Engineering the Future
January 14th, 2021
MSA New Strategic Vision
As the EtF schools forge forward with the MSA A to E work in the new year, it is a good time to reflect on the MSA Pillars. As part of its strategic planning, the MSA Board reviewed the organization’s mission, vision, and magnet pillars to ensure they were current.The MSA Board of Directors approved a new strategic vision for the organization in 2020 that will help create and shape the future of magnet schools across the nation.
View the mission statement and vision on the MSA website.
Magnet School Pillars (two are revised)
Pillar 1:
Diversity is a cornerstone to offering students a global educational experience. Schools, through recruitment and lotteries, strive to have student populations that are reflective of the community. Culturally competent educational environments model empathy, respect, and working collaboratively with a variety of persons.
Replace with:
Diversity is a cornerstone that offers students a global educational experience, which includes equity and access for every child creating a foundation for successful magnet schools. Through marketing, recruitment strategies, and a balanced selection process, schools strive to generate student populations that are reflective of their communities.
School choice provides educational environments that model empathy, respect, and collaboration, and inclusion of all cultures.
Pillar 2 (no change):
Innovative Curriculum and Professional Development is developed to assure theme-based relevant instruction to students. Emulating best practices, effective teaching strategies are implemented through the inclusion of each school’s theme. Curriculum is based on high quality rigorous standards that prepare students for higher education and career success.
Pillar 3 (no change):
Academic Excellence is demonstrated through a commitment to multi-dimensional instruction focused on student needs. Multiple assessment strategies are employed to monitor student learning, progress, and success. High expectations are clearly articulated and personalized instructional supports are in place to address the interests and aspirations of all students. In addition, positive peer support, an outgrowth of mixing middle-class and low-income students, has been instrumental in encouraging students to dream bigger and be more engaged in school.
Pillar 4:
High Quality Instructional Systems are rooted in well-prepared, well-educated professional educators. Teachers and administrators who are student-centered, collaborative, and inquisitive prepare learners to be world ready, workforce ready, and higher education ready. Teacher and administrative development through MSA encourages networking, shared research, and information and professional growth the benefits of which translate into an ever-evolving, ever-improving instructional system.
Replace with:
Leadership at the school and district level is demonstrated by a commitment to continuous collaboration and monitoring by administrators for effective magnet school organization and systemic improvements. Leadership is rooted in well-educated professional educators. Decisions about hiring, budgets, training, and pathways are collaborative and focus on sustainability of high-quality instructional systems.
Pillar 5 (no change):
Family and Community Partnerships are mutually beneficial, offer a system of support, shared ownership, and a caring spirit, and are designed to enhance a theme integrated educational environment. Partnerships with parents are essential for a rich educational experience for students. Community partnerships include a diverse array of stakeholders including business, health and human services, and policy makers to support the education of all students and offer them a real-world view toward the future.
View all the pillars and their descriptions on the MSA website or download a PDF you can display.
Ideas and Opportunities
Explora s hosting a short 30 minute Family Science Night on January 18th in conjunction with Animal Humane. There will be another exciting family night on the 25th with NMT Engineering focusing on drones! Click on the link for more information.
Professional Development for Teachers
Google PD
Google Certified Educator (GCE)
Level 1 & Level 2 Scholarships
The Educational Technology Team has codes for a limited number of Google Certified Level 1 &
Google Certified Level 2 scholarships. To learn more about the Google Certified Educator Certifications, visit the Google Site. The scholarships cover the exam fees. Please fill out the form(s) to request a code.
Scholarships must be used by June 30, 2021.
Online there are amazing Google resources for educators. Check out:
https://edu.google.com/teaching-resources/
Explora continues to offer free PD for teachers!
Workshops are held virtually and most include a kit of materials. Pre-registration is required. Click on the name of the workshop below to register.
- Color-liscious: A virtual workshop for early childhood teachers on January 28 from 4-6pm
Office of Innovation
Email: innovation@aps.edu
Website: https://www.aps.edu/innovation/engineering-the-future
Location: 6400 Uptown Boulevard Northeast, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Phone: 505-855-9053
Twitter: @APSInnovates