Foxborough Teachers Use Summer to Enhance Curriculum, Create Learning Opportunities

In the words of John Cotton Dana, “Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”

With the dwindling days of summer, many may think Foxborough teachers are just now preparing for their new students for the new school year. However, you may be surprised to learn that many of them were busy writing curriculum, working on curriculum projects or being students themselves over the summer break. Summer brings a time for a different pace, but also provides a time for professional learning each year.

The “Teaching and Learning Highlight” at Monday night’s School Committee focused on teachers, their learning and the work they completed in order to welcome students back for the 2012-13 school year. 

Many of Foxborough’s teachers participated in district sponsored summer curriculum projects, which involved developing and revising curriculum and creating new learning opportunities for students. These projects spanned all grade levels and content areas.

Much of the work involved revising Foxborough’s curriculum to ensure teachers are prepared for the curriculum and instructional shifts required by the new Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. The goal of the new standards are to support students as they prepare to go to college or enter the workforce, provide a clear understanding of expectations to parents, teachers and students and ensure students are competitive in the emerging global marketplace. 

Other curriculum projects included the development of a new health curriculum for grade nine and 10 students at Foxborough High School as well as work associated with the New Educator Evaluation System, which will be implemented in September.

In addition to the curriculum development and revisions taking place over the summer, many teachers were engaged in graduate level courses, institutes and workshops for their own professional growth.

Two graduate level courses in the area of reading and writing and a math course were offered onsite in Foxborough.  Teachers and administrators participated in institutes such as the Massachusetts New Literacies Institute, sponsored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as a myriad of other workshops, many of which Foxborough teachers not only attended, but presented.

Foxborough teachers are great testament to never stop learning.