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Virginia

Local Teachers, Students to Participate in Science Education Program (WYDaily.com) 
Six Williamsburg-James City County and York County teachers are participating in the Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement, a yearlong program that began with a four-week training institute at the College of William and Mary earlier this month. VISTA is funded by a $34 million U.S. Department of Education grant, with a $5.7 million private sector grant match, to change science education in schools across the state. 

Local Teachers, Students to Participate in Science Education Program

July 15, 2013 By WYDaily Staff

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

Six Williamsburg-James City County and York County teachers are participating in the Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement, a yearlong program that began with a four-week training institute at the College of William and Mary earlier this month.

Karen Marrow and Simone Belden from J. B. Blayton Elementary, Scott Bowser and Shandra Dunn from Berkeley Middle School, Julie Durrant and Debra Kosloski from Lois Hornsby Middle School, and Carey Phillips and Regina Zimmerman from Magruder Elementary School will participate in the program.

VISTA is funded by a $34 million U.S. Department of Education grant, with a $5.7 million private sector grant match, to change science education in schools across the state. Some of the VISTA objectives include increasing science education, including for students with special needs and limited English proficiency, increasing inquiry-based teaching to enhance learning and increasing rural teachers’ access to professional development.

As part of the institute, students from Clara Byrd Baker, Matthew Whaley, James River, Waller Mill and Magruder Elementary Schools will attend a free two-week camp that began last week. This camp gives teachers the opportunity to practice what they’ve been learning.

Participating teachers receive a $5,000 stipend and $1,000 in teaching resources, which includes web content and science materials. A master teacher is assigned to coach the teachers throughout the school year and they receive an all expense-paid trip to the Virginia Association of Science Teachers professional Development in the fall.

For more information about VISTA, visit the program’s website.