Photo: l-r Dr. David Salvo, Superintendent of Middle Township Pubic Schools, James Rosser, Jr. MD FACS, Channell Wilkins, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. President/CEO, Anita Woolery, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Board President, Bernie Blanks, President of the Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, Michele Grainger, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. Atlantic and Cape May Representative and Robert Matthews, Jr. Superintendent of Middle Township Recreation

The Middle Township School District under the direction of Superintendent Dr. David Salvo in partnership with the Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro President Bernard Blanks seeks to provide students with a foundation that prepares them for academic challenges and next generation job skill enrichment for their future.

Most recently, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. a Community Action Agency serving the residents of multiple counties in New Jersey including Cape May County and through the guidance and instruction of the renowned James “Butch” Rosser, Jr. MD FACS, also known as “Dr. Butch” (as seen on Dr. Oz, CNN and Fox News) a practicing physician and general surgeon, has introduced a new innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) Program for students in this district.

Through grant funding, O.C.E.A.N., Inc. and “Dr. Butch” will provide a Youth STEMM Readiness and Education Innovations program that will prepare future STEMM students for state testing challenges, college and careers using pop culture, real world applications and technology to supplement and compliment the educational curriculum used in the Middle Township School District.

The overriding method of teaching the STEMM program and its new approach is called Stealth Learning. It is a scientifically validated brain-based educational methodology that utilizes pop culture icons such as music, film and video games to enhance engagement and increase knowledge and skill transfer. It’s called Stealth Learning since students become engaged with learning without knowing they are learning because they learn while having fun – fusing entertainment with education. Stealth leverages “brain based” learning by mobilizing neurons in the cerebellum that are not used normally and it rapidly establishes new neural networks by stimulating dopamine and other hormone releases.

Dr. Rosser calls himself a “curriculum whisperer”. He does not change what has been decided to be taught. Rather, by using Stealth Learning, he enhances a curriculum’s ability to engage, transfer knowledge and develop real world skills for jobs in the 21st century.

Students from disadvantaged families in the Middle Township School District, Cape May County need the exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) related careers necessary to compete for and/or become college ready to pursue these careers. In order to address this, the curriculum will be taught in a way that is engaging, will have real world relevance (career oriented) and will meet the learner where they are.

In the fall of 2017, teachers in the Middle Township School District will participate in a training course instructed by “Dr. Butch” involving curriculum implementation and syllabus formation of all educational assets and systems. The course will include the review of all state standards curriculum materials and initial deconstruction for curriculum conversation and will also include lab practicals. This will prepare the teachers to begin instructing/educating the students in the spring of 2018.

Students from the Middle Township School District will participate in the STEMM after school program at the Whitesboro Community Center. The training and execution phase will be divided into weekly sessions. Part of the selection outcome in addition to school attendance will be the PARCC test to be administered in April, 2018.

O.C.E.A.N., Inc. will meet/exceed benchmarks/performance standards including New          Jersey Student Learning Standards of Quality to achieve targeted outcomes and desired performance. These standards give clear and specific benchmarks for student achievements in content areas of STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) and are influenced by national standards, research-based practices and student needs.