Project Overview

Project: Fall 2014 College and Career Exploration
Teacher: Michelle Reffner
School: Fort Collins High School
Location: 3400 Lambkin Way
Start Date: 09/08/2014
End Date: 12/14/2014

Participant Totals
Student Participants: 4
Mentor Participants: 3

Survey Totals
Teacher Survey: 1
Student Surveys: 4
Mentor Surveys: 3

Teacher Project Survey Results

Please select those areas where you witnessed significant improvement for your participating students.
Yes No Area of Potential Impact
0 1 Improved math comprehension and ability
0 1 Increased registration for advanced math courses
0 1 Improved science comprehension and ability
0 1 Increased registration for advanced science courses
1 0 Improved Communication skills (Written or Oral)
1 0 Improved subject grades
0 1 Improved standardized test scores
1 0 Improved critical thinking skills
1 0 Improved teamwork
0 1 Improved school attendence
1 0 Increase in self-directed learning
1 0 Increase integration of knowledge across subject areas and interest areas
1 0 Increase in knowledge of the workplace
1 0 Increased desire to become a proactive learner
1 0 Increased desire to go to college
0 1 Other areas


Please describe additional areas that may have been impacted by this program.


Please indicate the percentage of your students who are actively moving in the direction of becoming proactive learners.
100%


I have a better understanding of the importance of doing well in math.
Overall they became more aware of options in their career and education and began pursing those.


How many students would you prefer to directly supervise in the program next year?
15


Please provide some tips on how we can partner with you to expand the program in your area.
More help with connecting with professionals in students' fields of interest through the mentors.


How would you rate the quality of the matches between your students and mentors overall on a scale of 1 - 5?
4


Please describe any changes you'd like to see that might further improve the quality of the matches.


Describe a few things you and your students and mentors were able to accomplish through this program that would have been difficult or impossible any other way.
The students had more contact with the "outside world"; other than academics and classwork.


How would you rate the quality of the help you received from the International Telementor Center staff throughout this project on a scale of 1 - 5?
5


How often were you able to communicate with the mentor group as a whole?
Weekly


How often were your students able to communicate, on average, with the mentors?
Weekly


Describe significant changes that you would like to see in the program or school environment that would improve the effectiveness of the program for you and your students. Please note who would be responsible for making those changes.
It has been difficult for me to help my students communicate on a regular basis as the class meets over their normal lunch hour. Next year the school has committed to making this contact time during regular class hours.


How has this program assisted you to use technology more effectively?
We have used conference calling and skyping.


Please note the impact this program has had on meeting state or national standards on a scale of 1 - 5. Where 1 is none and 5 is signifigant
5


Please describe this impact, if any, in your own words.
The students have mentor contact and guidance per national Gifted and Talented standards.


If "students at-risk" are defined as those who have low motivation to learn, what percentage of the students you supervised this year met this criterion.
50%


When you applied to be a teacher contact you were asked to meet the following requirements.
  1. All student/mentor commmunication is project based
  2. Participating students receive a subject grade and turn in work at least biweekly
  3. Teachers should communicate at least biweekly with the mentors
  4. Students should be self-selected for participation.
  5. Teachers should expect a high degree of accountability from their students.
  6. Teachers should respond to specific program problems within 48 hours
How many requirements you were able to meet this year.
4


Please describe which requirements, if any, helped you be successful in the program?
Students are motivated to be in the class and program.


Please describe which requirements, if any, were difficult to meet. Please note why these requirements were difficult to meet.
Communication piece and project pace were difficult due to the timing of the class in the school day. The school is working to adjust this.


If you were helping a new teacher start in this program, what advice would you offer that would aid this new teacher and his or her students to be successful participants?
Training in the process and program. Flexibility is needed in the beginning as all parties learn to incorporate this type of program into academics.


Do you plan to participate in the program next year?
Yes


Please estimate how many students in your school district or city could take advantage of this program next year?
30


What additional training would you recommend for teachers next year?
Training in the program and the process. Examples of good communication and projects exemplars would be helpful.