James H. Boyd Intermediate School teacher Renee Spanos, was awarded a $10,000 ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) Teacher Impact Grant back in July to enhance the elementary STEM program for students in kindergarten through fifth-grade. As part of the grant program, Ms. Spanos attended a day filled with purposeful professional development in Washington D.C. on Nov. 16.

Ms. Spanos participated in an array of workshops, learning from other teacher leaders along the way. This included the unique opportunity to be a part of a “Tea with Teachers” roundtable discussion with Secretary of Education, Dr. John King. The group shared successes of the grant, implementation efforts and the importance of teacher leadership. Ms. Spanos also engaged in conversations with other grantees and spoke about the current education policy and communications effort.  

“It was an exciting experience,” she said.