Third-grade teacher Jennifer Brodeur helps young students direct their own learning at Hunters Creek Elementary School in Jacksonville. She employs a workshop model in which she poses focused questions designed to deepen students' investigations of the subject; models strategies or concepts for students to emulate; engages students in independent and small group work; and monitors their progress. Mrs. Brodeur participates in the Onslow County Teacher Academy, a constructivist, research-based model for professional development that provides time during the school day for teachers to meet and reflect upon their learning and that of their students, observe colleagues, and link theory with practice. A National Board Certified teacher, Mrs. Brodeur is her school's grade-level chair as well as chair of the school's Building Leadership Team. She has presented math and literacy strategies at numerous state-level conferences.
