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MCLA Receives Additional 'Improving Teacher Quality' Grant
12:47PM / Monday, December 08, 2014
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, the lead partner for the Berkshire Early Learning Lab Improving Teacher Quality (ITQ) program, has received additional funding for the 2014-15 academic year from the commonwealth’s Department of Higher Education.

In addition to MCLA, the Berkshire Early Learning Lab ITQ program – a United States Department of Education-funded formula grant, also known as Title II Part A – includes the North Adams, Adams-Cheshire Regional and Northern Berkshire School Union school districts, Child Care of the Berkshires, Berkshire Head Start, the Berkshire Museum and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA).

According to Doug McNally, coordinator of the Berkshire Readiness Center, the addition of nearly $41,000 allows for the newly renovated Clark Art Institute to join Berkshire Museum and Mass MoCA in this program.

In addition, a seventh workshop has been added, and a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math) coach will model lessons in area classrooms and support teachers in implementing STEAM lessons.  

“With the third museum, we’re expanding the field trip capability of schools. The grant is now two-and-a-half times what it was before because of the personnel addition, the extra museum workshop, and additional field trips to the Clark,” McNally said.

According to Ronna Tugan Ostheimer, head of education programs at the Clark, the Clark is so happy to be a part of the ITQ initiative.

"We look forward to working with the other museum educators and classroom teachers to enhance teaching and learning opportunities for young children," she said. "Engaging with art connects to just about every area of the early childhood curriculum.”

Laura Thompson, director of education and Kidspace at Mass MoCA, said the ITQ grant is an opportunity to highlight an “artscentric” pedagogy, a collaborative concept designed by Mass MoCA and the Clark.

“Meaning, we believe the arts are central to all other subjects including the sciences and math, and as such we design programs and Kidspace exhibitions to make these connections evident. The grant also furthers our fruitful partnerships with MCLA, local schools, and other arts organizations,” Thompson said.

The program began in October 2013 and will continue through Sept. 30, 2016. This academic year, it previously was funded with approximately $260,000, an increase over last year’s budget of $107,000.  This recent funding brings this year’s amount to more than $300,000.

The target audience consists of teachers in grades pre-K through 2, with the goal of eventually impacting a majority of teachers in pre-K through grade 2 in the participating programs and districts.

Teachers will develop lesson plans that are posted on a website where they may be accessed by other educators and the public. The program sponsors family nights at the museums, as well as college courses.

“What we’re targeting is curriculum integration – the arts and STEM subjects back into the curriculum,” McNally said. “We now have three museums on board, so more children can go into the museums and experience the programs there, and the coach will be there to support these teachers as they integrate the experience into their students’ education.”

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