As the nation's eleventh largest school district, Dallas Independent School District serves more than 160,000 students who come from homes where 58 different languages are spoken. Operating with a $1 billion dollar budget, DISD employs 18,613 employees including 10,000 teachers in 220 schools.
8 Jun 2001
DISD Teachers To Participate in Math Training Institute at North Dallas High School June 11-15
More than 40 Dallas Independent School District high school mathematics teachers will participate in a unique professional development program at North Dallas High School June 11-15 to learn new and innovative ways to enliven the classroom and invigorate curriculum. The school is located at 3120 North Haskell Ave.
This unique summer program for teachers is organized by Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH, one of the nation's top prep schools. The teacher-participants will learn innovative ways to teach mathematics by means of hands-on activities and lessons. These lessons incorporate the use of diverse tools, to include the graphing calculator, that teachers in turn can bring back to their own classrooms in the fall. The EMI program is funded through a private grant and is offered free of charge to all participants. Participating DISD teachers will receive a stipend, plus classroom resources.
"Teachers will strengthen and expand their knowledge of algebra through precalculus effectively using the graphing calculator in their teaching. This institute encourages student discovery and cooperative learning," says Queen E. Henderson, coordinator—Urban Systemic Program for the DISD. "Our teachers have participated in this program in the past and response has been excellent."
The instruction in the EMI program is based on the Harkness method of teaching originated at Exeter in 1931 and still practiced today. It is a discussion-based, collaborative learning experience in which students learn to think independently, rather than follow the lecture model used in most high schools.
"In the 21st Century, math isn't about memorization and rote," says Eric Bergofsky, a math instructor at Phillips Exeter Academy and founder of the EMI program. "What we strongly believe, and try to convey, is that math is about critical thinking and problem solving. If you arm the kids with the tools they need, they'll remember it long after they've forgotten the quadratic formula."
Four mathematics instructors from Exeter will conduct classes in Dallas, with a curriculum focusing on algebra and geometry.