Room: Ohio
presented by Linda Blair, Diploma Programme Coordinator, Thomas Alva Edison High School
Anne Stowe, Diploma Programme Coordinator, South Lakes High School
Cheryl Knutsen, Director of Student Services, Thomas Alva Edison High School
Shannon Chastain-Tully, Director of Student Services, South Lakes High School
Just as a sound structural framework supports the elements of a house, the 4 X 4 block schedule sustains and strengthens the implementation of the IB Diploma Programme. Two forms of block scheduling, alternating day and modified 4 X 4, are used successfully in two suburban, ethnically and economically diverse public high schools. After an overview of the two formats that blend IB opportunities for students with some scheduling dilemmas for the guidance departments, a discussion will ensue among session participants about ways to incorporate the seemingly disparate elements of the block schedule and IB requirements.
Linda Blair, Diploma Programme Coordinator, Thomas Alva Edison High School
Linda Blair is the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator at Thomas Alva Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where she also teaches theory of knowledge. She is an assistant examiner for English A1 and has also taught English A1. She holds a Ph.D. in American Literature from The George Washington University.
Anne Stowe, Diploma Programme Coordinator, South Lakes High School
Anne Stowe is the IB Diploma Coordinator at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia. She holds a B.S. Ed. from Central Missouri State University and a M.S. Ed. from Shenandoah University. Her endorsements include Administration and Supervision K-12, Gifted Education, Chemistry and Biology. In addition to teaching, she served as Science Curriculum Specialist and the President of Virginia Association of Science Teachers.
Cheryl Knutsen, Director of Student Services, Thomas Alva Edison High School
Cheryl Knutsen is Director of Student Services at Thomas Alva Edison High School in Alexandria, Virginia. Prior to her current position, she served as a counselor at Edison High School for over 15 years. Ms Knutsen was a member of the initial task force on the research and implementation of the 4 X 4 and was witness to the master schedule implications of transitioning from a traditional schedule to the current 4 X 4.
Shannon Chastain-Tully, Director of Student Services, South Lakes High School
Shannon Chastain-Tully is the Director of Student Services at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia. She has a B.A. in Theatre and Speech Communications from the University of Evansville, Indiana, a M.Ed. in School Counseling from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia and an endorsement in School Administration from the University of Virginia. She is the administrator for the IB Diploma Programme.
