Author Conducts Teacher Workshop Here
The author of the nationally recognized ”Picture-Perfect Science” book series — Emily Morgan of Cincinnati, Ohio — conducted a two-day workshop at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith that attracted more than 100 educators from public schools and universities from around the state.The workshop was presented through the Arkansas Department of Education and hosted by the Institute for Math and Science Education at UA Fort Smith, which is headed by Darlynn Cast of Sallisaw.
“Emily Morgan feels that tapping into students’ fascination with science will give them the motivation to read about it,” said Cast. “She believes that every teacher is a reading teacher and enjoys writing lessons that use engaging picture books and integrate reading strategies. We were so fortunate to have had her here for this workshop.”
Morgan is now a full-time consultant for Picture-Perfect Science LLC, where she facilitates elementary science workshops for teachers nationwide. In addition to the “Picture-Perfect Science Lessons,” she is also author of “More Picture-Perfect Science Lessons,” published by NSTA Press of the National Science Teachers Association.
Cast said the Institute for Math and Science Education used the Picture-Perfect series as the curriculum to write a grant for elementary science teachers, called Teaching Engaging Science through Language Arts (TESLA). The $46,000 grant is supported by an ADHE Title II-A grant provided by the No Child Left Behind program from the U.S. Department of Education.
Directing the TESLA grant at UA Fort Smith are Cast, along with grant instructors Dr. Carl Gilbert of Alma, UA Fort Smith biology chair; Dr. Glinda Hall of Jonesboro, assistant professor of English at UA Fort Smith; and Leslie Brodie of Van Buren, science instructional facilitator at the Institute for Math and Science Education. Twenty area teachers participated in the year-long professional development.
“TESLA provides teachers with the tools they need to incorporate research-based language arts instruction strategies into their science curriculum,” said Cast.
Participants in the workshop included teachers and science coaches from three area school districts, state science and literacy instruction facilitators from 14 educational cooperatives, and state science instructional facilitators from 10 university STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) centers.
Attendees were:
Alma: Carl Gilbert, biology chair, UA Fort Smith; Roberta Parks, math instructional facilitator, UA Fort Smith; and Teresa Spain, teacher in Alma.
Arkadelphia: Robin Phelan, literacy instructional facilitator, Dawson Education Cooperative; and Sherry Smith, science instructional facilitator, Dawson Education Cooperative.
Bay: Kristi Wilson, literacy instructional facilitator, Crowley’s Ridge Education Service Cooperative.
Beebe: Greg Moore, literacy instructional facilitator, Wilbur Mills Education Service Cooperative; and Nannette Nichols, science instructional facilitator, Wilbur Mills Education Service Cooperative.
Benton: Keith Harris, science instructional facilitator, University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Branch: Taunya Parsons, math instructional facilitator, Western Arkansas Education Service Cooperative.
Brinkley: Mary Meacham, science instructional facilitator, Rivers Education Service Cooperative.
Camden: Debbie Fleming, literacy instructional facilitator, South Central Service Cooperative.
Central City: Valerie Hill, teacher in Fort Smith.
Charleston: Wendi Curtis, literacy instructional facilitator, Fort Smith Schools; and Liz Sidwell, literacy instructional facilitator, Western Arkansas Education Service Cooperative.
Clinton: Carol Massey, literacy instructional facilitator, Arkansas Department of Education.
Conway: Teresa Parish, literacy instructional facilitator, Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative; and Minnietta Ready, science instructional facilitator, University of Central Arkansas.
Fayetteville: Jenny Gammill, 21st Century Coordinator, Fayetteville Public Schools; Jacob Hayward, science instructional facilitator, Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative; Lesley Merritt, science instructional facilitator, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville; Susan Richmond, literacy instructional facilitator, Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative; and Rebecca Wilbern, teacher in Fayetteville.
Forrest City: Vicki Smith, literacy instructional facilitator, Great Rivers Education Service Cooperative.
Fort Smith: Robyn Bates, Connie Copley, Amanda Dickinson, Tracy Floyd, Karen Hitt, Kelley Jackson, Donna Morse, Marla Needham, Natasha Shoate, Cindy Shry, Shari Stevenson and Sharla Zglombicki, teachers in Fort Smith; Mike Benoit, science instructional facilitator in Fort Smith; Tammy Chase, Krya Frederick, Pattye Goodman and Rae Ann Henson, literacy instructional facilitators in Fort Smith; Sue Combs, elementary science coordinator, Fort Smith Schools; Sherri Penix, principal, Euper Lane; and Mary Ann Johns, director, elementary education.
Gillham: Lisa Anderson, science instructional facilitator, DeQueen and Mena.
Greenwood: Theresa Asbill, Laurie Baldridge and Elizabeth Parker, teachers in Fort Smith; and Carrie Curtis and Angela Veatch, literacy instructional facilitators, Fort Smith Schools.
Harrisburg: Tammy Winslow, science instructional facilitators, Crowley’s Ridge Education Service Cooperative.
Harrison: Amy Young, literacy instructional facilitators, Ozark United Resources Education Service Cooperative.
Hope: Lynne Cooley, literacy instructional facilitator, Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative.
Hoxie: Debbie Rogers, science instructional facilitator, Arkansas State University-Rural.
Humphrey: Denise Houghton, literacy instructional facilitator, Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative.
Jonesboro: Wallece Brewer, math instructional facilitator at Arkansas State University; Glinda Hall, English professor at UA Fort Smith; and Linda Kellim, science instructional facilitator, Arkansas State University-Delta.
Knoxville: Jackie Roberts, literacy instructional facilitator, Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative.
Lavaca: Jennifer Hampton, literacy instructional facilitator, Western Arkansas Education Service Cooperative.
Little Rock: Patsy Conner, literacy instructional facilitator, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Stephanie Copes and Pearce Peacock, literacy instructional facilitators, Arkansas Department of Education; and Pauline Moley, professor, UALR.
Marked Tree: Ruth Ross, literacy instructional facilitator, Crowley’s Ridge Education Service Cooperative.
Monticello: Thea Capps, literacy instructional facilitator at Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative; Lori Cingolani, science instructional facilitator at Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative; and Gina Richard, science instructional facilitator, University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Mountainburg: Deanna Meadors, teacher in Alma.
Mulberry: Patricia Carson, literacy instructional facilitator at Western Arkansas Education Service Cooperative.
Nashville: Annette Brown, science instructional facilitator at Henderson State University.
North Little Rock: Kathy Mascuilli, literacy instructional facilitator with Arkansas Department of Education.
Ozark: Cathy Jones, math instructional facilitator at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Paris: Curtis Varnell, science instructional facilitator, Western Arkansas Education Service Cooperative.
Pine Bluff: Glenda Jackson, science instructional facilitator, Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative; and Stanley Paul, Arkansas Department of Education math program adviser.
Plumerville: Madelon Cheatham, science instructional facilitator at Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative; and Nina Magie and Tanya Newton, literacy instructional facilitators, Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative.
Pocahontas: Chris Lynch, science instructional facilitator, Northeast Arkansas Education Cooperative.
Prairie Grove: Cheryl Gall, literacy instructional facilitators, Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative.
Searcy: Amy Adair, science instructional facilitator at Harding University.
Sulphur Rock: Gayle Ross, science instructional facilitator, North Central Education Cooperative.
Tuckerman: Sharon Gates, literacy instructional facilitator, Northeast Arkansas Education Cooperative.
Van Buren: Leslie Brodie, science instructional facilitator at UA Fort Smith; Stephen Brodie, Arkansas Department of Education science program manager; Cortreia Dupriest and Amy Mulhern, teachers, Fort Smith Schools; and Tracy Gilmore, literacy coordinator, Fort Smith.
Walnut Ridge: Allyson Maxwell, literacy instructional facilitator, Northeast Arkansas Education Cooperative.
West Memphis: Beckie Naylor, literacy instructional facilitator, Arkansas Department of Education
