One of the best PD experiences ever -- meaningful, insightful, practical, and important.
I couldn’t be more happy or satisfied. Thank you!
This was the only time I can honestly say that I left a professional development session with a bit of a burning fire in my gut to go out and do excellent things…. Thank you for your guidance, organization, and positivity. It was extremely refreshing.
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science (CSCS) is a tuition-free public K-8 charter school in Portland, Oregon. Our vision is to look beyond classroom walls. We believe that healthy communities are created by engaged, informed and compassionate citizens, and that children learn best when participating in authentic, hands-on learning experiences that are closely tied to the community. Through service, integrated curriculum and experiential learning, we provide opportunities for our students to actively build relationships locally, inspiring them to become catalysts of change in a global community.
As established by the Oregon Legislature, charter schools are intended to serve as laboratories for learning that disseminate successful practice to other educators and institutions around the state. The Cottonwood School aims to fulfill this charge by collaborating with educators across the region to build a network of place-based practitioners who share a common vision. Join us!
A holistic view of environment: Place-based education immerses students in their local environment by looking through cultural, social, natural lenses.
Community-building: One of the primary goals of place-based education is building healthy, sustainable communities both in and beyond school walls. Curricular goals merge with community goals. Students and educators collaborate with local partners to create meaningful projects.
Student and Civic Engagement: Students and educators apply skills and content from multiple disciplinary areas when working of projects. Integrated studies have proven to be one of the most successful strategies for increasing student engagement. Young people gain hands-on experience with leadership skills and the democratic process through civic engagement.
Diverse Perspectives: We seek and honor multiple, diverse perspectives to build a more complete and inclusive understanding of the places we live. We apply the lenses of eco- and social- justice when developing partnerships and projects.
Workshops can vary from one day to multiple days. Any of the elements listed below can be used to custom tailor a program specifically for your school. Expectations for participants will vary according to the program we build together. Follow-up mentoring is recommended, as this has proven to be the most successful way to help teachers develop skills and confidence as place-based practitioners.
Content:
Process for the workshops include facilitator presentation, hands-on activities, time for reading and reflection, time for collaboration and trouble-shooting, and practice with planning and implementation. Most importantly, we can work with you to create a professional development experience that is unique to your place and institution. Our goal is to make the program relevant, useful, and clearly connected to your needs.
Rates will vary according to program and duration.
Great resources and a variety of teaching styles throughout the day. Very collaborative.
I loved the hands-on activities that were incorporated into the workshop…. Very well-organized and
thought-out!
For more information or to discuss professional development options, contact Sarah Anderson
sarahanderson@thecottonwoodschool.org
503-244-1967 ext. 317
These short sessions are designed to introduce participants to place-based education as an instructional approach. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the power of local studies, civic engagement, and education for sustainability. In some cases, participants will leave with planning materials and other resources. Sessions can also have a hands-on component for teachers to brainstorm, collaborate, and share.
A Middle School Curriculum
Learn More at the website: Civil Rights And Civil Wrongs, The Black History Of Portland, Oregon
The following presentations include an introduction to place-based education, examples of projects related to the topic, and necessary elements for a successful practice. They can also include a hands-on, participatory element.
For more information or to discuss professional development options, contact Sarah Anderson
sarahanderson@thecottonwoodschool.org
503-244-1967 ext. 317
The Cottonwood School of Civics and Science offered a 3-day workshop to prepare educators to teach the middle school curriculum
Civil Rights and Civil Wrongs: A History of Portland’s Black Community.
There is no cost for the training, thanks to the Library of Congress. Here are all of the benefits:
This 3 day workshop took place August 13-15, 2019 at the Cottonwood School of Civics and Science in the South Waterfront neighborhood of Portland.
Visit the Civil Rights and Civil Wrongs Website
For more information or to discuss professional development options, contact Sarah Anderson
sarahanderson@thecottonwoodschool.org
503-244-1967 ext. 317