Colbert Elem. class to be part of national video series

A national organization from Washington, D.C., plans to shoot a lesson at the school on Sept. 3. The video, produced by the Center for Comprehensive School Reform Improvement, will highlight a math initiative at Colbert Elementary, specifically the work of Patti Huberty.

“This will be shown in California, Washington, D.C. — all around,” Madison County schools superintendent Dr. Mitch McGhee said during last week’s school board meeting.

Huberty, who works at Colbert via the University of Georgia, is an instructional coach the school landed thanks to a teacher quality grant.

Colbert Elementary principal Billy Heaton said the national organization chose to document one elementary school across the nation taking such steps to enhance math instruction.

“They had heard — I guess through educational channels — that Patti was here working with our faculty … Because of that we get to be on the video, so we’re really excited about that.”

Though students won’t be the focal point of the video, parents have received the proper permission slips for their children to be filmed.

The central office was pleased to hear one of its schools would serve as the backdrop of this video.

“It’s great; It’s neat,” associate superintendent Allen McCannon said. “Yeah, we’re really excited. We’re very fortunate to have Mrs. Huberty. She’s a great teacher.”

McCannon said Colbert is to be commended for its commitment to improving math.

After all, it was the school that applied for the grant to bring Huberty to Colbert.

“Colbert really over the last few years has really tried to take a big initiative in math … It’s a big hats-off to Colbert,” McCannon said.

The lesson, which will cover fractions, will be filmed around 8:15 a.m. in a fifth grade classroom.

Colbert Elementary is plenty excited.

“It’s awesome,” Heaton said. “We’re the only elementary school that will be in this video series. We think it’s great. We’re looking forward to being able to use it with the rest of our faculty. Patti is a great math instructor.”