Current evaluation results indicate that the introduction of eMINTS classrooms into a school or district has the power to change the teaching and learning environment of the school or district and to improve student performance. The eMINTS Professional Development for Educational Technology Specialists (PD4ETS) program is part of a strategy to expand the eMINTS program to more classrooms throughout the state of Missouri, nationally and internationally. This portion of the eMINTS program will help empower schools and districts to effectively implement the eMINTS Instructional Model.

PD4ETS can provide a range of solutions, from a full replication of the eMINTS program to a tailored use of the program to facilitate compatible educational goals. PD4ETS offers high-quality professional development in a train-the-trainer model.

Educational organizations that desire to combine technology and inquiry-based teaching in order to achieve improved performance for all learners will find PD4ETS an important component in their overall program development. Successful completion of the PD4ETS training may lead to certification as an eMINTS Instructional Specialist.

Certified eIS may have access to the eMINTS professional-development materials and modules, strategies and support. The eIS will have everything necessary to help teachers achieve proficiency in the eMINTS Instructional Model as they implement it in their classrooms. Certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists can be critical catalysts in the formation and sustenance of professional learning communities in schools and districts.

PD4ETS aims to provide professional educators with essential support systems and a collaborative group of colleagues. PD4ETS participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary for implementing the eMINTS Instructional Model and high-quality professional development in their own educational settings.

The PD4ETS program will be offered pending the eMINTS National Center’s final budget sufficiency each fiscal year and an adequate number of participants to form cohort groups.

1. Participants will understand methods of incorporating constructivist principles into the classroom: inquiry-based learning, collaborative learning, and cooperative learning. They will develop strategies for assisting classroom teachers in integrating these methods into a technology-rich classroom.
2. Participants will be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of the eMINTS instructional model (Inquiry-based Learning, High-quality Lesson Design, Community of Learners, and Powered by Technology) and transfer this, to their groups of teachers, through classroom visits and training sessions.
3. Participants will be able to communicate the purpose for conducting classroom visits to support teachers’ transfer of learning.  Participants will understand the elements of effective classroom visit activities such as modeling instruction, lesson planning cycle, technology assistance, reflective practice, problem solving, and program implementation.
4. Participants will become skilled at various support functions including collaboration, consultation and coaching.
5. Participants will become active members of relevant learning communities. They will collaborate with others to share, gain ideas and enhance skills.
6. Participants will become skilled at finding and using a variety of online resources that support technology integration with constructivist principles.
7. Participants will become competent in planning and implementing effective eMINTS professional development sessions.
8. Participants will demonstrate responsibility in complying with eMINTS National Center policies.

There are four major components in the eMINTS instructional model. These four components are wrapped in ongoing evaluation and are designed to work together to create better learning outcomes for teachers and students.

1. Inquiry-based Learning – One foundational piece of the eMINTS instructional model is using inquiry, constructivist approaches, using ways that cause students to ask and think about very deep questions.
2. High-quality Lesson Design – eMINTS believes that the best teaching and learning take place in classrooms where teachers have the opportunity to create the kinds of lessons that deeply engage students in meaningful content and meaningful inquiry.
3. Community of Learners – Fundamental to eMINTS practice is the community of learners – not only within the classroom, but also among teachers and among trainers, as well as showing students how continuous life-long learning takes place in a community. eMINTS helps teachers and other participants learn the importance of building a community of learners where learners share, take risks, respect and push each other as they find their own best ways to learn and engage in deep content with one another.
4. Powered by Technology – eMINTS integrates technology with inquiry-based learning and high-quality lessons to bring about true learning. Technology adds excitement and motivation for students and teachers to use web and web 2.0 tools to bring learning into classroom and help expand learning beyond the classroom walls.

In addition, ongoing evaluation is woven throughout all the elements of the eMINTS instructional model. eMINTS helps teachers learn about all types of assessment and evaluation for themselves and their students. We pay attention to outcomes and results of eMINTS implementations – in individual classrooms and across the entire eMINTS national program. Critical to the eMINTS instructional model, continuous assessment drives instruction and creates better outcomes for teachers and students.

4- Who is eligible to apply for the eMINTS PD4ETS program? Where will the program be offered?
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The program is available to any school or district interested in implementing the eMINTS Instructional Model in their particular setting. Other educational organizations and entities interested in applying for program participation should contact the eMINTS National Center office.

The location(s) of the PD4ETS program will be determined by the number of applicants accepted into the program and their residency. Cohort groups of not less than 5 participants will be formed based on the geographic locations of participants.

Selection of PD4ETS participants is under the purview of the school, district or educational organization that employs them. It is not required that PD4ETS participants complete any other eMINTS Professional Development programs prior to acceptance into the PD4ETS program.

Applicant schools or districts with established eMINTS programs will be highly discouraged from nominating PD4ETS participants who are Year 1 or Year 2 eMINTS training. It is not advisable for eMINTS teachers currently in training to attempt the PD4ETS training.

Schools, districts and educational organizations should strongly consider requiring the following qualifications for PD4ETS participants:

• A Bachelor’s degree in education plus a minimum of one year successful teaching experience.
• Current teacher certification.
• Experience with multimedia instructional technologies (including SMART Board. computer, printer, scanner, digital camera).
• Knowledge of inquiry-based and cooperative learning methodologies.
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
•  change agent in the district respected by peers
• Flexible and willing to learn

A goal of eMINTS National Center program is the development of a professional learning community within a school leading to school-wide renewal and improvement. Development of a professional learning community within a school requires the involvement, approval and buy-in of a critical mass of the teaching staff and significant administrative support. The participation of isolated individuals in PD4ETS is counter-productive to this goal.

Find program cost information ….
Find current equipment information ….

Cohort group size is limited to a minimum of 5 participants per group and a maximum of 15 participants per group. Organizations may apply for one or more slots in the cohort group. Organizations with more than 15 potential participants should contact the eMINTS National Center for special arrangements.

During Year 1 sixteen (16) days, each approximately 6 hours in length, are held during the school day or evening. See schedule …

• 1 day -  Orientation session is held in the summer
• 9 days -  Professional Development sessions at cohort location
• 1 day – eMINTS Winter Conference in Columbia
• 1 day – eMINTS Classroom Observation – arranged
• 1 day  – Classroom Visit Job Shadow Observation – arranged
• 1 day – Professional Development Training Session observation (may be an evening session) – arranged

During Year 2 ten (10) days, each approximately 6 hours in length, are held during the school day.

• 4  days – Cognitive Coaching Seminars at designated locations
• 6 days -  Professional Development sessions at cohort location
• 2 days – Online Professional Development sessions with cohort using Collaborate web conferencing (approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours)

For non-Missouri residents, Year 1 begins with a 4 day orientation experience, ideally in Missouri, to communicate with eMINTS staff, focus on program implementation, the basics of inquiry-based learning, the eMINTS Instructional Model and visit eMINTS classrooms. Then a 2-3 day follow-up meeting will be provided in participants’ sites between months 6-9 of year 1 training. This format is intended to give PD4ETS participants the support needed as they provide professional development, establish their eMINTS classrooms and deepen their understanding about the eMINTS program. In addition, non-Missouri participants and eMINTS staff will meet for approximately 1-2 hours each month via online environment. Also, monthly phone calls will be scheduled mutually by participants and eMINTS staff.

If at least five participants are from the same state or region, all Year 1 experiences may be held in the participants’ home state or in a location convenient to participants.

During Year 2, non-Missouri participants schedule a 4-day session in Missouri. If at least five participants are from the same state or region, the Year 2 experience may be held in the participants’ home state or in a location convenient to participants. In addition, non-Missouri participants and eMINTS staff will meet for approximately 1-2 hours each month via online environment. Also, monthly phone calls will be scheduled mutually by participants and eMINTS staff.

Missouri participants are required to visit an eMINTS classroom if they have not done so in the past, attend a professional development session facilitated by an experienced eMINTS trainer and job shadow a trainer during a classroom visit. Missouri participants also are expected to attend the eMINTS Winter Conference in Year 1 of their training. The eMINTS Winter Conference is counted as one of the required sessions.  Part of the training schedule includes 4 days of Cognitive Coaching training. There will be 4 additional days offered at additional cost the following year.

The school or district and participant must complete and meet all requirements stipulated in the eMINTS National Center program application section for PD4ETS. Participants and their schools or districts are expected to commit to the full 2-year program. Participants are expected to attend all sessions and be present during site visits. Strict attendance polices are outlined in the PD4ETS Program Guidebook.

Participants interested in certification will be required to complete a portfolio of required materials and complete a performance-based competency assessment. Completion of the certification process is not a requirement of the PD4ETS program. Participants not completing the certification process will receive a certificate of attendance and will not receive access to eMINTS materials following the end of the 2-year PD4ETS program; however, successful completion of the certification process is required for individuals to be eligible to provide eMINTS Professional Development programs.

Participants who complete the requirements of the certification process but who do not successfully facilitate eMINTS comprehensive or eMINTS4All training during the two-year program will receive a certificate of completion. These participants may access eMINTS professional development materials for a limited time after the two-year PD4ETS program is complete but may not train official eMINTS or eMINTS4All teachers. Participant may apply for eIS certification at a later time to train official eMINTS comprehensive or eMINTS4All teachers.

Participants who complete the requirements of the certification process and who successfully facilitated one year of eMINTS Professional Development for eMINTS comprehensive and/or eMINTS4All teacher(s) or an approved adaptation of eMINTS Professional Development will receive eMINTS Instructional Specialist certification. These participants must be evaluated performing eMINTS Professional Development with a training cohort. Participants who receive eMINTS Instructional Specialist certification may facilitate the training of official eMINTS comprehensive or eMINTS4All teachers after the completion of the two-year PD4ETS program and may be selected to serve as a consultant to the eMINTS National Center providing professional development programs to eMINTS comprehensive or eMINTS4All teachers from other districts.

Costs for certification are included in the participation costs.

Certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists (or their organizations) will be required to complete an annual Access Agreement outlining the privileges and limitations of their access to eMINTS Professional Development materials. A fee will be assessed annually. Failure to pay the access fee will result in termination of the individual’s access to eMINTS Professional Development materials.

Certified eMINTS Instructional Specialists delivering eMINTS PD to teachers who wish to be considered official eMINTS comprehensive or eMINTS4All teachers (including replacement teachers) must submit a professional development schedule prior to the start of professional development each year. They must also submit a classroom visit schedule that documents completed classroom visits in January and at the end of the school year.

eIS who successfully complete the PD4ETS program will be expected to maintain contact with the eMINTS National Center to receive programmatic updates (professional development materials) and other information. Requirements for additional professional development to maintain certification will be posted on the eMINTS website.

Find information for registering for eMINTS Professional Development programs, including PD4ETS. Registration forms must be postmarked no later than June 15. Applicants will receive written and e-mail confirmation of their acceptance into eMINTS programs. Information about dates, times and locations of initial sessions will be included if applicable.

Applications are approved based on multiple factors including the availability of eMINTS staff to provide the services, completeness of the application, demonstrated success in program implementation for schools or districts seeking additional eMINTS classroom implementations or participation in PD4ETS. Another important factor is the geographic distribution of applicants allowing the formation of cohort groups with adequate numbers of participants – intensive face-to-face programs such as PD4ETS are generally not available to groups smaller than 5 participants.

Please note: the eMINTS National Center does not provide funds to teachers, schools, districts or other educational organizations interested in implementing the eMINTS Instructional Model. Schools, districts and other educational organizations may fund equipment, software and/or eMINTS Professional Development programs using the following sources of funds:

• Title I (note: some states have specific regulations regarding equipment purchase).
• Title II.A
• Title V
• Title VI.B
• Local Professional Development and At-Risk funds

Each school district or educational organization is required to provide PD4ETS participants with a device that matches teacher devices (link)  included in their implementation for the two years the specialist is in the program.

Schools, districts, organizations and participating specialists must make a two-year commitment and complete all scheduled sessions and requirements.

No, organizations will not be reimbursed for unused portions of the program. Because of the nature of the professional development program sequence, organizations are not allowed to substitute other individuals if the original applicant is unable to complete the program after any more than the first three sessions (Missouri) or first two days of Week 1 (national version) have been held.