Teaching & Learning
The Office of Teaching and Learning is responsible for a broad range of areas, including: program and curriculum coordination, assessment, instruction, professional development, educational initiatives, research and grants.
OTL oversees curriculum and instruction for the Public Schools of Brookline. Each curriculum area is managed by a coordinator. The Learning Expectations are the curriculum guidelines for all content areas, Grades K-8. The Course Syllabi are detailed course outlines for all courses at Brookline High School. They help teachers, parents and students understand the anticipated results of instruction and study. Both the Learning Expectations and Course Syllabi respond to the question: what should students be able to do to demonstrate understanding and knowledge.
Programs
The Office of Teaching and Learning oversees a number of educational programs for the Public Schools of Brookline.
An important part of the continuous improvement of teaching and learning in the Public Schools of Brookline is the process of Program Review. Program Review aims to improve student achievement through a comprehensive and rigorous examination of our programs. The PreK–8 Mathematics Program Review commenced in January 2018. Please learn more about the Program Review process, including the committee, timeline, and progress. For more information, please contact the Interim Senior Director of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Joelle Pedersen (joelle_pedersen@psbma.org).
District Curriculum Accommodation Plan (DCAP)
The purpose of the District Curriculum Accommodation Plan (DCAP) is to describe the procedures, strategies, accommodations, interventions, and resources available within general education to meet the diverse academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and other learning needs of students. The DCAP is grounded in the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework and is intended to help educators and teams use data to identify student needs, implement appropriate supports, and monitor students’ responses to those supports. The DCAP is used by individual educators and collaborative teams, including Student Intervention Teams (SITs), to promote student success within the general education environment. You can review the DCAP here.
Professional development is embedded in the daily work of Brookline educators through participation in school-based collaborative learning groups, grade-level and department meetings, coordinator-designed activities, and committee work, as well as participation in seminars, institutes, and conferences sponsored by partner organizations.
For more information, please contact the Director of Professional Development, Joelle Pedersen.
The Library Department provides intellectual and physical access to information in all formats. Each library procures and processes print and non-print materials, maintains audio-visual equipment, subscribes to on-line databases, and functions as the school based information center. Library collections and instruction are integrated into the curriculum and teaches students strategies to access and evaluate information sources and technologies. Librarians organize school-based reading events, author visits, public library orientation, student and parent book groups and media literacy classes. Librarians and instructional staff collaborate on collection development that supports the curriculum, enriches instruction for all learners, and develops an appreciation for life-long learning.
Student Teaching, Pre-Practicum, Practicum, and Internship Positions
The form linked here should be completed by all candidates for student teaching, pre-practicum, practicum, and internship positions within the Public Schools of Brookline. Questions about this form for candidates with placements in general education should be directed to Joelle Pedersen, Senior Director of Teaching and Learning (joelle_pedersen@psbma.org). Questions about this form for candidates with placements in Student Services should be directed to Matt DuBois, Senior Director of Clinical Services (matthew_dubois@psbma.org).
A link to all onboarding paperwork can also be found here.
Contact Us
- Robin Benoit, Ph.D.
Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
(617) 730-2432 - Joelle Pedersen, Ph.D.
Interim Senior Director of Teaching and Learning
(617) 730-2354 - Mindy Paulo
Director of English Learner Education (ELE)
(617) 264-6413 - Malcolm Cawthorne
Director of METCO
(617) 730-2470 - Scott Moore
Director of Educational Technology and Libraries
(617) 713-5134