Blue Springs Elementary teachers have started the year strong with instructional practices and expectations! Every child, every opportunity, every day!

One thing about me? I love every single thing about TASPA, especially our students. These stars deserved every bit of this summer learning celebration!!

📸 all smiles at @TASPA_TCS summer learning day 1!

It’s Earth Day! Today, @TASPA_TCS 21st CCLC extended day students celebrated by planting a Pink Dogwood tree in front of the school!

My friend just posted her daughter’s science fair project that got her kicked out of the science fair and I’m ☠️☠️☠️

The building process for our @infento electric life-size vehicles has begun! These Project Impact girls are rockstar builders! #GirlsInSTEM

Annie came to our school as a six-year-old. She struggled with behaviors, making friends, and pretty much in all academic areas. Annie had been abused and neglected. She had seen so many bad things that we hope no child ever has to see. We had a very difficult time managing Annie’s behaviors. She used inappropriate language, she pushed and shoved, and she regularly eloped from the classroom and our school. Most of our strategies, interventions, and methods were not successful. After a while, we noticed that she had a real gift for making change. Nobody was sure how she picked up this skill, but she really was good at it. Our cafeteria staff recruited Annie to help with making change at breakfast before school. After a few weeks, she was promoted to coordinator of biscuit distribution (she used the large tongs to place a biscuit on each student’s tray). The cafeteria staff provided her with her own customized uniform consisting of a hair net, an apron that was about 10 sizes too big with her name on it, and a box of clear plastic gloves. After a month on the job, they allowed Annie to pick the radio station that they listened to while working. They quickly learned that beyond making change, Annie had some great dance moves and could really keep the beat. She became a full-fledged member of our cafeteria staff team. It didn’t take long for our school PTO/boosters to take notice of the kitchen star. One of the mom’s knew about Annie’s struggles and also about her ability to make change. They too recruited Annie. She was tasked with helping run the school store that was open during lunchtime. They relied on her change making abilities. The boosters made Annie a uniform too. It was a shirt that was bedazzled with the words “Annie, Honorary Booster Board Member”. Annie became the youngest member of the booster sorority. Annie’s negative behaviors reduced significantly. She was a totally different child in the most positive of ways. One day, she came to visit me in my office. Annie said that she was feeling something. I was worried that she was going to throw up, so I quickly ran to get my trashcan. She said that it didn’t feel like throwing up, it was something different. Annie said that it was a tingly feeling in her belly and in her chest. She also showed me lots of goosebumps on her arms. After a moment, I realized what Annie was feeling. It was love, kindness, pride, success, and hope. She had never felt these feelings before. Annie left my office and I started to tear up. It truly takes a village. Keep doing whatever it takes for kids! It is so worth it! Join us at the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group: Facebook.com/groups/maslowbe….

Our fifth graders are preparing for the @UofAlabama robotics competition today! @TheSabanCenter #SetTheFoundation #StemChallenge #STEMStop #SabanSTEMstop #SabanCenter #STEMchallenge #ScienceChallenge

Today in Ms. Ley’s class, TASPA’s extended day students created marble runs and used the engineering design process to improve their designs. These innovators can’t wait for @TheSabanCenter to open! #SetTheFoundation #StemChallenge #STEMStop #SabanSTEMstop #SabanCenter

Team AquaPhor won the Best Team Spirit Award for their Future City Competition project! #amazingtothecore

Team CHACS won the People’s Choice Award for their Future City Competition project- specifically for their futuristic and innovative idea of heated/cooling, motion sensored sidewalks! #amazingtothecore

#STEM learning isn’t just the robots & coding & expensive resources… It’s also about relationships kids build with each other & building real-world relevant connections to the content. #DailySTEM

IT’S FUTURE CITY COMPETITION DAY! Join me in wishing these @TASPA_TCS and @emsstampede girls all the luck! #amazingtothecore

Wishing Ms. Terry the happiest of birthdays! 🎂 Her visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing STEM education in Alabama inspire us all. Here's to another year of making a positive impact! #SabanCenter #HappyBirthday #MsTerryBirthday

Teaching my students how to create models to 3D print this week. Please say a prayer for my sanity 🫣😂

Meet Rachel Hill, a fourth-grade teacher who impacts curious students every day by teaching them about STEM education. Join Rachel & help Saban Center set the foundation and shape the next generation by donating at sabancenter.org/donate today!✨ #SetTheFoundation #STEM #Donate

Two schools, one vision: empowering girls in STEM. @TASPA_TCS and @emsstampede Project Impact girls started the research portion of their Future City Competition projects today! Exciting things to come!!

The Tuscaloosa City Schools recently was recognized with a national award for its summer learning program! Read more Here:➡️ow.ly/NbGz50POKiw #amazingtothecore @MikeDaria @tidecam @LBlevins_ @ezigbo_ @AngieFMorrison @bamaEMW @MarvinLLucas @tuscaloosacity @wvua23 @WVTM13