Dr. Shari Camhi, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for the Glen Cove School District since 2004, was the guest speaker at the Coalition for Glen Cove meeting on Monday, December 8th.
Dr. Camhi’s first priorities for the district were the areas of literacy and math. Columbia University Teachers’ College acclaimed “Writers Workshop” and “Readers Workshop” have been gradually introduced to elementary and middle school students who are benefiting from this engaging approach to literacy learning. A new math series has been adopted district wide and is helping our students build a strong foundation in math skills and greater understanding of math concepts and how they are applied in the real world. Test scores have shown steady improvement and Dr. Camhi is confident that the progress in these areas is sustainable. The district will now be able to focus more attention on initiatives in science and social studies.
Dr. Camhi emphasized the importance of creating a “21st century learning environment”, which makes use of technology to learn and to demonstrate learning.
Dr. Camhi described a vast array of learning experiences involving Smart Boards or Interactive White Boards, Blogs, Wikis, digital photography, mini PC’s, classroom video, and “Global Classrooms” using software called Eluminate, Safari Live and Vidi Talk.
Students in language classes can now practice their Spanish, Italian, French, Mandarin and Latin in a new “Interactive Language Lab”. Students in some science and art classes are creating “virtual worlds” and others are communicating back and forth with our sister school in Bejing, China.
The Glen Cove schools are drawing attention in the learning community. Our administrators are being invited to be speakers at educational conferences and other districts are interested in our innovations and progress. Dr. Camhi described how closely she works with our teachers and principals and how bringing about change is the work of many people in collaboration.
What does learning look like in Glen Cove? Dr. Camhi invites members of the community to visit while school is in session. It will be a rewarding experience to see the students and teachers in action. For contact numbers and a wealth of information about the district go to the award winning website at www.glencove.k12.ny.us.