Kindergarteners in Courtney Thompson's class at Perrin Early Learning Center began work at the computer stations on the very first day of school.  Maggie, Kamryn, and Kaitlyn didn't waste any time beginning their differentiated instruction.

Students at Martha Vinyard Elementary in Ponchatoula are living up to the school district's mission statement of Excellence Every Day. Stephanie Waguespack talked to her fifth grade students on the first day of school about the importance of making every minute count and displaying excellence every day. She told them that her class is the first step in their journey to graduation. Mrs. Waguespack wore her graduation cap and gown to school and is allowing each of her students to wear it for an hour each day. Above Ja'mya Smith wears it proudly.

Tangipahoa Parish teachers that participated in the Teaching American History Grant Project's 2010 Summer Institute trip to Atlanta are as follows: Jason Husser - Loranger Middle, James Jacocks - Hammond High, Martha Robertson-Mitchell - Kentwood High, Charlymane McCray - O.W. Dillon, Ann Trappey - Kentwood High, Kevin Crovetto -Ponchatoula High, Jeramie Hookfin - Loranger High, Sheryl DeGruy - Ponchatoula Junior High, Yvonne Chapman - O.W. Dillon, Jermaine Spencer - Loranger High.

Project I-MaST, a Math/Science Project for teachers in grades 3, 4, and 5 is being held at Southeastern Louisiana University from July 5 - 23. Project I-MaST instructors are Drs Gwen Autin and Troy Williams. The TPSS District Project Director is CC Lanier. The goal of the project is to increase teacher math and science content knowledge, acquire lab based lessons, and integrate technology into the classrooms.

Project IBIS, a LASIP grant project for science teachers in grades, 6, 8, 9 -12 was held at Southeastern Louisiana University from June 21 - July 2.. Project IBIS Instructors were Drs. Troy Williams, Gwen Autin, Bill Parkinson, Sanchiro Yoshida with TPSS District Project Director, CC Lanier. The goal of the project is to increase teacher science content knowledge and to implement inquiry based learning. Click here to see more pictures from Project IBIS.

National Association of Biology Teachers Announces Outstanding Biology Teacher of Louisiana for 2010

Christina Verberne of Loranger High School in Tangipahoa Parish was named the Outstanding Biology Teacher of Louisiana for 2010 by the National Association of Biology Teachers. This honor, given annually since 1961 by NABT in conjunction with Pearson and Leica Microsystems, identifies a teacher from each of the United States, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, and Canadian provinces who has made valuable contributions to the profession and to his/her students. Criteria for the award include teaching ability, experience, inventiveness, initiative, inherent teaching strengths, and cooperativeness in the school and community. Christina was chosen because of her ability to relate the subject matter to the students’ lives in an enthusiastic and engaging manner, because she provides an integrated approach to topics by incorporating other subjects, technology, and society and she involves her students with the community through inquiry projects, field trips, investigations, and service endeavors.
Mrs. Verberne has been a teacher at Loranger high school for the past seven years and also serves as the science department chair and sponsor of 4-H. She received her Bachelor degree in Secondary education with a concentration in biology from LSU. “I feel that it is important for my students to know that science is real and not just found in textbooks. I use technology to grab their attention and try to create a 21st century environment,” explains Verberne. For the past two years, her Biology II students have been studying biology concepts in forensics. She is currently the only teacher in Tangipahoa parish that teaches forensics. In collaboration with students enrolled in theater classes, her students investigate mock crime scenes. The theatre students write and set up the mock crime scene and her students then collect evidence, interview witnesses, and apply the scientific method to explain their conclusions. As 4-H sponsor, she has her high school members actively involved with the school’s annual blood drive, a wetland restoration project in collaboration with elementary and middle school students, and the creation of a habitat for birds and butterflies in a courtyard on their campus. In the upcoming school year, her students will be involved in a research project, through a locally funded grant, to determine how a video game affects brain activity.
Christina is a member of the Louisiana Association of Science Teachers and was recognized as the Loranger High School and Tangipahoa Parish teacher of the year in 2008. In 2007, she received the ING Unsung Heroes award for a project entitled “HEALTH” (High School and Elementary Achieving Lifestyles That are Healthy). In this project, her students studied how healthy diets and regular exercise affect a person’s health and they worked with local 4th grade students on making healthy choices in life.
“Mrs. Verberne is a HANDS-ON teacher, continually creating, modifying, and providing students with visuals and practical labs that bring lessons to life in an understandable, memorable manner,” said Dr. Billie Theriot, principal of Loranger High School. She builds rapport with her students. “Mrs. Verberne’s wonderful inventiveness is amazing with the resources she has available. She often uses home-made ideas and household products to conduct labs. I believe her greatest quality is her initiative,” commented former student, Julia Smith.
Mrs. Verberne, and other OBTA recipients, will be recognized at the NABT convention in Minneapolis in November. She will receive a certificate and pin, a special award from Pearsons, a microscope from Leica Microsystems, Inc., and a one-year membership in NABT.


For more information, please contact the Louisiana OBTA Director
Mr. Marty Loupe, mloupe@LSU.edu , 225-803-6711

Or the 2010 OBTA recipient, Christina Verberne christina.verberne@tangischools.org
 

Reimbursement for Professional Development for Initial Certification and/or Highly Qualified in Content Area of Current Teaching Position

These funds are only for reimbursement for professional development for initial certification and/or highly qualified in content area of current teaching position. The reimbursement process includes the following documents. All documents must be sent together in a packet at one time or the packet will be sent back to the applicant. Deadlines should be adhered to. Please direct any inquiries to Shelisa Perry at shelisa.perry@tangischools.org

• Reimbursement Letter to Principals and Teachers

• Reimbursement Procedures

• Reimbursement Process for Professional Development Important Information

• Deadlines for Teacher Reimbursements

• PRAXIS Exams Reimbursement Form

• Teacher Certification / Highly Qualified Tuition Reimbursement Form
   

Click here to find specific information on upcoming local, state, and federally funded grant opportunities.

Thinking Maps are being implemented in all schools in Tangipahoa Parish School System. Teachers are very excited about this strategy to improve teaching and learning. Click here for pictures and ideas for using Thinking Maps in the classroom.

This page was last updated on Monday, August 30, 2010.