Saltus Launches ‘Saltus Teachers Academy”

Saltus Grammar School has launched the ‘Saltus Teachers Academy’, saying that in the “increasingly competitive field of education Saltus recognized the need for world-class professional development for their faculty.”

A spokesperson said, “Their teachers, both Bermudian and expatriate, needed opportunities to develop their skills through completing internationally recognized programmes that would prepare them for career progression at Saltus and throughout the world.

“Equally importantly, research from around the world demonstrates a clear link between investment in teacher professional development and improved learning for students. Saltus has therefore introduced the ‘Saltus Teachers Academy, with its aim to provide leading edge professional development. The Saltus Teachers Academy has, thus far, created partnerships with leading educational organizations:

Masters in Education

Through a partnership with Nottingham Trent University [UK], Saltus will be offering from January 2015 the opportunity to study on island part-time towards a Master’s degree in Education or in Educational Leadership. This exciting program is open to all teachers on island, and will provide Bermuda’s educators with opportunities to share best practice. Any interested persons should refer to the Saltus website www.saltus.bm for further information.

National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders / Middle Leaders

With sponsorship from the Bank of Bermuda Foundation these leadership qualifications are accredited by the National College for Teaching and Leadership [NCTL] in the United Kingdom and are delivered through Saltus’ partnership with ‘Inspiring Leaders’ who are licensed to deliver the NCTL Leadership programmes at Saltus.

Last academic year, 12 participants from Saltus studied towards the programme and are nearing the completion of their programme.

Ms Powell, one of the teachers on the program, commented, “I had the chance to work closely with a UK facilitator and my Saltus coach to complete a team-based school improvement project. Both individuals helped to make my learning exciting and relevant to my current position. I thoroughly enjoyed this unique experience and would highly recommend it to other teachers.”

This academic year, Saltus is hosting a mixed cohort of teachers from the Berkeley Institute, Bermuda High School, Warwick Academy and Saltus. Head of School Claire Charlemagne said, “We are delighted that we have a mixed cohort of schools undertaking the leadership programmes this academic year. Developing together as professionals will enable us all to draw on each other’s expertise so that we can provide the students with the very best possible education.”

Harvard iPad Bootcamp

In July six teachers from the Saltus Primary Department travelled to Harvard for an intensive iPad course: Emma Law, Liz Dowdell, Trista Levere, Selena Mello, Brittany Adams and Jane Davis, accompanied by Director of Educational Technology Jane Hizer and Trudy Bucher, Director of Information Technology,. The teachers spent three days becoming skillful at integrating the iPad into the primary curriculum.

Students will now have ninety iPads available to use as a part of the Primary iPad Programme. Saltus believes strongly in investing in teacher preparation to ensure that these devices enhance and extend traditional classroom learning. Parents have attended special iPad Bootcamp sessions where they have learned how their child uses the iPad during the school day.

The first of these was held on Wednesday Nov 5th and was very well attended.

#Education #GoodNews #SaltusGrammarSchool

Category: All, technology