New Steam Masters of Education Program at William Paterson begins!

The first semester of the all new STEAM Masters of Education Program: (MEd in Curriculum and Learning: STEAM Concentration)

has begun in the WP College of Education! 

“Research shows that arts integration in elementary and middle school STEM coursework can bolster student engagement and learning,” says Amy Ginsberg, dean of William Paterson University’s College of Education.

Here is a link from WP:

https://www.wpunj.edu/articles/news/2019-09-09/william-paterson-university-masters-education-curriculum-steam/

As we mentioned earlier this year this Masters program has been partly informed by the Dodge Grant Arts Integration Grant in the Paterson Public Schools over the past 7 years. It may appeal to some of the numerous Paterson teachers involved with this grant. Many thanks to all the Paterson teachers, staff, administrators, WPU PIRS, WPU Professors and Administrators who have contributed much to this growing movement of successful arts integration curriculum in the urban, public school settings.

The new concentration is geared toward previously certified K-8 teachers, aiming to enhance their competence and confidence to adequately teach and guide STEM subjects for all learners, according to Professor Heejung An, Director of the Master of Education in Curriculum and Learning. 

The 33-credit program, which can be completed in 24 months, employs project-based learning, an inquiry-based research study, and leadership development courses so that candidates are prepared to meet the evolving needs of schools and districts in positions as STEAM teachers or coordinators, instructional leaders, or curriculum developers.

For more information: contact Dr Heejung An, anh2@wpunj.edu

Welcome Back to School!

Welcome back to School for the 2019/2020 school year!

This year promises to be an exciting STEAM year in the Paterson Public Schools.  With the support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Arts Integration Grant, the theme of "Diversity" will play a major role in our STEAM curriculum development in the funded Paterson Public schools. 

At Don Bosco Technical Academy a Diversity Quilt Project was launched in March of 2019 on a Paterson Professional. Development Day.  
DB Teachers attended two workshops: a Behavioral Management one given by WPU PIR Robin O'Brien, and an Arts Integration Workshop given by WPU Art PIR Triada Samaras, Art Teacher Patti Kaminski, and Science Teacher Jennifer Post. This second workshop featured the seeds for a Don Bosco "Diversity Day" featuring, in part, the idea for a collaborative 6th grade quilt.

Above:  Diversity Quilt created by 6th grade Don Bosco students

In the professional development workshop, DB teachers learned to create diversity squares by developing their own squares illustrating their many diverse preferences, hobbies, ethnicities, languages, etc. They used colored pencils and markers on pre-cut white paper. In June the teachers taught this same lesson to their students in all subject areas.  The resulting squares depict the wide diversity at Don Bosco in terms of culture, race, aesthetic preferences, hobbies, languages, sports choices, favorite items, and more.  
(See below).