to the United States to reunite with his mother . When school resumed , English teachers facilitated discussion of the book , and teachers from other departments brought classes to hear speakers from different countries tell their stories . The book was chosen by the World Language Department .
MLK students also have interdisciplinary experiences with the help of community partners . Nashville ’ s PENCIL Foundation provides connections between schools and many local businesses and higher education institutions , including the Tennessee State University Biology Department and Baptist Hospital for MLK . Some MLK students also participate in the School for Science & Math at Vanderbilt University , a four-year high school program providing weekly laboratory experience and instruction from scientists and researchers on the Vanderbilt campus . The program is free and available to a select group of highly qualified MNPS students each year .
Teacher collaboration is an important part of providing MLK ’ s academic opportunities . Teachers work together constantly , utilizing the school ’ s 45-minute lunch periods as well as time outside class – including weekend talks and departmental planning over summer break . Classrooms are clustered by subject area throughout the building , facilitating communication throughout the day .
Teachers at Martin Luther King Jr . Magnet can use professional development days for selective work offcampus , says Executive Principal Dr . Angela Carr . The English department has used this time to collaborate in a variety of ways , including collective grading of writing assessments .
Departments make use of an MLK policy allowing teachers to use professional development days for selective work off-campus , said Executive Principal Dr . Angela Carr . The English department , for example , has used this time to collaborate in a variety of ways , including collective grading of writing assessments . Teachers can also work together to plan units and grade certain assignments quickly .
“ If you stay on campus , you don ’ t always get much work done ,” Dr . Carr said .
With students across grades 7-12 , MLK makes use of its status as its own feeder school . For example , the entire math department meets regularly to work on vertical alignment of curriculum across all grades , adopting common practices for each course to help
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