Schools tapped for 21st Century Learning Project

Yearlong initiative aims to accelerate improvement

MONTGOMERY –– The Alabama Best Practices Center has selected 20 new schools to join the 21st Century Learning Project, an intensive professional development program to help improve teaching and learning for the “Net Generation.”

Teachers will learn to use tools and strategies that match the needs of 21st Century learners, who have never known a world without cellular phones or the Internet.

“This initiative will be exciting, challenging and intense,” said 21st Century Learning Project Manager Cathy Gassenheimer. “Being part of this project shows that these educators are dedicated to continuously improving their craft, and their students are fortunate to have such committed, professional teachers.”

The project exposes school teams to the concepts of 21st Century learning, introduces engaging web-based technologies, considers how these web tools can help students, and encourages teachers to begin experimenting and sharing with online colleagues.

The 21st Century Learning concept is about more than just technological literacy. It encompasses the kinds of skills that students will need in their careers, skills such as analytical thinking or spoken and written communication.

New schools in the 21st Century Learning Project

• Blossomwood Elementary School in Huntsville, Huntsville City Schools. Principal Cathy Vasile, team leader Lynn McQueen.
• Bob Jones High School in Madison, Madison City Schools. Principal Robby Parker, team leader Julie Finley.
• Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Jefferson County Schools. Principal Steve Laney, team leader Juliana Powell-Coleman.
• Dean Road Elementary in Auburn, Auburn City Schools. Principal Jacquelynne Greenwood, team leader Kristi Gilliland.
• Discovery Middle School in Madison, Madison City Schools. Principal and team leader Sharon Willis.
• Falkville High School in Falkville, Morgan County Schools. Principal Sue Wood, team leader Kim Mooney.
• Fayetteville School in Sylacauga, Talladega County Schools. Principal Joan Doyle, team leader Karen Pemberton.
• Greenville High School in Greenville, Butler County Schools. Principal Kathy Murphy, team leader Debbie Lawrence.
• Haleyville High School in Haleyville, Haleyville City Schools. Principal Roger Satcher, team leader Suzanne Burleson.
• Hewitt-Trussville Middle School in Trussville, Trussville City Schools.  Principal Sunny Williams, team leader Joy Young.
• Hueytown Elementary School in Hueytown, Jefferson County Schools. Principal Stephanie Hendrix, team leader Lynn Holland.
• Liberty Park Elementary School, Vestavia Hills, Vestavia Hills City Schools. Principal Helen Holley, team leader Rosalyn Spivey.
• Louis Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills, Vestavia Hills City Schools. Principal David Miles, team leader Angie Wilson.
• Montview Elementary School in Huntsville, Huntsville City Schools. Principal Kreslyn McGinnis, team leader Mary Powers.
• Mountain Brook Junior High School in Mountain Brook, Mountain Brook City Schools. Principal Garry Rickard, team leader Joani Kay.
• Mt. Laurel Elementary School in Birmingham, Shelby County Schools. Principal and team leader Nita Thompson.
• Ogletree Elementary School in Auburn, Auburn City Schools. Principal Cristen Herring, team leader Deana Schnuelle.
• Spain Park High School in Hoover, Hoover City Schools. Principal Billy Broadway, team leader Erik Meyers.
• West Blocton Elementary School in West Blocton, Bibb County Schools.  Principal Karen Hubbard, team leader Amanda Johnson.
• West Jasper Elementary in Jasper, Jasper City Schools. Principal Eric Smith, team leader Melanie Turner.

Teams of up to five people per school will gather for face-to-face sessions and meet online for sessions conducted using Elluminate Live, a Web-based classroom environment. Participants will also use Tapped In, an online learning community for educators, to reinforce their learning and to collaborate with other schools in the 21st Century Learning Project.

The Alabama Best Practices Center, part of the Montgomery-based A+ Education Foundation, promotes promising education practices in the state's public schools through professional development for teachers and administrators.

The schools (with system name in parentheses) returning for a second year in the 21st Century Learning Project are:

Athens Middle (Athens City); Buckhorn High and Hazel Green High (Madison County); Calcedeaver Elementary and George Hall Elementary (Mobile County); Cedar Ridge Middle and Chestnut Grove Elementary (Decatur City); Central Park Elementary (Birmingham City); Challenger Middle and Terry Heights Elementary (Huntsville City); Cullman Middle (Cullman City); Hillcrest High (Tuscaloosa County); Mountain Brook High (Mountain Brook City); Northridge High (Tuscaloosa City); Oak Mountain High, Vincent Middle/High (Shelby County); Vestavia Hills Elementary East (Vestavia Hills City); Winterboro School (Talladega County); and Wrights Mill Road Elementary (Auburn City).

The 21st Century Learning Project is funded by a grant from Microsoft Corp.’s Partners in Learning program. The program focuses on digital inclusion and helping individuals and communities gain access to the technology tools, skills and innovation they need to realize their potential in the changing economy.

The nonprofit and nonpartisan A+ Education Foundation advances policies, programs and initiatives in Alabama's K-12 education system that result in high achievement by every child.

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