Jefferson County ESC

Southern Local Teachers Gain Best Practice Grants

SALINEVILLE-Three Southern Local School District teachers were named recipients of the 2024-25 Best Practice Grants through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. Southern Local Jr./Sr. High School teachers Dr. Lisa Houck and Amanda Wrobleski and Southern Local Elementary educator Breann Steff were recognized by Ron Sismondo, JCESC director of curriculum and professional development, during the Nov. 12 school board session and each gained $700 to finance their classroom projects which center on zoology, geology and reading. Dr. Houck’s project, “Animal Specimens for Zoology,” will examine preserved specimens from various animals as part of the students’ introduction to taxonomy and classification. About 70 science pupils will engage in hands-on learning opportunities and learn to compare and contrast different characteristics among invertebrates and vertebrates. She said this was her first such award and she was eager to introduce the program to her class. “I was so excited that I will have these specimens to share with my students when we cover zoology,” Dr. Houck added, who instructs high school biology, anatomy and physiology and environmental science. Wrobleski’s 42 eighth-grade science students will learn all about “Geologic Processes in Action,” which aims to help them distinguish between geologic processes from erosion to weathering. The students will use a stream table and river model to manipulate slope, water flow and sediment to observe how the Earth’s surface is shaped. “The model has a water pump with jets and adjustable slopes that allow students to manipulate variables to demonstrate erosion, drainage, deposition, delta formation and more,” she said, adding that she previously gained a similar grant for her hydroponic system. “I am very grateful for the 2024 Best Practice Grant because it allows for students to grow, learn and expand their science skills using hands-on learning for scientific investigations.” Steff’s program, “Lights…Camera…Reading Fluency,” transformed 22 second-grade readers’ theaters into full classroom plays with each student assigned a role and the class will work together to create costumes and a stage. Students will eventually perform for their families and other classrooms and the initiative has boosted students’ reading fluency, comprehension and confidence, while also bringing excitement and community into the classroom. “All of my students get a role, whether it's a main part or a narrator’s role, and we practice for about two months. We take time to make a stage, gather costumes and even have rehearsals closer to the date. Then we take an entire day and put on around five shows throughout the day that last around 10 minutes each. So far, we have put on “Rapunzel” and “Cinderella,” Steff continued. “Seeing this project grow over the last two years has been so exciting. Not only has this made my students more fluent and comprehensive readers, but it has also helped me in my teaching strategies as well. With the help of this generous grant, my class can now have sturdier props, real costumes, microphones and more reusable materials that can be saved year to year and give us extra time that can be focused towards the literacy aspect of the reader's theater while turning it into a play.” She said it was her first Best Practice Grant award and she appreciated JCESC, noting that the excitement and engagement in her young charges make it even more rewarding, while the grant not only supports the project but also reinforces the importance of hands-on learning. JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko congratulated the recipients for their engaging and forward-thinking projects. “The JCESC has supported efforts of our classroom teachers to bring forth insightful, innovative projects to fuel the students’ minds and improve upon their education, and the Best Practice Grants enable them to put those ideas into practice,” Dr. Kokiko added. “Every year, our district teachers continue to find unique methods for their classroom. We appreciate their hard work and are pleased to provide these opportunities and promote such creativity.” Southern Local has received 30 grants over the past decade and had three of six submissions approved this year. Other recipients included Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Indian Creek Local, Steubenville City and Toronto City school districts and Utica Shale Academy.(Photo Caption: Southern Local School District teachers received $700 Best Practice Grants from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center to expound upon learning in science and reading. Ron Sismondo, JCESC director of curriculum and professional development, is pictured with Southern Local Jr./Sr. High School teachers Amanda Wrobleski, at left, and Dr. Lisa Houck while Southern Local Elementary teacher Breann Steff is absent from the photo.)

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