Math Professional Learning Empowers Spring ISD Teachers

See how this Texas district goes the extra mile to give its math teachers the resources they need to succeed.

Success Spotlight 3 of 3 in our series celebrating Spring Independent School District. See Part 1, Success Spotlight: Phonisha Hawkins Revitalizes Math Education, and Part 2, Success Spotlight: Teacher Creativity Shines in Texas Middle School Math Classrooms.

Professional learning communities.

Coaching.

Caregiver involvement.

Implementation support.

Each of these is a vital component of professional learning that empowers teachers to facilitate classrooms where deep learning happens—and the middle school math program of Spring Independent School District in Houston, Texas, has found just the right combination to succeed.

Check out the creative and effective ways Spring ISD helps their teachers (and coaches!) feel confident and prepared to help their students. We hope their story inspires you just as much as it inspires us to continue supporting teachers in the crucial jobs that they do.

Math Professional Learning Communities

Teachers work better when they work together, and Spring ISD has taken this to heart by giving their staff a wealth of opportunities to gather in professional learning communities (PLCs). Whether they’re working together to dig into the curriculum or discuss best practices, Spring ISD’s middle school math teachers have some of the best PLCs we’ve seen!

Time to Internalize

Internalization of the math is where good teaching starts. 

That’s why the middle school teachers of Spring ISD began the 2022-23 school year with a bang when they met in early August to work through the math and intentionally plan instruction to ensure that students would have high-quality learning experiences. 

As Phonisha Hawkins, Middle School Math Specialist, tweeted, “Love to see the results of internalization because it yields unmatched instruction for your kids!”

Curriculum Sneak Peeks

Curriculum Sneak Peeks are held throughout the school year to allow teachers time to preview and explore upcoming topics in the Texas Math Solution, and it’s working wonders for their teachers. 

Amber Devasier, 6th grade math teacher, said it all in her reply to Mrs. Hawkins’ tweet: “It was so much fun! It’s amazing that even though I have taught ratios for 5 years, I am still learning something new!”

Math Coaches Support Professional Learning

Spring ISD is lucky to have a group of nine middle school math coaches who are always on hand to support the professional learning and classroom practices of their math teachers. And as with PLCs, coaches’ support takes many forms.

Coaches Collaborative

Math coaches need their own time to gather, plan, and internalize, too, right?

Cue the Coaches Collaboratives, sessions that Mrs. Hawkins organizes throughout the school year. 

In October, they covered topics such as small group instruction, intervention, and assessments.

Coaches also met with Carnegie Learning Managers of School Partnerships, Wil Simpson and Maggie Queen, and Customer Success Manager, Iqra Beg, in November to examine the Texas Education Association Classroom Observation Tool.

And after February’s session, Gifted and Talented Specialist Shontel Newsome tweeted, “My biggest takeaway was how to support productive struggle.”

Coaches in Action

When the Spring ISD middle school math coaches and instructional specialists take their talents on the road, Dueitt Middle School Principal Kimberly Dussette can’t help but exclaim that their teacher moves are magical!

Here, math instructional specialist Alexis Denton models a lesson to re-engage students with a previously taught concept. 

“Love it!” Mrs. Hawkins replied. “Intervention and active monitoring for all students!” 

A special shout-out to the Spring ISD middle school math coaches:

• Heather Hales-Primer (Claughton Middle School)
• Candace Jackson (School for International Studies at Bammel)
• Latasha Whittington (Wells Middle School)
• Curtis Mickens (Springwoods Village Middle School)
• Mary Allen and Chastity Mbachu (Roberson Middle School)
• Sherise Waterman (Spring Leadership Academy)
• Jessica Grice-Gidrey (Twin Creeks Middle School)
• Jasmine Wyatt (Bailey Middle School)
• Alexis Denton (Dueitt Middle School)

Caregivers Try the Math, Too!

Spring ISD has also gone the extra mile to involve parents and caregivers in the math education of their children, a practice that research identifies as crucial to student achievement. 

During these events, called Parent Collaboratives and Cookies and Curriculum (who can say no to a cookie?), caregivers were invited to schools to experience what their children are doing in the classroom. 

They got to try out MATHia (the online math platform that personalizes instruction based on how students learn over time), check out STAAR practice questions, and even participate in collaborative learning activities.

Professional Learning Support

The best leaders seek opportunities for continuous improvement, and sometimes getting support from a professional learning team outside your own district can bring a fresh perspective and new skills to the table.

So whether Manager of School Partnerships Wil Simpson gets to spend a Saturday afternoon digging into math over some yummy Italian food, or Manager of School Partnerships Koko Sims starts the new year with planning for small group instruction, we’re always honored to support Spring ISD staff.

Celebrating Success

We’ve had a blast shining the spotlight on Spring ISD’s implementation of the middle school Texas Math Solution throughout this series. The passion that Spring ISD’s teachers and administration bring to math education is unmatched, and it’s our honor to support their endeavors.

Be sure to check out Spring ISD's other Success Spotlights—maybe you’ll find some inspiration for math program implementation in your district!