Demonstration Schools for Rigor? What's Going on?

Last summer, three of our schools, Walnut Middle School, Starr, and Jefferson Elementaries embarked on a journey to become Demonstration Schools for Rigor(the only ones in the state of Nebraska)!  This commitment has required, and continues to require, additional professional learning, coaching, and a shift in pedagogy.  Yes, there are challenges, productive struggles, and new learning.  However, staff at all three campuses have embraced this opportunity and now with a semester of learning and implementation, are ready to share what they have learned and show you the impact on students.  Throughout this semester, I will have the pleasure to host guest blogs from our Demonstration Schools to keep you updated and informed of their progress along the way.

Our first guest blog is a spotlight on Walnut Middle School with videos of students and testimonials from staff.  Teachers and administrators have created a slideshow to give you glimpse inside their classrooms as well as provide testimonials from teachers about the transformation. Click here to view   the powerpoint.

What a great opportunity to hear about the successes and celebrations of this work, how instructional practices are changing, and observe the impact on students.  This success would not be evident without the instructional leadership of our teachers and school leaders and continuous focus on student learning.

In the future, our Demonstration Schools will become learning laboratories that will be open for instructional rounds to all GIPS schools.  This will provide opportunities to learn from each other and continue to chart the course for achieving student centered instruction with rigor in all GIPS classrooms.

We are fortunate that the professional learning with Learning Sciences International has also provided our district team the opportunity to learn alongside the staff in our Demonstration Schools for Rigor.  As a result, we are able to better support all of our GIPS campuses in their efforts to professionally grow in practice in ways that meet all students needs.

I would like to personally thank our guest bloggers from Walnut Middle school today, and invite you to join in celebrating their progress as well as provide support as our Demonstration Schools continue this exciting journey.  Rising up to ensure our students THRIVE in an ever changing world!