On Nov. 3, the Oneida-Herkimer-Madison (OHM) BOCES welcomed the Utica City School District elementary Academic Intervention Services (AIS) math and reading teachers for a full day of collaborative professional learning during the district's Superintendent's Day. Hosted by the Program and Professional Learning (PPL) Department, the sessions focused on strengthening instructional practices, analyzing student performance and using assessment data to inform targeted interventions.
OHM BOCES Curriculum Specialists Eileen Bates and Michelle Gaspa co-facilitated a professional learning experience for the district's AIS math teachers titled Ensuring Student Learning and Success. At the same time, Dennis Hahn, Utica City School District AIS Facilitator, and Veronica Vecic, OHM BOCES Curriculum Specialist, co-facilitated Success by Design: Connections Make Meaningful Impact for elementary AIS reading teachers.
In the Overlook Room, AIS math teachers engaged in an in-depth examination of historical standardized assessment trends and current student work. Through collaborative reading, reflection and problem-solving, participants unpacked the New York State Mathematics Learning Standards and explored connections between standards, instructional resources and intervention practices to strengthen consistency and rigor across classrooms.
In the Oneida Room, AIS reading teachers participated in interactive roundtable discussions, exploring how assessment and instructional resources work together to support intentional, data-informed reading intervention. Participants examined individual student assessment results, collaborated with colleagues from their respective schools to analyze building-level data and participated in a gallery walk to identify patterns and instructional priorities across the district. Using a jigsaw puzzle as the central theme, the session emphasized how individual instructional practices, assessment tools and collaborative efforts fit together to create a comprehensive system of reading support.
Together, these professional learning experiences reinforced the importance of collaboration, evidence-based decision-making and intentional instructional planning in supporting student achievement. By providing dedicated opportunities for teachers to analyze data, deepen their understanding of instructional resources and collaborate across schools, OHM BOCES and the Utica City School District demonstrated their shared commitment to continuous professional growth and improved outcomes for all learners.
