Martha Finnegan

Recognizing that teachers in all subjects must collaborate to improve literacy skills, Ms. Finnegan, Ms. Hravatic, and Ms. Hart develop vertical teams of language arts and science teachers to refine curriculum and instruction. Language arts teachers from elementary through high school collaborate with science teachers to improve literacy skills by increasing technical reading and writing using high interest science materials and inquiry-based learning. The science vertical team, composed of teachers from grades three through eight, develops a continuum of academic skills and works to refine instruction and communication among teachers. To expand teachers’ content knowledge and increase student achievement, the vertical teams invite local universities and community science outreach programs to participate in their work.