Thank you for your participation in Project WEST (Water, the Environment, Science and Teaching).  The following is a list of expectations to be met by the WEST lead teachers.

Lead teachers participating in the WEST program are expected to:

1.  Establish a teaching partnership with their WEST fellow.  Lesson plans, activities, labs, experiments and field trips should be planned and executed as a team. 

2.  Serve as a mentor to WEST fellow(s) in terms of teaching methodologies, school policies, and classroom management skills.

3.  Assist WEST fellow(s) in developing lesson plans, materials and field trips that meet state core curriculum requirements and encompass the themes of water and the environment.

4.  Meet with WEST fellow(s) on a weekly basis to plan activities and evaluate partnership dynamics. 

5.  Attend the annual WEST Summer Workshop August 16 and 17, 2007.

6.  Attend the WEST Fall Retreat September 14 and 15.  WEST will pay substitute teacher expenses on September 14.

7.  Attend WEST teacher meetings (~2 per year).

8.  Participate in WEST evaluation activities.

9.  Utilize WEST fellow(s) as in-house scientists and not as teacher’s aides.

In exchange for participation in the WEST program, the lead teacher will:

1.  Have a graduate student fellow to help plan activities, supply new ideas and content information, carry out labs and field trips, and interact with students approximately 10 hours a week.  Lead teachers have the option of working one-on-one with the fellow or collaborating with other teachers in the school.

2.  Receive an annual stipend of $2000.00 to be paid in two installments at the end of each semester.

3.  Have access to a fund for classroom supplies, materials, and field trips that are conducted in collaboration with WEST fellows.

4.  Have the opportunity to apply for a WEST subsidy for travel to national educational or scientific meetings  (e.g. NSTA, GSA).

5.  Receive one in-service credit for participation in the WEST Summer Workshop, one credit for participating in the WEST Fall Retreat, and one credit for participation in WEST throughout the year.

6.  Receive reimbursement for membership in the National Science Teachers Association.

7.  Have a highly trained and enthusiastic scientist available in the classroom to help instill in students a sense of wonder and excitement about scientific discovery.