East Hampton Teacher Honored for Curriculum Flip

This school year, an East Hampton science teacher took the traditional classroom learning environment and flipped it — literally.

Chris Merkert, the head of the science department, reinvented his teaching curriculum through the use of technology that's new to East Hampton schools. Flipped Teaching takes the lecturing component out of the classroom and onto short videos students watch from home over the Internet to allow for more hands-on instruction during class.

Merkert's passion and initiative led to him being named for a prestigious Science Teachers Association of New York honor. He received the STANYS Science Teacher of the Year Award for the Suffolk County region at a ceremony in Hauppauge on May 21.

Flipped Teaching, Merkert said, doesn't just describe the structure of the classroom, but it is a technique used in the context of your pedagogy.

Traditional classroom lectures are given through podcasts — usually 10 minutes or less — that Merkert creates and students access from home. Classroom time is spent doing projects, where Merkert acts as a resource for his students.

"Classroom time is spent with what they need help with instead of me telling them how to learn," Merkert said. "The key is to talk with every kid every day," he said.

Chromebooks, which the district purchased for 30 students earlier this spring, allow for instant Internet access in the classroom. Textbooks have nearly become a thing of the past.

Homework is also a collaborative effort, completed online within teams. Parents can log-on and check up their child's progress on Earth Science labs.

Throughout his 17 years as a teacher, Merkert said he has always been looking for new ways to help his students become more productive 21st century citizens.

Middle School principal Keith Malsky, who nominated the him, said that he has always appreciated Merkert's teaching. "When doing a walk through into his room starting 10 years ago, he was the only staff member in the Middle School that was using technology on an everyday basis and his students were always engaged and focused," he said.

Merkert's dedication this year was particularly impressive. This winter, Merkert took a week off to go to Chicago for his son's surgery. "Chris developed online lessons for the week that students could listen to and actually see him via the Promethean Board in the classroom," he said. Merkert also Skyped with them and even spent some time with the pioneers of reverse instruction while in Chicago.

"I value meaningful lessons through a student-centered approach, differentiating for each student, while incorporating technology in meaningful ways to enhance the learning process," Merkert said.

He said he found the students became more engaged and motivated than ever. Test scores have been equal or better, he said.

Flipped Teaching has given Merkert his "second wind" as a teacher, he said. He even credits his students with winning the award thanks to their willingness to try something new.

And, Malsky said, "His enthusiasm for teaching and technology has carried over to the staff," adding that Merkert has become the "turn-key" instructor for staff development on technology. Merkert even led a Superintendent’s Day Conference.

He has re-energized the entire staff, Malsky said. "He has helped to improve the quality of instruction and put life into our building."