Beginning in 2018-2019, Ursuline has offered up to three Innovation Time Grants per school year.

Because time is one commodity that is hard to come by, teachers accepted into the program are given a single “release” period for the school year of their grant. Teaching one less class allows grantees to use that release time to pursue a project that will allow research and development of innovative education practices.

Applicants describe the proposed innovation, demonstrate a clear link to the UA Strategic Roadmap, and offer suggestions for how the idea or project could be shared with other teachers in their department and beyond to benefit even more students. Applicants must also identify how they will evaluate their success.

Innovative Time Grants are unique to UA — it is time set aside for teachers to research and develop a particular innovative idea. The time grants focus on innovative practices, and many of these have been linked with student-centered/driven learning. The grants encourage faculty to research and implement shifts in education, specifically toward a more student-driven learning model.  

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Engineering Design Innovation is taught by Computer Science teachers Eve Juarez and Ojani Eguia.

Each time a team taught class meets, all teachers are in the classroom. Students see the 21st-century skills of collaboration, creativity, and communication in action. And with the freedom to follow a creative format, teachers find new pathways for educating the whole student.

Projects can become more innovative. In Engineering Design Innovation, for example, coursework combines computer science, science, and math. In co-taught classes, each teacher plays to his or her strength, and the unique collaboration offers a one-of-a-kind benefit for every kind of student.

Teachers teach each other through educator showcases on topics ranging from strategies for a hybrid classroom to learning about learning.

2020-2021 Topics

• Best Practices in Technology
• Teaching about Learning
• Innovation Showcase

2019-2020 Topics

• Creating Meaning E-Days
• Building Student Relationships

2018-2019 Topics

• Providing Feedback
• Building Class Relationships
• Innovation Showcase

2017-2018 Topics

• Creating Opportunity for Reflection
• Effective Teaching Practices
• Student Driven Practices

Ursuline Academy is a school with a technology focus.

It embodies this focus through the meaningful integration of technology into the academic curriculum and in the active shaping of its students as digital citizens. Students and employees are educated in the appropriate use of technology and principles of responsible digital citizenship are reinforced through school policies. With a strong commitment to technology training for all teachers, Ursuline encourages creative and innovative uses of digital resources in the classroom.

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