On January 11, 2011 the Central Cambria School District received an official letter from ASSET Inc., Pittsburgh, PA notifying them that the Investing In Innovation i3 Grant application submitted by Dr. Luke Lansberry was accepted and approved! Achieving Student Success Through Excellence in Teaching (ASSET Inc.) obtained $26 Million in Grant Money from the U.S. Department of Education to be used for creating a National Model for teaching in Pennsylvania Schools. “The Cambria Elementary faculty is committed to working closely with Dr. Lansberry and ASSET Inc. to develop a model for the nation at Cambria Elementary,” said Jo-Ann Semko, Central Cambria Education Association President. The value of this five year i3 Grant opportunity is estimated to be worth approximately $20,815.00 per teacher. Total estimated i3 Grant value: $541,190.00.
As part of ASSET’s Investing in Innovation i3 Grant initiative, Dr. Lansberry and teachers at Cambria Elementary will engage in a five-year journey to enhance teacher effectiveness and student achievement. All costs associated with the Advanced Professional Development Program will be paid for through the i3 Grant. Advanced Professional Development (PD) Program Benefits that Cambria Elementary will receive include:
- Ongoing, higher level PD for all science teachers at Cambria Elementary
- Curriculum Alignment Planning Services (CAPS)
- Development of lead teachers and coaches who can facilitate PD within the Central Cambria School District
- Teacher participation in Institutes for Inquiry, Assessment, Science & Literacy and Foundations for Teaching Inquiry-Based Mathematics
- Increased teacher confidence and effectiveness
- Improved student achievement and self-confidence
- Access to ASSET membership for Jackson Elementary and Central Cambria Middle School
“It is an outstanding honor for us to receive the i3 grant, but it is also a tremendous responsibility because we know, quite literally, that the nation is watching,” said Dr. Lansberry, Principal and Elementary Curriculum Director at Cambria Elementary.
