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Total Experience Learning® (TExpL®)

What is Total Experience Learning®?

In Governor Mifflin School District, we proudly implement Alvernia University's award-winning Total Experience Learning® framework. This methodology champions integrating research-based, student lead learning across all disciplines. In Total Experience Learning®, students learn through authentic, hands-on learning experiences which encourage inquiry, ingenuity, and creativity. In short, students are taught how to think, not what to think.
 

Why TExpL®?

Before GMSD entered this partnership in 2021, the district implemented personalized and problem-based learning resulting in only pockets of innovation across the district. To develop a wider reach in personalized and experiential learning, the district developed a multi-year action plan committed to developing and supporting not only just the Total Experience Learning course cohort teachers but also every educator in every building.
 

Our Committment

The district commits to financially supporting at least 18 teachers and 1 administrator each year in completing the four courses, ensuring solid expertise spans all grade levels and content areas. We also provide ongoing professional learning for those who are not enrolled in the courses ensuring that the most basic foundational aspects of the methodology are understood and embraced by all stakeholders.

Connection, collaboration, and ongoing learning are cornerstones of this program and we highly encourage those who are TExpL® certified to collaborate with fellow educators, community partners, and other stakeholders in order to extend our impact and expand our student's access to opportunities, both in our local community and beyond.

Contact Us

Karen DeNunzio

Director of Teaching and Learning

Total Experience Learning® in Action

Two students kneel by a stream. One holds a plastic cup with a trout inside over the water.
Trout In the Classroom

In this yearly activity, students across grade levels collaborate to hatch and raise trout in their classroom tanks. The project culminates with a mass release of trout into local waterways in the Spring!

Two girls bagging up a head of lettuce. One girl holds the bag open as the other inserts the produce.
Flex Farms

Students in grades K-6 get a firsthand experience growing crops and managing their own hydroponic farms within their Innovations classrooms. After their bounty is harvested, the produce is donated to Helping Harvest Food Bank to help local families in need!

A woman holds a toad while a hand-off screen holds a handheld microscope against the toad. A boy in the middle smiles.
Investigating Animals

Is it a frog? Or is it a toad? Mrs. Korejwo's Kindergarten class worked with the Albright TEL Team to observe a living creature and identify it through research, inquiry, and exploration!

A girl and a boy hold up a handmade sign that reads %22Pawsitive Hearts Has The Biggest Heart for Animals%22
Brecknock Thanks-For-Giving Parade

Brecknock Elementary students participated in the Thanks-For-Giving Parade, a collaborative, school-wide experience led by Mrs. Sebastian! Classes picked a local nonprofit, learned about their impact, and created a float inspired by their work!

A young boy arranges flowers while his mother, who is holding a baby, watches him.
Bringing Family Together with Flowers

For American Education Week, our Pre-K Counts teachers partnered with local florist, Stein's Flowers, to bring families together for a fun, flower-arranging activity. This activity challenged student creativity, helped them learn about plant life, and helped them to practice fine motor skills!

A group of students hold disposable cups with the Groovy Grinds logo in tront of them. They are smiling.
Groovy Grinds

These students are building a coffee shop from the 'grounds' up! In the senior business seminar, students found a business, create a business plan, assign roles and duties, and handle day-to-day operations of said business.

A man shows a high school student how to operate a camera.
Mustang Nation News: Now On Air

Governor Mifflin High School students have partnered with our local television station, BCTV, to bring the news of GM to the wider Berks County community and get hands-on experience in public broadcasting, filming, and editing. GM is the first school district in Berks to have our own public access television program!


TExpL® Certified Staff

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Paige Adams

Titles: Teacher, 1st Grade
Locations: Mifflin Park

Brianna Adkins

Titles: Teacher, Art
Locations: Cumru

Allie Bartholomew

Titles: Teacher, Art
Locations: High School

Megan Bechtel

Titles: Teacher, 2nd Grade
Locations: Mifflin Park

Melissa Belinski

Titles: Teacher, Chemistry
Locations: High School

Brian Bell

Titles: Director of Student Services
Locations: District office

Tory Bilger

Titles: Dean of Students
Locations: High School

Emma Blair

Titles: Teacher, Biology, Graduation Coordinator
Locations: High School

Samantha Bolles

Titles: Teacher, STEAM Hub
Locations: Middle School

Kristin Brumbach

Titles: Librarian
Locations: High School

Katherine Burns

Titles: Teacher, 1st Grade
Locations: Brecknock

Stephanie Carter

Titles: Teacher, Music, Middle School Band and Music Technology
Locations: Middle School

Ryan Collette

Titles: Teacher, Physical Education
Locations: Brecknock

Katie Davis

Titles: Teacher, Pre-K
Locations: Cumru

Matthew Davis

Titles: Teacher, Math, Graduation Coordinator
Locations: High School

Michael Dunkle

Titles: Teacher, Physics
Locations: High School

Alyssa Duym

Titles: Teacher, 5th Grade
Locations: Intermediate School

Sara Eastman

Titles: Teacher, Innovations
Locations: Intermediate School

Mark Engle

Titles: Teacher, Innovations
Locations: Mifflin Park

Alissa Etzel

Titles: Teacher, 6th Grade, ELA
Locations: Intermediate School

Delvys Garcia Martinez

Titles: Teacher, Spanish
Locations: High School

Kristen Gerhard

Titles: Pre-K Coordinator
Locations: Cumru

Betty Hayles

Titles: Teacher, ESL
Locations: High School

Lisa Hess

Titles: Superintendent
Locations: District office

Jonna Holgate

Titles: Teacher, Art
Locations: Mifflin Park

Kimberly Korejwo

Titles: Reading Specialist
Locations: Mifflin Park

Rick Lapi

Titles: Technology Coach
Locations: High School

Susan Larkin

Titles: Teacher, 4th Grade
Locations: Brecknock

Shea McGinley

Titles: Teacher, Kindergarten
Locations: Cumru

Ryan McGovern

Titles: Teacher, Social Studies
Locations: High School