Overview
Garnet Valley School District has created multiple systems and processes to engage teachers. In order to get teachers started on the Student-Centered Design Process, the district developed a cohort model approach for teachers as they start creating their own curriculum. Each cohort consists of about 20-25 teachers, and is split into subgroups of four to five teachers based on subject area. These subgroups meet on a weekly basis to review, collaborate, and build curriculum.
Entry into a four-stage design process depends on two criteria:
- What stage the course is in, in relation to the course development cycle (Instructional Design, Curriculum Design, Resource Design, Course Design)
- What stage the teacher is in, in relation to professional learning and course development
The support provided during this time may include, but is not limited to:
- Virtual teacher coaching with their development partner Global Online Academy coach
- Meeting with an “e-school liaison,” early adopters and teachers who have demonstrated mastery on all the competencies
- An instructional coach leading a session on modeling or reviewing a piece of content created together
Garnet Valley School District is a public school district located in Glen Mills, PA, and serves students in grades K-12. Garnet Valley is recognized as a #GoOpen Launch District, which enabled them to develop a strategy for the implementation of openly licensed educational materials.