FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 31, 2006
Contact: Sarah Sumners, CHAMPS II Project Manager
MUW Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning
(662) 241-6088

CHAMPS II provides professional growth for Mississippi teachers
  
COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Forty fifth through eighth grade mathematics and science teachers from 12 surrounding school districts recently attended the CHAMPS II (Creating High Achievement in Mathematics, Problem-Solving, and Science) Teacher Professional Development Institute at Mississippi University for Women’s Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning.
   
CHAMPS II is funded through a Mississippi Department of Education Mathematics and Science Partnership grant. The grant includes a research and evaluation component and benefits the teachers in the areas of increased content knowledge base and extension of pedagogical practices and instructional strategies used to support students’ learning needs.
   
The two-week institute was held on the campuses of MUW and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. Participants were divided into three content sections including integrated mathematics and science for elementary teachers, mathematics for middle school teachers and science for middle school teachers. Other sessions focused on developing the teacher as a leader in their classroom, school and district.
   
Faculty for the two-week institute included Claudia Carter, Dr. Nancy MacNeill, Bobby Jarrell, Dr. Mary Davidson and Rachel Milstead. These instructors guided the teachers through many interesting and informative sessions to increase their content knowledge and provide engaging teaching strategies needed to effectively cover the state’s objectives and benchmarks for mathematics and science.
   
Further CHAMPS II programs will include four Super Saturday mini-workshops covering topics such as grant writing, writing for publication, outdoor learning activities and further mathematics and science content knowledge. CHAMPS II participants also will be given the opportunity to attend state and regional mathematics and science conferences to continue to increase their content knowledge and enhance their professional development experience.