GREAT EXPECTATION According to Eric Jensen, author of Teaching with the Brain in Mind, this Title 1 school was going nowhere in the eyes of most of the community members. They were given a new principal and in the next few years, the school lost experienced teachers to other sites and other districts. In fact, they lost over 100 years of teacher experience. Today, they have now arrived in the top 25 percent of the state's testing scores and they continually receive positive recognition news. Students show increased self-confidence and problem-solving skills. The school was recently recognized as one of Oklahoma's top "Reward Schools" based on growth in state test scores. The kids love being at school and the faculty has created another miracle. The school is Jefferson Elementary School, located in Ardmore, Oklahoma. HOW DID THEY MAKE MIRACLES HAPPEN? First, they focused on instruction. They replaced approximately 100 years of teaching experience with enthusiastic but new, inexperienced teachers. They also focused on attitude. With HUGE staff determination, perseverance, and continued hiring of quality faculty, they fought for every child to prove to them they could succeed. They focused on trainings. Many of their trainings were funded by state and local grants. Through a grant, which partnered their school with a local arts foundation, their teachers and students received training to enhance classroom instruction in all subject areas. Through other grants, they also received training in classroom instruction. The four programs: 1) Literacy First, 2) Great Expectations, 3) Teaching with Poverty in Mind, and 4) Differentiated Instruction. They focused on raising support from the community. Now in its second year, and through efforts of the teaching staff and community, funds allowed them to implement a Saturday school during the four weeks prior to state testing. This helps the kids who are on the "edge" and need extra help. By implementing new programs and through community support, they have shown themselves, the community and the state of Oklahoma that having a Title 1 designation means nothing. All of their training and hard work have proven them to be a successful Title 1 school serving all children in the Jefferson Elementary School district. Kudos to this school! I wish to write about #2 - GREAT EXPECTATIONS today. Children as well as adults are simply sponges to Affirmative Attitudinal Language backed by the Power of Positive Expectation. Everyone can feel the Attitudinal VIBE of a label, either positive or negative... why not make it a productive one?! Your WORD is your WAND ... let everyone in your school district know you expect the Best! What are Your Expectations for Every Single Student and person on your Faculty and Staff for the '12-'13' School Year?
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
