepares its students for the next level and that our graduates are well equipped for their journey through college, work, and life beyond.
INITIATIVEComplete our comprehensive scope and sequence of academic skills and content in each department.
ACTION AS OF MARCH 2016:- Devoted time to department meetings during each professional development day to work on senior/final exit criteria.
- Modified Grant Wiggins’ Backward Design model to identify senior/exit criteria for each discipline.
- Scheduled to complete the overall scope and sequence for the Upper School curriculum by June 2016.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2017:
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2018:
- Actively continue the development and implementation of a distinctive scope and sequence for Middle School.
- Created a Middle School Academic Council where Middle School Department Chairs meet weekly.
INITIATIVEEnrich our academic programs through systematic program review and teacher evaluations, while examining the needs of our student population to address and support the diversity of learning styles.
ACTION AS OF March 2016: Faculty Evaluation committee has:
- Adopted the instrument for faculty observation and evaluation.
- Selected the platform for individual portfolio.
- Presented to faculty and scheduled to pilot evaluations in April 2016.
- Devoted professional development time to researching diversity of learning styles.
- Scheduled collaborative workshops with professors at the College of Education at FIU for spring 2016 which will allow for teacher training in learning styles.
- Sent four teachers to national conferences addressing the topic of teacher evaluations; provided venues for those teachers to share with the rest of the faculty.
- Established a strategic alliance with Lonesome George & Co. in 2015, to offer the Academy of Agents of Change as an Upper School elective. Through approved curriculum and experiential education, this course will offer students the necessary skills and experiences to design, launch, and run their own ventures in social entrepreneurship.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2017:
- Implemented a new evaluation system which will set a timeline for when faculty will be evaluated and by whom.
- Updated Agents of Change – Modules 4 and 5 to reflect Palmer Trinity School’s overall curriculum.
- Continued to have Faculty and Staff actively serve on Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS)
- The entire teaching faculty attended the FCIS Conference in October 2016.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2018:
- Continued our second year of Faculty evaluations implementing a new process.
- Continued the Theory of Knowledge course using the development of the South Campus as a springboard for innovative learning.
- Reviewed how to develop a process and standard for tutoring/testing, learning resources, and student engagement.
- Instituted a bi-monthly review of students with a C or below (in Middle School) and a C- or below (in Upper School).
- Discussing the re-clarification of the words “Mission Appropriate” in 2018.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2019
- Established C.E.L.T.( Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning).
- Held Faculty Forums:
- “Executive Functioning” - Nov 2018
- “Cross-Cultural Communication” - Jan 2019
- “History of PTS: Past, Present, Future” - Feb 2019
- Published “Ideas Cafe”- online journal that highlights PTS teachers and pedagogies.
- Hired a second learning resource specialist for the 2019-2020 academic year.
- Continued Courageous Conversations.
- Initiated Homework Cafe - supporting a blend of homework help, tutoring, and study skills underwritten by the school.
- Continued to investigate the adoption of the IB Program in Middle School and Upper School and its implications for PTS. Examined the impact on Admission/College Placement.
- Visited Atlanta International School, GA and St. Andrews, FL for IB Program.
- Added English Topics 6 and English Topics 9 courses.
- Hosted several visitors to the academic program from abroad.
- Devoted professional development time to the FCIS 2019 Self-Study process.
- Participating in the pilot program for the digital SAT Grade 11.
- Established a committee to mentor our boys and offer faculty professional development (#Boyz2goodmen) - Conference in Trinity School, NY. and beginning with athletic teams and moving into other areas to include all.
- Hosted Maclay School from Tallahassee and discussed educational practices.
INITIATIVE
Recruit and retain the most experienced, talented, globally aware, and mission appropriate faculty.
ACTION AS OF MARCH 2016:- This ongoing process is led by the Academic Team in conjunction with the Director of Hiring.
- Developed budgets and benefits packages to allow the School to find the most competitive faculty and staff in the marketplace.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2017:
- Assigned to the Academic Team has been the hiring of all new faculty. This team works in conjunction with relevant personnel for all positions within the School.
- Evaluation and assessment of social entrepreneurship opportunities for students to continue in second semester.
- A curriculum group developed in the summer of 2016 implemented, in the Fall of 2016, a course entitled “The Theory of Knowledge/South Campus.”
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2018:
- Team approach to hiring continues this semester, building on last year’s success. Resolve to maintain clear timeline of hiring.
INITIATIVEReview professional development funding to make certain that it aligns with our strategic priorities and allows for institutional growth.
ACTION AS OF MARCH 2016:- Continue to clarify what is meant by “mission-appropriate” teachers.
- Utilized the generous professional development budget across divisions and disciplines; faculty has attended local and national conferences, such as:
2015-16 Professional Development |
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Dates | Event | Member |
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Sept. 21 - Dec. 20 | Making Thinking Visible: HGSE (Online ) | Lisa Colandrea |
Sept. 28 - 30 | The Climate Reality Project | Leo Llinas |
Oct. 1 - 4 | Setting the Standard | Phebe Hibshman |
Oct. 1 - 4 | Learning and the Brain | Katie Lamiell |
Oct. 15 - 18 | Global Education Forum | Fred Truby and Brittney McCabe |
Oct. 30 | AP Workshop | Lauren Lane, Aldo Regalado, Andrew Godley, Graham Andrew, Ariel Cabrera |
Nov. 4 - 5 | FCIS, Orlando | Adrianna Truby |
Nov. 12 - 13 | Miami Device | Emily Wilkens, Andrea Fresco, Laura Morin |
Nov. 12 - 13 | National Science Teacher Association | Adam Gray |
Nov. 12 - 13 | NIAAA Certification | Judi Jennings |
Nov. 13 - 15 | Learning and the Brain, Boston | Noel Schael and Brook Bodie |
Dec. 2015 | CPR | Sejal Vaywala |
Dec. 2015 | Carney Sandoe Diversity Forum | Sejal Vaywala |
Jan. 2016
| Global Connections: Peace Education with Faith Diversity | Patrick Roberts and Manjula Salomon
|
Feb. 2 - 8 | Carnegie Hall Honors Festival | Tim Lester |
Semester 1 | Textbooks | Melissa Baitsell |
2015 - 2016 | Teacher Certification Florida | Laura Kujawa |
Feb. 2016 | Mindfulness Retreat | Brittney McCabe |
April 2016
| National Council of Teachers of Mathematics | Laura Kujawa and Andrea Fresco
|
June 2016 | Harkness Institute | Melissa Beske and Danesh Singh |
- Enhanced procedures for teachers to share what they learn at conferences with their colleagues and greater community.
- Designated time and resources for teachers to design innovative curriculum.
- Established Faculty Forum (lecture series) in which professional dialogue can occur.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2017:
- Established a Faculty Forum (lecture series) in which professional dialogue can occur on a regular basis. Visitors have included Dr. Catherine Steiner Adair (screen addiction expert), Jennifer Pharr Davis (National Geographic Explorer), Dr. Gamarra (FIU), and Harvey Sperling (Belmont University and PTS Board member). Richard Blanco (Poet) will speak in March 2017.
- Continued Professional Development across divisions and disciplines. Faculty and Staff have attended local and national conferences, such as: See Appendix B
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2018:
- Continued to require teachers who have used Professional Development funds to share information and report regularly to their departments and others.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2019:
2018-19 Professional Development |
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Dates | Event | Member | Topic |
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Summer 2018 | NATA (Athletic Training, New Orlenas) | Clint Jones | Therapy |
Oct. 15 | AP Statistic Workshop | Orlando Sarduy | AP Stats |
Sept. 26-29 | NACAC, Salt Lake City | M. Levin, C. Paschick, A. Armato, A. Truby | College Counseling |
Oct. 2018 | AP Workshop | B. Rivera, L. Lane, G. Andrew | AP Training |
Oct. 2018 | MYP Visit, Atlanta Int. School | Katie Sparks and Andrea Fresco | MYP Exploration |
Nov. 2018 | Progressing Ballet Technique | Kristine Rodriguez | Dance |
Nov. 2018 | ISM Conference: Auxiliary Programs | Kristine Rodriguez | Auxiliary |
Nov. 2018 | NAES (Presenter) | Laura Massa | Presenting on Womens Studies |
Nov. 2018 | SHAPE | Judi Jennings | Health |
Nov. 7 | Visit The Benjamin School | D. Crute, B. Diaz, J. Rivera | Visit/Computer Science Program |
Nov. 2018 | POCC | A. Regalado, R. Gonzalez, A. Armato, P. Roberts | Diversity and Inclusivity |
Oct. 1 | Presenter: FCIS | Roselyne Pirson | Intellectual Competency |
Oct. 2018 | PD Day: Self Study Writing | All Faculty and Staff | Self Study Preparation |
Oct. 25 | GEBG Regional Meeting/Training | D. Reynolds, M. Salomon, A. Queen, A. Chapman | Risk Management Training |
Nov. 2018 | FCIS Conference | P. Roberts | Attended Conference |
Nov. 2018 | FCIS Board Meeting | P. Roberts | Member of Board |
Nov. 2018 | ESJ Accreditation | P. Roberts | Co-led Accreditation |
Jan. 25 | Learning Specialist Forum: Country Day Host | K. Lamiell and A. Fresco | Collaboration of Local School Specialists |
January 7
| PD Day: Self Study Writing and Learning from One Another | All Faculty and Staff
| Self Study Preparation; various topics from classroom management to HR |
January 28 | MedStar DC Regional Medical Education | K. Sparkes, presenter: Teaching Methodologies | Teaching Methodologies |
Feb 2019 | Learning and the Brain | Rita Feild | Empathy |
INITIATIVEBroaden our forms of assessment and utilize testing data effectively.
ACTION AS OF MARCH 2016:- Adopted the ACT ASPIRE tests in grades 6-9. The online version allows us to administer three interim tests per year and receive immediate results.
- Provided ongoing training in faculty advisory groups and department meetings for greater understanding of data analysis.
- Met with parent group to encourage a positive mindset toward testing.
- Provided more timely and comprehensive communication to families regarding score reports and shared additional resources.
- Streamlined our tracking of student data for admission tests through final SAT/ACT exams.
- Expanded our testing budget to include the costs of all ASPIRE, PSAT, and AP exams.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2017:
- Appointed two Testing Directors (internal and external testing).
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2018:
- Consolidated testing under one Director.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2019:
- Gathered data for Upper School and Middle School on grade level students to view patterns in semester exams to brainstorm ideas on how to better prepare students for taking exams and enhance their test taking skills.
INITIATIVEResearch online, experiential, and blended-learning opportunities and determine our position on each.
ACTION AS OF MARCH 2016:- Supported faculty members and administrators attending workshops and conferences, as well as visiting different schools around the country. Schools visited this year by administrators and faculty include:
Battle Ground Academy - Franklin, Tennessee
Berkeley Prep - Tampa, Florida
Brimmer and May - Boston, Massachusetts
Campbell Hall - Los Angeles, California
Chadwick School - Los Angeles, California
Christ Episcopal School - Greenville, South Carolina
Emerald Heights School - Indore, India
Florida Prep Academy - Melbourne, Florida
Francis Parker School - San Diego, California
Friends Seminary - New York City, New York
Gulliver Prep - Miami, Florida
Head Royce School - Oakland, California
Marist School - Atlanta, Florida
Montgomery Bell Academy - Nashville, Tennessee
Oyster Bay High School - New Hampshire
Oyster Bay Middle School - New Hampshire
Palmetto Bay Academy - Palmetto Bay, Florida
Ransom Everglades - Miami, Florida
San Francisco Day School - San Francisco, California
St Andrew’s School - Boca Raton, Florida
St. Andrew's Episcopal School - Jackson, Mississippi
St. Philip’s Episcopal School - Coral Gables, Florida
St. Stephen’s Episcopal - Bradenton, Florida
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Day School - Coconut Grove, Florida
St. Thomas Episcopal School - Miami, Florida
Tampa Prep - Tampa, Florida
The Daly College - Indore, India
The McGlannan School - Miami, Florida
Trinity Prep - Winter Park, Florida - Piloted a partner online collaboration independent study course with Chadwick School in Los Angeles, CA, culminating in travel capstone in July 2016.
- Researched the benefits of online/blended learning courses that are not within PTS curriculum.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2017:
- Initiated discussion for creating a “maker space” in the Middle School.
- Began Middle School Honors Seminar on “Immigration in the USA.” Plan to make it an online/blended learning program in the future.
- Initiated conversations regarding distinctive Middle School Pedagogical Experience.
- Introduced process to have specific MS Department Chairs in English, Math, History, and Science.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2018:
- Approved a new “makerspace” classroom in the Fall of 2018. Newly created Innovative Coordinator position to be introduced in the Fall of 2018.
- Continued to offer online, experiential and blended learning opportunities.
- Attended the Future Educational Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando in January 2018.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2019:
- Created three new makerspaces on campus: Innovation Station for MS and The Forge and The Garage for US.
- Hired an Innovation Coordinator to oversee the three makerspaces.
- Repurposed the school garden to incorporate interdisciplinary activities and experiential learning for all sixth-grade students through the Life Science classes.
- Incorporated a hydroponics system to provide experiential learning for all seventh-grade students through Earth Science classes.
- Focused MS Honors Seminar on “Water” for the Spring 2019 semester.
- Piloting Dual Enrollment by partnering with FIU. Two courses have been selected for the Dual Enrollment.
INITIATIVEContinue to implement the most effective technology across the disciplines, and explore methods and opportunities for teaching responsible use.
ACTION AS OF MARCH 2016:- Committed to the on-going imperative development of IT integration into teaching and learning.
- Added more than 20 Techboards in various classrooms.
- Planned future purchases of additional Techboards.
- Supported faculty and administrators attending local and national conferences, updating them on recent trends in how technology is being used for education, such as Miami Device at St. Stephen’s, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Social Media Conference in Miami, FCIS in 2015.
- Educated students about social media with assistance of special guest experts. A speaker worked with students, faculty, staff, and parents in February 2016.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2017:
- Established a protocol that all students who travel do not access a device but experience a new environment through their senses.
- Hosted a guest speaker, Dr. Catherine Steiner Adair, of national renown to address the school community about issues of technology and human relationships.
ACTION AS OF JANUARY 2018:
- Committed to raising awareness in our community about technology by providing outside speakers, and increasing communication through Advisory and Mosaic programs.
- Continued to gather most current information on social media usage and share with students and faculty.
- Included awareness of social media usage in our statement of commitment regarding respectful and responsible digital citizenship.
- Added virtual reality component to enrich the curriculum.