Biochemistry minor Morgan Cuthbert makes it a priority to show his students how science and math skills translate in the real world. Case in point: His students sponsored a blood drive and displayed their projects at the event, which the Red Cross later borrowed to display at other drives.
With learning expectations clearly posted, Cuthbert’s classroom is an exercise in effective management. Based on student-directed learning, it also is centered on the students. Cuthbert uses “entry and exit” slips, “pair and share” peer-editing strategies, weekly review tests and remediation. Fully dedicated to leading his students to success, he administers a variety of assessments to gauge understanding, tutors outside of school hours, and shares his study guide with parents. Cuthbert also helped a student who was out sick catch up in math so that his parents did not have to pay for a tutor.
At 77 percent proficiency, his seventh-graders’ math scores are above the state average. Cuthbert’s class claims average gains higher than the school-wide average, and, according to a colleague, his students perform exceptionally well on common assessments administered for science. What’s more, 90 to 95 percent of his students meet or exceed the standards.
Science Learning Area Leader and School Improvement Team Member, Cuthbert was chosen by his superintendent to join the Scope and Sequence Team--a group charged with refining the district K-12 curriculum. He also leads the monthly science department meetings and works on the Maine state laptop initiative, in addition to serving in several professional leadership roles.
