TAMIU Regional Collaborative / Laredo
Mission
Texas A&M International University has committed to advance the quality of science education in the community of Laredo by:
- Forming strong partnerships between the university, the local school districts, and informal science education organizations.
- Providing enhanced and on-going professional development for K - 12 Science Teacher Mentors teachers to improve teacher content knowledge and instructional skills.
- Facilitate teacher implementation of relevant science learning that intends to reduce achievement gaps in science performance of diverse student populations.
- Developing teacher leaders through mentoring and guidance to support the professional growth of Cadre Members.
Accomplishments
Texas A & M International University’s Texas Regional Collaborative for Excellence in Science Teaching has formed a partnership to provide professional development for K-12th grade teachers with Laredo Independent School District, United Independent School District, and the Imaginarium of South Texas. The primary purpose of this partnership is to improve student academic achievement in the area of science and reduce achievement gaps in science performance of diverse student populations. Our collaborative is committed in improving student achievement in science by providing our science teacher mentors and instructional team quality professional development in science content. TRC has offered multiple science professional development opportunities during the TAMIU TRC Summer Academy and will continue to do so through the fall and spring semesters. The Summer Science Academy included sessions on Inquiry, Vernier, and literacy and science connection. Upcoming TAMIU TRC professional development sessions include Energy and Matter in Biological Systems, Environmental Science, Physics and Chemistry End of Course, and Biology Inquiry Lesson Planning. The TRC Project Director and Staff are excited to continue working with Science Teacher Mentors and district science coordinators as excellence in science teaching and learning are promoted throughout Laredo.
Contact
- Project Director
- Idania Dominguez
- idominguez@tamiu.edu
- 956-326-3098
Partners
- Texas A&M International University
- College of Arts & Sciences
- College of Education
- The Imaginarium of South Texas
- Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center at Laredo Community College
Participating School Districts
- United Independent School District
- Laredo Independent School District
Events and Activities
In May 2011 the TAMIU TRC hosted its first Honoring the Teachers Event at Texas A&M International University. The celebration began with dinner and the inspiring words of the guest speakers who included Dr. Kamil Jbeily, TRC Executive Director, Lupita Zepeda, AT&T Regional Manager, and Pamela Juarez, UISD Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa, Jr., Physician, Internal Medicine, honored us with his presence and shared his wisdom as guest speaker for the evening. The Science Teacher Mentors were the evening’s guests of honor and were each handed a certificate and a TRC award by Dr. Jbeily in recognition of their time and dedication in becoming teacher mentors. The TAMIU TRC Collaborative partners, United and Laredo Independent School Districts, and the Imaginarium of South Texas were also recognized for their commitment to the TRC project.
Science Collaboratives