Pinecrest Academy South Charter School
AdvancED STEM Certification
Indicator 1.9
Self-Assessment Rating: 4
At Pinecrest Academy South, opportunities are facilitated for all educators to grow and remain current on practices in STEM education through professional learning. Project-based learning, technology and STEM instruction have been the focus of our in-house professional development. PAC has hosted professional development trainings on campus as well as provide teachers the opportunity to seek training through district offerings. Utilizing the My Learning Plan platform setup by the District’s web-based application, teachers are able to enroll in professional development opportunities offered through Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Our administrators often send emails to teachers suggesting specific attendance in workshops that are showcased on the Weekly Briefings sent to principals from the District.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Teachers at PAC have an opportunity to attend sessions offered to all teachers within Pinecrest Academy Inc. One example of this occurred September 19, 2018 which was held at Pinecrest Preparatory Middle-High (PPMH). Sessions were aligned for educators in all subject areas from grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth. Pinecrest Academy South STEM leaders and administrators had a chance to present their STEM best practices. We have also presented at various Miami-Dade County Charter Schools Principal’s meetings to assist charter school leaders in the startup development of a STEM program. PAC will continue to seek new opportunities for professional development for its teachers in order to continue encouraging and supporting students’ interests in STEM fields.
We have been fortunate to have partnered with the Everglades Foundation. They have provided professional development for all of our educators specifically geared toward Everglades’s literacy. They provided us hands-on lessons and materials to educate our students on the habitats and animals of the Everglades and its conservation. This relationship has been consistent for two years.
Our teachers had the opportunity to recreate the water sources surrounding the Florida Everglades and the effects on humans and animals.
PAC teachers presenting at the Pinecrest Inc. Professional Development Day.
PAC teachers using lab tools cooperatively.
Below is the Mission and Schedule for Pinecrest Inc. Professional Development Day at PPMH.
Below is the Professional Development Metrics required by the STEM School Designation office. It displays the teacher and the professional development they attended in the 2017-2018 school year.