SNMC Vertical Team

Mission Statement: The Southern Nevada Vertical Team shares a common vision to be a catalyst for implementing change through invigorating collaboration and innovative strategies to increase student achievement in mathematics.

The Southern Nevada Vertical Team first met during the 2007-2008 Clark County school year. We were able to create a mission statement and vision statement through the collaboration we were able to acheive in a short amount of time. While we were unable to continue our efforts the following year, we would like to continue on for the 2009-2010 year. We are currently seeking 7 teachers to join us on our team. Deadline for applications is June 30th, 2009.

Participants will each receive

Participant requirements

Meeting Location, Dates & Times

  • Gift of participation: $500 - to be paid after attendance at all meetings
  • Supplies for meetings
  • Refreshments
  • Must currently be teaching mathematics in a CCSD classroom, grades 5-12
  • Commit to participate in four Saturday meetings.
  • Read a selected professional development guidebook over the summer to prepare for the sessions next year.
  • Be a current SNMC Member.
  • Meeting dates a locations will be determined at the beginning of the school year.
  • Times:  8:00am-4:00pm unless otherwise decided.

Activity Description:
The four cornerstones for an AP vertical team are coherence, commitment, collegiality, and collaboration.  These ideas closely follow the spirit of SNMC.  The purpose of these meetings will be to build a team with the purpose of looking at mathematical pedagogy to bring rigor and continuity between and within our own courses.  By using the model already in place by the AP program, we will bring rich discussions and ideas back to our own lessons.

To create a spirit of lightness, friendship, and team spirit, breakfast and lunch will be provided and held together each meeting.  This will allow team members to talk on a personal level and get to know each other intimately.  During the meetings team building activities will be offered to further strengthen this bond.  The goal will be to create relationships beyond the vertical team meetings to make a lasting connections. 

Our vertical team will do math together, work on similar problems that can be approached throughout the curriculum, and discuss how those problems are used with their own students using examples of their work.  SNMC has started using this same idea in our “Pizza, Pop, & Problems” general meetings.  The examples from the vertical team collaboration can help facilitate this process.  SNMC will also benefit from the rich ideas, book reviews, and resources that can be written up for the newsletter.  To help with implementation of these activities, funds have been requested in this grant to purchase relevant supplies.

  Click here for the application.

Email Ricci Slobodnik with questions.