What is PowerTeaching in Math?

Pennsylvania PowerTeaching in Math is an instructional framework designed to energize mathematics instruction throughout the Commonwealth, in partnership with the Success for All Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Education and led by Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12.

Pennsylvania elementary schools have made significant strides in mathematics across recent years. As stated in No Child Left Behind, we still have a path to travel to bring Pennsylvania to national and international standards. During the course of a school year, PowerTeaching offers professional development that will provide mathematics teachers with the tools necessary to deliver rich, powerful lessons by connecting core math resources, Pennsylvania's Standards-Aligned System in Math, and PA Big Ideas in Math to cooperative learning techniques that have effectively improved student achievement during the last thirty years.

PowerTeaching is designed to incorporate any core math resource with the PA Standard-Aligned System in Math and align its content to the Cycle of Effective Instruction. This cycle is supported by structured cooperative learning and minute-by-minute assessment to assist students in the mastery of mathematical concepts and competencies and that make big picture connections.

Who should participate?

What is involved in participating in the PowerTeaching?

Throughout the course of PowerTeaching, educators will receive materials, including two DVDs, to assist in the implementation of PowerTeaching in their classrooms. Teachers who take part in the PowerTeaching series will:

• participate in the initial two-day workshop and four subsequent one-day workshops;
• use the instructional guidelines and materials in their classrooms;
• work onsite with colleagues to plan lessons and monitor and analyze student data to determine the effectiveness of PowerTeaching; 
• complete classroom-based interim assignments between workshops; and
• prepare their classroom samples and data results to share at the next workshop.

During each workshop, participants will collaborate with colleagues from around the state to plan and conduct lesson studies to support the continual instructional improvement.  

What resources, materials, and training will participants receive at no cost?

• Professional development delivered by national presenters 
•  Instructional DVDs for both the teacher and students that model various classroom strategies
• PowerTeaching Teacher Guides

Participating Teachers:

• Attend and participate in the initial two-day workshop and four subsequent one-day workshops
• Incorporate the Cycle of Effective Instruction and PA Big Ideas with basal math resources in the classrooms
• Work on-site with other included colleagues to monitor and analyze student data
• Work on-site with colleagues and others throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to make necessary instructional adjustments to basal math resources in order to utilize the PowerTeaching lesson cycle
• Complete all interim assignments between workshops
• Prepare classroom samples and data results to share at the following workshop

Act 48 will be offered for the PowerTeaching Series with extra hours earned for completion of all outside assignments

District Building Administrator:

Participate in the series session designated for administrator

• Support teachers by participating in walk-throughs and providing feedback based on a series of observation tools

Intermediate Unit Contact:

• Attend all workshops with district participants
• Observe and assist classroom implementation of the PowerTeaching framework
• Attend on-site teacher planning meetings with district participants
• Provide follow up at the building level

How do schools/districts find out more information about PowerTeaching in Math?

For more information related to this training series, contact Rachal Edwards at Success for All Foundation
 at 800-548-4998 ext. 2354, REdwards@successforall.org or contact Rina Iati, Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12,  criati@iu12.org or (717) 624-6433