Topeka Public Schools utilizes teaching methods created by
Kagan Professional Development in each of our classrooms throughout the
district, from pre-school through 12th grade. These teaching methods
are designed to engage students in the learning process, through everything
from the way desks are arranged to the way students respond to a teacher’s
questions. The Kagan method is research-based and has proven to be a highly
effective way to increase student participation and achievement.
Topeka Public Schools is proud to announce that two of our
teachers have been selected to become Kagan trainers. Sara Gering and Lauren
Peel, along with just 18 other educators, were selected out of hundreds of
applicants from across the nation. The
utilization of Kagan Cooperative Learning is the district’s longest-running
initiative and we’re thrilled to have not just one, but two of our educators accepted into the coveted program this year.
Topeka Public Schools already has one Kagan Associate
National Trainer on staff: Angela Dick. When she’s not serving the district as
Cooperative Learning Coordinator, Angela trains fellow educators on the use of
Kagan methods, both within the district and throughout the nation. In addition
to providing training and assistance to our teachers, Angela has traveled the
country extensively over the past four summers to educate teachers in Kagan
practices. She is extremely well-versed in cooperative learning methods and
will be able to help guide Sara and Lauren in their new roles.
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| Angela Dick |
Sara Gering, a Literacy Coach at Highland Park High School,
will become a Kagan School Level Trainer once she completes a week-long
training in July. This will prepare her to train fellow HPHS teachers to use
the Kagan teaching methods. “While a classroom
teacher, Sara used Kagan structures for active engagement flawlessly.
Since transitioning to her role as a literacy coach, implementation at HPHS has
skyrocketed under her continual support and leadership. Sara is not just
a building level leader when it comes to effective instruction, but a district
leader as well, being called on frequently to provide professional development
on a variety of topics,” Angela said.
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| Sara Gering |
Lauren Peel, a Language Arts Teacher at Eisenhower Middle
School, will become a Kagan Associate National Trainer and will be qualified to
train as many as 200 TPS certified staff members each year. She had applied to
become a Kagan School Level Trainer, was accepted into the program, and then
received a call inviting her to become an Associate National Trainer. Once
Lauren completes her training with Kagan Professional Development, she will be
called upon to present Kagan methods to teachers across the country and will
help Angela provide this training to TPS staff. “Lauren's passion for helping students and
providing effective instruction are evident the first time you meet her,”
Angela said of Lauren. “She uses Kagan
structures seamlessly throughout every lesson and while she provides
professional development for staff district-wide. Lauren provides phenomenal
in-building support for her colleagues by coaching them and leading them
through learning new Kagan structures.” With the addition of Lauren Peel as an
Associate National Trainer, Topeka Public Schools can now proudly say that we
employ more Associate National Trainers than any other school district.
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| Lauren Peel |
Sara and Lauren will continue to serve Topeka Public Schools in their
existing roles. They will function as Kagan trainers outside of their duty time
with the district.
Congratulations, Sara and Lauren!
For more information about Kagan Structures, visit http://www.kaganonline.com/
