An I.J. Holton Intermediate School teacher is leading by example and becoming a master teacher.

Kaylene Jensen, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) teacher at I.J. Holton Intermediate School, has been selected to join the ranks of master teacher with the PLTW organization. Jensen teaches design and modeling to fifth-grade students and Automation and Robotics to sixth-grade students at I.J. Holton Intermediate School. All I.J. Holton students participate in the nine-week courses which are part of the foundation units for the PLTW Gateway curriculum for middle school students.

PLTW seeks innovative and enthusiastic teachers to join their Professional Development Team. Through an extensive review of education research literature, Core Training Survey data, and inventory of PLTW aims and goals for professional development, PLTW has established a set of five criteria which mark excellence in their master teachers. PLTW master teacher criteria for excellence are: champion of PLTW, strong pedagogical content knowledge, knowledge and awareness of adult learners, exemplary instructional abilities, and use of reflection as an agent of change. PLTW seeks these qualities in their master teacher candidates and strives to support continued cultivation of these qualities within their master teacher community.

“Upon review of Ms. Jensen’s master teacher application, it was evident that she possesses the criteria for excellence that we wish our master teachers to exhibit,” Kristen Champion-Terrell of the PLTW Professional Development Team said in a press release. “We look forward to supporting Ms. Jensen as she engages in the exciting process of training future PLTW teachers.”

Selected through an application process, master teachers collaborate with and learn from dedicated and talented educators, attend professional development sponsored by PLTW, actively participate in the PLTW professional development strategy and implementation process, receive training in the latest course content, software and equipment, and connect with university faculty who specialize in STEM-related fields. In return master teachers are responsible for facilitating Core Training sessions as assigned and approved by PLTW, creating an instructional atmosphere that is conducive to all learners and applying principles of adult learning to the development and delivery of training, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the full scope and breadth of the specific PLTW course curricula, remaining current with curriculum updates and revisions, working in collaboration with other professionals to develop and implement instructional material, curricula, and staff development opportunities.