UCS teachers impact classrooms across the country

From their classrooms two Utica Community Schools teachers are impacting education in schools across the country.

Cassandra Joss of Burr Elementary and Annette Christiansen of Stevenson High School, are among 60 national educators named an NEA Master Educator and invited to post lessons plans on a national data base.

The NEA Great Public Schools (GPS) Network is an online community where teachers, parents, education support professionals, and other community stakeholders can share ideas and resources aimed at improving student success.

Currently, the Network consists of more than 120 groups, managed by facilitators like Joss and Christiansen, where participants can join to address common interests in specific topics and issues that impact educator and student success.

Topics are diverse, ranging from bullying to state learning standards, from teacher evaluation to teaching English language learners.

The NEA GPS Network was created to bring together people who want to collaborate on education- and student-centered issues and topics. It is open to participation to anyone interested in improving schools and promoting student success. Basic components include collaboration tools, virtual events on topics of high interest, and a resource bank of lesson plans and professional learning topics.