TEA Collaborative Learning Group
Team Meetings

Demello
2001

Back to Login Page
Date: October 3, 2001
Duration: 5.5 hours
Location: Boston - Museum of Science
Parcticipants: Mary Ann DeMello, Sue Rice, Mara Carey, Melinda Learning

Goal(s) of Meeting
1. For team members to become more familiar with one another. 2. To view the IMAX film "The Shackleton Adventure". 3. To visit the museum gift shop for polar resources. 4. For M.A. DeMello to provide an overview of TEA and share experiences from orientation.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
A very enjoyable first session. Teachers introduced themselves to one another, provided background information, and expressed their feelings about involvement in the program. I'm excited about the TEA members and think we wil be a very productive team that will have a great deal of fun working together.

Each mentee received a binder containing some mentoring guidelines, a copy of my mentor plan and transfer plan, an Antarctic sticker, and an Antaractic dollar bill. Team members will review the binder contents and become familiar with the TEA website.

Resource used: IMAX film "The Shackleton Adventure".

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
Everyone learned about one of the most famous Antarctic explorers. We also learned more about one another, which is certainly important in building collegiality and a sense of cooperation.

Additional reflections:
The backdrop of the city led us to discussions of exposing students to a variety of experiences. We enjoyed a lovely dinner together learning about our teaching methodologies, philosophies, and professional experiences. This was a terrific forum for building a team relationship.

Goal(s) of Meeting
1. To set a schedule of meeting times for the months of Jan-May 2002. 2. To answer any questions generated from review of the binder (provided at our first meeting) or from visiting the TEA website. 3. To share ideas of ways to increase the Polar Learning Community and to discuss some of our goals.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
1. Announced awarding of Rockland Education Foundation Grant for $2000.00 to provide each building with a resource kit known as a TEA Bag. 2. Discussed ideas to incorporate polar information into the Arts and Technology Festival. 3. Developed a list of high school teachers who have expressed an interest in becoming more involved.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
1. One of our upcoming meetings will be a workshop format where mentees will learn to use powerpoint for class use andpresentations. 2. I invited mentees to join me for a Web Design class. (None able to attend at this time) 3. Discussed ideas for ways to make the TEA experience more interdisciplinary. 4. Some discussion of the importance of teaching lessons that make real world connections.

Additional reflections:

Goal(s) of Meeting
1. To view and evaluate a powerpoint presentation prior to a presentation to the local Chamber of Commerce. 2. To introduce the mentees to more information about polar studies. 3. To receive an update of progress at the high school and middle school.

Overview of Session (e.g., resources used, discussion points, next steps, etc.):
1. Powerpoint program was viewed and some changes were made. We discussed the target audience, content, etc. 2. Eight high school teachers have displayed an interest in becoming more involved in the Polar Learning Community.

How did your team address pedagogy, content, the process of science, and the use of technology during the session?
One goal of the team is for all members to become more proficient in technology. They learned some of the ways to present using Powerpoint.

Both mentees felt they learned many new facts during the meeting.

Additional reflections:
We are very pleased at the response from the high school teachers and have set up a meeting for next week to discuss posibilities.