"It seems simple—but people stay more engaged in a space where they are enjoying each other, feel celebrated and appreciated. Small, personal celebrations help fuel groups through the hard work, reminding them that they are humans together, regardless of the external pressures they face."
–adrienne maree brown, Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation
This month, we are uplifting happy news from MTEP networked improvement communities and programs. Join us in celebrating the Mississippi State MTEP NIC's small successes!
Mississippi uses mini-grant funds to host Building Thinking Classrooms professional development
Liza Bondurant, Mississippi State MTEP co-leader and Mississippi State University associate professor of secondary mathematics education, is receiving mini-grant funds from MTEP to cover books, flip charts, stipends and continuing educational units, or CEUs, for eight middle school math teachers and administrators, and nine MSU secondary education students. Bondurant is leading the group to read, discuss and implement practices from Building Thinking Classrooms which offers 14 teaching practices to enhance learning and engagement.
"The book club is helping build relationships and a shared vision with the teachers at the Partnership Middle School (PMS), the lab school that serves all sixth and seventh-grade students in the district on the MSU campus," said Bondurant.
The book club is supported by an MTEP NIC Support Mini-Grant—learn more about how to apply for a mini-grant to support your team's efforts.
Mississippi MTEP member earns teacher of the year
Ashley Dauzat, Mississippi State MTEP team member, was selected Mississippi Middle School Math Teacher of the Year at the Mississippi Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference. She will also be teaching a course for Mississippi State University interns on evaluation, a step in the right direction of fostering symbiotic partnerships. Congratulations, Ashley!
In the March MTEP Transformers newsletter, we will share a call for more small successes to highlight in April. You are also welcome to share your team's successes at any time to be included in the next upcoming "Celebrating Our Small Successes" feature.