We continue to gain inspiration and insight from our teammates around Aspire as we highlight regional practices and successes. From December's Regional Highlight video featuring literacy in the Bay Area to January's Memphis Regional Highlight video focused on practicing and mastering content before teaching, I love sharing with you some of the incredible work happening in our schools.  
 
This month's Regional Highlight video features the Central Valley team and their work as early implementers of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). As we move from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math), we are equipping our students with the skills, understanding, and mindset necessary to be successful learners in the 21st century.  
 
When I think back on my experience as a student, and even my experience as a math teacher, I am struck by how far we have come in pushing our students to construct their own experiments and build a robust understanding of STEAM concepts. The hands-on approach that integrates STEAM across subjects leads to our students deepening their understanding of STEAM not in isolation, but across all their learning. As teammate Keegen Gillette, Aspire Rosa Parks Academy's fabulous K-5 Science teacher, observes, NGSS puts students in control of their learning. Our students see themselves not just as "thinking like" scientists and engineers, but as already being scientists and engineers. I can't wait to see what their futures hold!

A big shout out to Central Valley Area Superintendent Lane Weiss and the entire Aspire Central Valley team for sharing your work!

Best,

Carolyn Hack
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
1001 22nd Avenue | Oakland, CA 94606
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