Professional Learning Communities, Collaborative Teams, and the IB

Audience: Diploma Programme
Session: Block 1: Friday 11:15 to 12:30, Room: Pacific I

Educators often place professional learning communities and collaborative teams at the heart of school improvement, IB teachers and students benefit greatly from providing time for such collaboration. During this time they establish SMART goals, create common assessments, analyze results, and use results to address shortcomings and capitalize on strengths. Participants in this session will explore examples of collaborative goals including those in the areas of student assessment and performance.


Sylvia Parra, Diploma Programme Coordinator; Assistant Principal, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science

Sylvia Parra is currently an Assistant Principal and Diploma Programme Coordinator at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science. From 1991-2001, she taught Spanish B and also served as a Teacher Training Workshop Leader from 1998-2001 at the United World College of the American West in New Mexico. Mrs Parra has international professional experience, having taught English in Spain. She was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States in 1961. She holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish and two master's degrees in Multicultural Education and Educational Leadership.


Organization website: http://www.sumneracademysabres.com

Mary Viveros, Principal, Sumner Academy of Arts and Science

Mary Viveros is currently the Head of School at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science. She began teaching science in 1990 and participated in staff development over the subsequent 7 years. In 1997, she also served as the assistant principal, a position she held until 2001. Dr Viveros is fluent in Spanish and holds a B.S. in Biology, a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction and a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Sumner Academy of Arts and Science has received several awards and recognitions under Dr Viveros' leadership.


Organization website: http://www.sumneracademysabres.com