Instructional transformation is being noticed throughout the district! As you know, Wednesday Walks provide central office staff the opportunity to personally interact with students, teachers, and administrators about the impact of instruction on student learning. During our walks we also notice how welcoming and safe our buildings are, as well as how individuals interact with each other and with students. We notice how students respond to greetings, interact with each other and engage as a result of established routines, procedures, and practices. We notice what the walls say about beliefs and expectations. We talk about how proud we are of all the amazing opportunities available to our students because of all of you!
Although we didn't take visible data on those important components, we did collect data on specific instructional practices that align with our district priorities, specifically around the implementation of standards based planning and professional learning communities. Throughout the 1st semester, the focus was on the visibility of learning targets in every classroom and if students were able to describe the learning target. The professional growth is inspiring and motivating! It is obvious that teacher collaboration is contributing to the improvement of how targets and tasks align to the grade level standards.
Here is what we noticed first semester:
Obviously, this data alone does not inform us of the "impact" on student learning, however, it does communicate the systematic implementation of practices that can directly impact student learning. There are noticeable difference in how students engage in learning when they are aware of their end goal and have the opportunity to process, talk about it, and actively engage in tasks that are directly aligned. Keep the momentum going!
This semester, data will continue to be collected on if students are able to describe the learning target as well as if the target and task are aligned. I'll keep you posted on the data and the amazing happenings observed during our next round of Wednesday Walks.
Teaching is one of hardest jobs in the world! Thank you for all you do, making a difference and impacting the future for our students!
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