Created by the team of teacher–writers behind PhD Science TEKS Edition, our in-person and virtual professional development (PD) sessions include options for teachers and leaders. These sessions ensure strong initial implementation as well as sustained success.
Come together with educators from your school or district for an in-person or virtual PD session. Great Minds facilitators will work with up to 50 participants for in-person sessions and up to 35 participants for virtual sessions.
Join educators from around the country for an open enrollment virtual PD session. Designed for 20–35 participants, sessions are led by two Great Minds facilitators.
Don't simply lecture about science. Lead students in driving their own exploration of science. Great Minds® is the exclusive provider of professional development written and delivered by the creators of PhD Science TEKS Edition and our team of teacher-writers have designed a two-step plan below that integrates both Professional Development (PD) and Personalized Coaching (PC) so all teachers can feel confident with the curriculum.
To map out a tailored professional learning plan that meets your teacher's needs, contact your Account Solutions Manager to map your pathway.
Foundational PD sessions build and deepen new educators' understanding of the curricular design and pedagogy of PhD Science TEKS Edition. Sessions help both teachers and science leaders learn how to implement PhD Science TEKS Edition with confidence.
This session focuses on the curriculum's learning design, approach to knowledge building, and lesson structure. These sessions detail how each module incorporates hands-on investigations, trade books, and fine art in an age-appropriate manner. Prepare to transition to a student-driven classroom with a focus on building lasting knowledge before implementing lessons in the classroom.
Download Launch PhD Science TEKS Edition Agenda (170 kb)
This session takes participants through the process to deepen understanding of a module, the science highlighted, and the knowledge and investigations progressions.
Download Module Level Study TEKS Edition Agenda (180 kb)
Educators learn the why behind the curriculum's learning design around phenomena and TEKS-aligned teaching and learning while building knowledge of the curriculum, its resources, and practical planning tools to gain confidence with implementation.
Download Focus on Instructional Techniques I TEKS Edition Agenda (217 kb)
Educators explore the importance of using collaborative conversations to advance science instruction and build student knowledge while developing tools and strategies to support the nuances of crucial curriculum components such as the anchor visuals.
Download Focus on Instructional Techniques II TEKS Edition Agenda (165 kb)
Seasoned practitioners who have completed the foundational courses can deepen their understanding of the curriculum and strengthen their implementation through this advanced coursework.
Leaders will learn to use an observation protocol to quickly collect data for trends in implementation across PhD Science TEKS Edition classrooms. Participants will also identify best practices for supporting teachers in facilitating science instruction in a student-driven classroom.
Download Lead PhD Science TEKS Edition Agenda (175 kb)
In this session, selected leaders participate in classroom observations with the PhD Science TEKS Edition team to identify trends of implementation to celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement. Participating in this session improves instructional leaders' ability to support effective classroom practice.
Download Guided Observations for Leaders Agenda (170 kb)
With a guidance of implementation support specialists, practice planning, preparing, and delivering a lesson to improve student outcomes and establish best practices for instruction.
Download Prepare a Lesson Collaboratively Agenda (191 kb)
See how the formative Checks for Understanding assessment tool can help you monitor learning as well as guide instructional decisions and pacing.
Download Planning and Preparing by Using Checks for Understanding (167 kb)