A critical component of Project Lead The Way ^® is its teacher professional development model, which provides intensive and comprehensive training to teachers involved with PLTW, Inc.. Significant attention is paid to assessing teachers’ readiness for training. Teachers who may not be ready for the core training (provided by PLTW, Inc. during a summer institute) receive suggestions on how they can acquire the background knowledge they need. Ongoing training supports the teachers as they implement the program and helps them to improve their skills.

Another key to the program’s success is awareness. PLTW, Inc. keeps school counselors informed about the programs benefits, as well as various technology jobs and careers available to students who enter the field after graduating from high school. PLTW, Inc. holds a conference specifically for guidance counselors and provides them with materials, such as brochures and videos, to use with students and their parents.

Information for upcoming conference dates, check the PLTW, Inc. Web site at www.pltw.org/counmain.shtml.

The conference program will feature a program update by PLTW, Inc. leaders, student software demonstrations, panel discussions, counselor discussions and wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Project Lead The Way ^® program.

For more information please contact Carolyn Helm, carolyn.helm@sreb.org or Kenneth Mason, kenneth.mason@sreb.org.