August, 3, 2023
Classes might not have started for students but for Marietta City School District staff, this week the teachers have become the students.
Two training courses were made available to the staff in grades K-6 from Washington, Phillips and Marietta Elementary School. Tuesday was a “PAX Good Behavior Game” training and Wednesday “Bridges in Mathematics” curriculum.
The PAX course is a classroom based preventive intervention aimed at empowering students to develop self-regulation techniques that will help them thrive both in the classroom and their future.
Tim Fleming, Director of Curriculum & Technology, stated that this will be the first PAX training the district has had in several years. “This was a great opportunity for staff who are familiar to reinforce prior trainings and for our newer staff to get familiar with the program.” He added, “With any initiative or curriculum we put in place, it’s vital we are all on the same page in regards to our terminology and expectations because that’s how you can accurately measure results”.
Children who are reinforced with PAX based strategies for at least a year are likely to show improvements in the following areas:
- Paying attention and listening to instructions
- Focusing on the task at hand
- Taking turns and waiting patiently
- Cooperating with peers and adults
- Transitioning from one area to another
- Working as part of a team
- Recognizing and celebrating a job well done for others and themselves
PAX strategies can implemented creatively through the use of games, timers, music and more, so that students stay interested and engaged in the classroom.
Some examples of PAX strategies include:
- Creating a nurturing environment through positive reinforcement of prosocial behaviors
- Empowering students by providing clear expectations and allowing them to have a voice.
More information on PAX can be found here.
The Bridges In Mathematics training on Wednesday lasted from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and also included around seven hours of at home instruction for participants to complete. The curriculum was developed by the Math Learning Center, a non-profit that has been serving the education community since 1976.
“This will be the third year for us using the Bridges in Mathematics program,” shared Fleming. “This training was a refresher course for any teacher who wanted to participate again, but it’s a requirement for all of our new hires.”
This curriculum has been adopted by the district and because of that this particular course will be offered for existing teachers and new hires every summer.
Jennifer Heady, a 3rd Grade Teacher at Marietta Elementary School, mentioned what a great experience the training was. “I appreciate today, it’s been nice getting to know new colleagues in the district and even more wonderful getting to prepare with them for this upcoming school year.”
For families looking for more information, or potential resources, be sure to visit the Math Learning Center Website.