We Build It Better Teacher Professional Development

The We Build It Better program is an all-inclusive 18-week middle school career tech, STEM cluster initiative. Classrooms statewide will transform into Centers of Invention and Innovation inspiring and equipping students with skills for success. Driving this program at the local level will be the teachers. These teachers will need credentialed Professional Development PD in order to effectively deliver the We Build It Better program. As a program designed by industry, we recognize the teachers will not be Subject Matter Experts in various content areas. Therefore, a unique Learning System has been developed ensuring classroom delivery is effective, relevant and meaningful. The required five-day PD for teachers will introduce the Learning System which includes digital and printed Instructor Manuals, digital Presentation Materials, Student Digital Notebooks, Differentiation Strategies, Resources and more. As a project-based curriculum, a glimpse of what the teachers will learn during the PD is tool safety, tool and fastener identification and usage, multimeters, Raspberry Pi, Workplace Champions, Precision Measurement and Accuracy, 3D printing and more. The PD is followed with continued learning activities, Just In Time videos and steady communication from the education team at Flight Works Alabama. Recognizing the investment of adopting the We Build It Better program into schools across the state, this PD approach is to ensure long-term sustainability in the classroom. At the conclusion of the PD, teachers will be We Build It Better certified and able to navigate the Learning System, understand industry-related concepts, and use new skills to successfully deliver the We Build It Better program to students across the state of Alabama.