IN Chartiers Valley Fall 2016 | Page 29

sure the student population is served adequately, allowing teachers to spend more personalized time with each student in a group. Through technology, students are provided access to 24/7 learning, allowing them to take learning outside of their typical classroom setting and work on their own time. This means a cultural shift in the use of mobile technology in the classroom. STEM Integration The United States is pushing for young people to become scientists, engineers, and innovators to shape tomorrow and to continue to be global leaders. As a common buzzword in recent years, STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – continues to play a crucial role in early learning. In a report by U.S. News, early development of STEM skills supports reading, language, and STEM skills later in life. Typically, STEM learning is a focus of high schoollevel students. Inadequate attention is being paid to STEM in early childhood education since other key competencies, such as basic skills in literacy and numeracy, are topics of focus. Educators are working toward proper preparation for teaching early childhood STEM classes to create an even more valuable learning experience for elementary students. NAMED ONE OF THE NATION’S TOP 50 CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLS Professional Development for Educators The ever-changing landscape of education is hard to stay privy to as an educator. Putting hundreds of hours into lesson plans each school year makes the thought of adopting changes a daunting one. Personalized professional development is changing the way teachers are learning to teach their students. Administration-required seminars are being replaced with real-time alternative credentialing. Teachers are learning new ways for classroom learning, combining online learning, Continued on next page > Chartiers Valley | Fall 2016 | icmags.com 27