Professional Development

Tech Valley High offers a wide range of Professional Development opportunities for educators of all levels.

Program Studies

Visit TVHS and spend time learning about we use project-based learning and how you can begin implementing PBL in your school. Also includes a student-led panel discussion.

Snapshot Tours

This 90-minute, student-led tour offers visitors a brief overview of project-based learning and the learning environment at Tech Valley High School.

Teacher Residencies

These one and two-day offerings give teachers an in-depth experience of how to bring project-based learning to their schools. Residencies include collaboration time with teachers, student-led panels and follow-up opportunities after the initial visit.

Other Opportunities

Professional Learning Communities

Let Tech Valley High School guide your Professional Learning Community. PLCs allow teachers across disciplines, schools, and even districts to collaborate on a common topic of study. Our facilitator can collaborate with your PLC to set goals, guide the process and pursue next steps.

Data Inquiry

“Learning Organizations” use cycles of data gathering, analysis, and strategy application. Our facilitator can help to create a collaborative environment to engage in a data inquiry that is meaningful to classroom teachers and school leaders alike.

Non-evaluative observations: 

Instructional Rounds

In the same way that medical students observe and learn from the practice of other doctors through “rounds,” we provide opportunities for teachers and school leaders to engage in non-evaluative observations: Instructional Rounds. We will welcome educators to observe our classrooms and learn by analyzing the best practices that they see. Once those practices are incorporated into your instruction, our facilitator can coordinate an observation at your school so your colleagues can learn from you.

Authentic Collaboration

TVHS is eager to share its deep network with participating schools to help increase student engagement and enhance authentic learning opportunities. From student presentations across campuses to business partnerships, TVHS can help establish meaningful connections within and across communities.

TVHS is a NTN Demo Site

Tech Valley High School is a nationally-recognized New Tech Network demonstration site. It is committed to supporting schools in their implementation of student-centered teaching and learning environments.

Located on the campus SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Albany Nanotech Complex, TVHS is a regional resource for advancing education in the realm of project-based learning. PBL brings together intellectual inquiry, rigorous real-world standards and student engagement in relevant, meaningful work.

Outreach

TVHS also hosts a range of events with local partners.  Recent events have included:

• Code U – supporting educators who want to teach coding to their students
• Do You Arduino? – a crash course in hardware and coding the Arduino microcontroller
• MakeyMakey workshop (with NYSCATE) – using design thinking to integrate computing in the classroom
• Innovation Institute – a two-day program featuring tracks on PBL and using classroom technology