Middle, High School Teachers Benefit from Thinking Maps Training at A&M International

Local middle and high school teachers will soon receive training at Texas A&M International University that will equip them with the skills necessary to better prepare students for college.

The Thinking Maps Training, designed to use visual training tools that encourage higher order thinking, is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in Pellegrino Hall, room 201.

The training will be presented by Kevin Dougherty, marketing representative and consultant for Innovative Learning Group, a nation-wide educational consulting firm, and is an initiative of the Pre-College Outreach Center housed at A&M International.

The Pre-College Outreach Center is dedicated to getting Texans academically prepared and is part of the State GEAR UP project, the national grant aimed at preparing students for college.

Center Director Yvette E. Sanchez said the Thinking Maps method helps students to engage in higher level thinking through maps, jigsaw puzzles and numerous activities that allow them to visualize problem solving.

"We will show teachers how to connect the Thinking Maps concept to the curriculum," Sanchez said, "This type of training has been previously available to Gifted and Talented (GT) teachers but we are now making this available to all teachers."

Middle schools participating in the training include Christen, Salvador Garcia, United South, and Hebbronville Junior High. High schools include Martin, United South, and Hebbronville.

Dougherty, the presenter, has a B.A. in multicultural education from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst and an M. Ed. in education administration from the University of Massachusetts/Lowell. A classroom teacher for 10 years, Dougherty taught third through sixth grade in Massachusetts and Texas. Prior to joining Innovative Learning Group as their Texas marketing representative and consultant, Dougherty was a campus assistant principal and principal in the Houston and Dallas areas.

For further information, please contact Sanchez-Soto at 326-2800. University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu