Excellence and Equity: A Whole School Three-Year Middle Years Programme

Audience: Middle Years Programme
Session: Block 2: Friday 2:00 to 3:15, Room: Bayview Room B

In this session, presenters will provide strategies for differentiation, the integration of technology, and staff development to help students embrace the IB Learner Profile. Methods and practices will be presented that incorporate the MYP philosophy into an effective whole-school model. The academically diverse needs of every learner including special education, ESOL, accelerated, and on-grade level students will be addressed. Participants will see examples of how access to the rigorous and enriching opportunities of our Middle Years Programme is provided equitably.


Lis Caison, MYP Coordinator, The Silver Spring International Middle School

Lis has traveled extensively as a child, living for extended periods in Germany, France, Taiwan, and the US, where she attended local or international schools. She also has visited North America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Repeated and prolonged exposure to a wide range of cultures and subsequent interaction with many people from many places has immeasurably enriched Lis' life, broadening her outlook. She was provided opportunities to share that perspective to others through post-secondary training in the arts, social science, and education. Through her experience with the IB, her sphere of influence has expanded to include today's educators and those who will shape tomorrow.


Organization website: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/

Becky Joseph, Resource Teacher for Special Education , The Silver Spring International Middle School

Becky is currently the head of the Special Education Department at Silver Spring International Middle School. At Silver Spring International, she has always been a special educator co-teaching English, Math, Social Studies, and Reading. She has also taught a self-contained Reading, Resource, and Science course. This is Becky's sixth year at the school, and she has always been an active participant and avid supporter of the inclusive Middle Years Programme at Silver Spring International.


Organization website: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/

Gabrielle Morcate, Art Educator, The Silver Spring International Middle School

Gabrielle is an art educator who incorporates the MYP into every unit that she creates. Through art, she teaches many other subjects such as history, science, and math. Doing this not only helps the students to learn many concepts, but it also helps them effectively and to creatively solve problems. Gabrielle's class is a positive learning environment where students can express themselves artistically, and train themselves to be lifelong learners.


Organization website: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/

Wes Yokoyama, U.S. History Teacher, The Silver Spring International Middle School

Wes has 12 years of experience teaching, the past 8 of which at Silver Spring International Middle School (SSIMS). While at SSIMS, he has received IB Level 1, 2, and 3 training in both Humanities and Technology. As a member of the MYP steering committee, he has helped incorporate IB principles into the curriculum as a whole school model. In addition, Wes has had extensive involvement in the eighth grade "passion project," a self-selected culminating project in the three-year Middle Years Programme. He holds a M.A. in Education Policy from the University of Maryland and a B.A. from Haverford College.