Third Thursday Community Program

January’s Third Thursday Community Program was a lively introduction to the new Freshman Interdisciplinary Cohort Learning model of teaching developed by the San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD). Attendees heard from Jessica Coulson, Coordinator of Educational Services for SRVUSD, teacher/librarian Kerry Pike Knapp, and teacher Michelle Wilson about how this interdisciplinary teaching approach is designed to build a foundation for “deep learning” while fostering curiosity and a joy of learning in the participating students. They noted that although the program required extra time and work to coordinate classes across subjects, all were very excited about how the approach fostered building a community of students that worked together toward solving problems. Ten students from last year’s cohort were also present to answer attendees’ questions, and clearly showed their enthusiasm for their experience with the teaching model.

Cohort Learning was implemented for the first time during the past school year at Dougherty Valley High School (DVHS) with a small group of freshmen; this school year a freshman group at Monte Vista is experiencing the approach along with a new freshman group at DVHS.

Thanks to the speakers from SRVUSD and the ten DVHS students for an interesting and inspiring evening!