Begin with the teaching talent you already have and cultivate it. Teachers need to be equipped with the tools to keep up with new knowledge, the latest technology, and the best pedagogy. Develop a culture in your district that encourages continuous professional development. Make sure teachers have opportunities to attend conferences and workshops where they can share ideas with one another. Partnerships with higher education can give teachers access to courses in their subject area and the advice of experts. Even local business can help teachers understand better the commercial applications of their material, which can then be passed on to students. Consider, also, offering SMT resources to teachers of other subjects in the interests of fostering a more integrated curriculum.

An experienced staff, if given the opportunity and encouragement, will want to be taught new tricks. In this rapidly-changing world, they will need to, and their school board should take the lead in helping them.

• Why is teacher training so important?
• What does professional development for SMT teachers generally look like?
• What influence can professional development have on how SMT education is taught in our district?
• What kinds of professional development opportunities are available for SMT teachers?
• What professional development resources are available online?
• How have other districts addressed professional development for SMT teachers?

 
Why is training teachers so important?

• An editorial in Science magazine addresses the lack of adequate education and training among many STEM teachers and is summarized in this abstract. The article argues that college professors, scientists and other science professionals must take a more active role in both encouraging and preparing students to teach science and supporting them once they begin to do so.

What does professional development for SMT teachers generally look like?

• Rita Barger discusses several approaches to professional development for math teachers. [VIDEO]
• Joan Abdallah discusses the recommendations for professional development from the American Imperative report.[VIDEO]

What influence can professional development have on how SMT education is taught in our district?

• The American Imperative Report: An action plan addressing the critical shortage of high quality mathematics and science teachers.
  

What kinds of professional development opportunities are available for SMT teachers?

Science

• Professional development opportunities for science teachers through the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).
• Fellowship opportunities for new science teachers from NSTA.
• In January 2010 President Obama announced the expansion of the "Education to Innovate" public-private partnership to enhance teacher training in both science and mathematics.

Mathematics

• Professional development for mathematics teachers from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Technology

• Professional development for technology teachers from the International Technology Education Association.

Other

• Training in the use of the Atlas of Science Literacy from AAAS's Project 2061.

 
What professional development resources are available online?

• Online resources from the National Science Teachers Association.
• The American Museum of Natural History offers Seminars on Science, an online professional development program.
• Annenberg Media’s links to online professional development programs in science
• Annenberg Media's links to online professional development programs in mathematics.

• AAAS and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) provide a free “Intro to the Atlas of Science Literacy” web seminar. The Atlas of Science Literacy provides maps of SMT topics that help educators envision how students’ understanding will progress over the course of their education.

• Edgar Hatrick, Superintendent of the Loudoun County, VA school district discusses the teacher training associated with their development of a new middle school science curriculum. [VIDEO]
• An Arizona district is using Federal Stimulus funds to offer professional development workshops for teachers led by staff from Arizona State University.