Hundreds of educators converged on Permian High School Wednesday for the elementary installment of Teacher University.
Director of Talent Development Debbie Bynum said between 800 and 1,000 elementary teachers were expected Wednesday and the same number for high school Teacher University Aug. 8, also at PHS.
“Our sessions this year are continuing to focus on our areas where we’ve been focusing. We have a new science textbook starting this year, so we’re getting training on using those new science materials. It’s just continuing to support the different work streams that we’ve been using over the last couple of years, as we’re continuing to grow that. There’s additional digital learning. How does AI fit into the classroom? Looking at things like phonic construction, just continuing to build our teacher skill sets,” Bynum said.
She added that the digital learning component is always evolving.
“Our digital learning specialists are always working to bring us the newest information that we need so that we stay current and abreast and do so in a way that we keep our kids safe,” Bynum said.
Sixth grade through 12th grade teachers will be learning the same types of things Aug. 8.
The fine arts, PE/health teachers are at Odessa High School for their Teacher University.
Permian teachers were also at school for campus training, Bynum said.
“So far, it seems to be going well. I’ve gotten a little bit of feedback from our first sessions that started this morning, and teachers seem to be excited about what’s there (and) the courses that are being offered. Some of the sessions are already predicted to be beyond full, so that’s always a good sign,” Bynum said.
Felicia Burdorf, who works in Advanced Academic Services, was a facilitator handing out information and answering questions.
Having started off with National Math and Science Initiative Training, teachers already have some professional development under their belts.
“We went back a little bit early for the training, and we helped teachers with strategies and different ways to help facilitate and differentiation. I think so far, even though we’ve just started up, it’s been eventful because we’ve had those trainings and then the new teacher orientation as well. We got to meet the new teachers coming into our district and kind of just show them everything that we had to offer. So, so far so good,” Burdorf said.
