I am a fellow with the University of Illinois Physics and Secondary Schools partnership. As a member of cohort 1, I am tasked with leading daily workshops during our week long summer institutes in June and August. This year, we added 25 more teachers of physics across the state. More than half are the only physics teacher at their school and half are trained in an area other than physics. Experience ranges from 5-35 years.
In my workshops, I share strategies grounded in research to build student problem solving skills. This year, I added vertical white boarding along with other small moves from Building Thinking Classrooms. This session was the final day of the program and it was AMAZING! Not only were ALL the participants highly engaged, the primary physics professor was so excited he was standing on a table to get pictures.
Up next, I’ll be presenting a poster and a talk at the National American Association of Physics Teachers meeting in Sacramento, followed by an invited talk for the Center for Success in High Needs Schools annual conference, then one more week at UIUC!
Marianna Ruggerio
Marianna Ruggerio teaches physics and AP physics at Auburn High School and is an adjunct professor at Rockford University. She is an active member of the American Association of Physics Teachers and a teacher-leader with the University of Illinois Physics and Secondary Schools Partnership Program.