Teachers are the most important factor in student success.
Research shows that effective teachers are the most important factor contributing to student achievement. Although curricula, reduced class size, district funding, family and community involvement all contribute to school improvement and student achievement, the most influential factor is the teacher. (1)
Bay Area LEEDS’ Summer STEM Series offers an excellent opportunity for teachers to learn more about key industry sectors as well as career opportunities available in our region. It is one of the many high-quality teacher professional development opportunities available in the East Bay. There will be a modest stipend provided which may include up to $2,000 per week.
Click here to register for 2022 Summer teaching opportunities.
Bay Area LEEDS teacher professional development efforts offer enrichment opportunities that help educators explore theory and practice in a variety of experiences that blend interaction with professionals in emerging technology fields, as well as lectures, hands-on activities, industry panels, team projects, and field trips. Enrichment also includes exposure to the work readiness competencies industry has identified as key to student success in the workplace. All of the professional development is designed to increase awareness in STEM-related disciplines focused on real people doing real things in the local economy.
Through six weeks over summer, Bay Area LEEDS offers teacher learning labs where new curriculum is delivered while practicing techniques on small cohorts of high school students assigned to each teacher during 40-hour ‘camps.’ Both teachers and students are learning. Then, throughout the school year, teachers continue career pathway dialogue with colleagues, higher education and industry to reinforce the concepts learned during the summer months. This also helps to develop stronger and more sustainable working relationships which increase opportunities for their students to engage in work-based and project-based learning.
Throughout the year, Bay Area LEEDS provides multiple opportunities for teachers to have enriching conversations with each other about curriculum and classroom instruction; provides industry training to improve teacher expertise; connects teachers to industry partners to strengthen relationships with pathways, schools and students; and supports teachers as they develop and enrich learning opportunities for their students during the school year and beyond.
Over 200 educators are engaged in the high-quality opportunities Bay Area LEEDS provides each year.
Tri-Valley Opportunities
Bay Area LEEDS was awarded a multi-year grant by Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Program (TVROP) to expand the number of business partners in high-priority sectors that support Work Experience Education programs, provide Work-Based Learning opportunities, and mentor staff and students in Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore. This work commences in 2022 and runs through 2024.
The Strong Workforce Program grant will allow Bay Area LEEDS to create, plan and implement four high school summer camps including Drone Coding & Flight; Girls Who Design & Construct; Robotics & Manufacturing; and Food Innovation in Culinary Arts. It also allows the organization to provide one-day and over-the-summer teacher externships in industry strengthening Career Technical classrooms.
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(1) Educational Research Newsletter and Webinars