enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies (eMINTS)

The eMINTS (enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies) program is a professional development intervention for teams of educators, especially those serving high-need students in grades 7 and 8. The program provides teachers with more than 250 hours of professional development spanning two years, including 126 hours of formal professional development in Year 1 and additional sessions in Year 2, plus monthly classroom visits and on-site coaching (9-10 sessions totaling about 14 hours). Teachers learn to design high-quality inquiry-based lesson plans, implement inquiry-based learning strategies, build community among teachers and students, and integrate technology into classroom instruction. The program is based on four research-based components: inquiry-based learning, high-quality lesson design, community of learners, and technology integration. A certified eMINTS instructional specialist (eIS) provides formal and individualized professional development to teachers and communicates with principals and technology coordinators. Teachers also develop classroom websites and participate in within-building communities of practice.