Learning that takes place during the school day at P.S. 172 is reinforced in an after-school program that focuses on reading and theater arts, including creative dramatics and puppetry. This is particularly helpful to LEP students whose English-speaking skills are strengthened through songs, plays, and communication with other students. The energetic P.S. 172 faculty includes both veteran and new teachers who are continually searching for ways to adapt and improve instruction. Jackie Mammolito, a master teacher and full-time staff development specialist, spends several days in classrooms with each new teacher, mentoring and helping them design instruction that uses their teaching style strengths to serve students well. She is also available to support seasoned teachers, demonstrating new or innovative instructional techniques and adapting instruction to fully support students' academic progress.
Professional development encourages teachers to learn from one another.
In these discussions, staff members discuss their shared expectations for students and the issues that arise at each grade level. Throughout the year, teachers observe students and trade examples of their work, a process that increases continuity across classrooms. Teachers attend inservices offered by the school and district and take courses from area universities. In some cases, the universities come to the school. Teachers from the other grades have release time to observe those lessons and to spend additional consultation time with the professor.