Learning and Growing Together as System

Professional Learning is a highly valued aspect of our work as educators.  We build time into our work schedules and school calendar for this purpose because we know that we will be better teachers and leaders when we take time to reflect and consider how we can improve.   

Planning for professional learning is a process of defining an area of growth that the system is committed to improving and channeling time and funds to ensure staff is trained, resources are provided, and a clear plan for implementation is in place.  

Two more significant areas of focus for the District will be working on the next two years will include using blended learning as a model of instruction to support the implementation of the Return to Learn Plan and developing a stronger school culture, climate, and equitable learning environment. These goals are in full alignment with the TAP instructional framework and the Iowa Teaching Standards.

Implementing these goals requires a substantial amount of time to learn from research, doing the work, and collaborating with peers.  This summer, our teachers are participating in a summer institute on using blended learning as a model of instruction to support the District's Return to Learn Plan.  The staff is learning the technology, working through the curriculum, and developing the online platform.  This is important work as we are moving from a "voluntary continuous learning" to "requiring continuous learning".  Students will be engaging in learning that will occur at school and also online learning.  This is a large undertaking for our staff. They are doing the work and looking forward to seeing the impact on student learning.  

  

The District has been listening, learning, and growing as a district in how we respond and interact in a diverse learning community. This is causing us to review the District's policies, procedures, practices, programs to consider how we can improve, remove barriers for our students, and be more equitable. The implementation process is much the same. It also takes time, training, dedicated resources, and collaboration to enact.  However, doing this work will help us to be better leaders, teachers, and learners.  

It is all about learning and growing together as a system to provide the best possible learning experiences for our students.

Meaningful Moments

The school year ended rather abruptly and did not allow for some of the traditional celebrations to occur in a manner that we would have liked.  There were too many disruptions to begin to list. I will most certainly overlook one if I were to start writing a list.  However, there is one tradition that is meaningful to the staff that we had to rethink and consider how we might change things up a bit.  I have mentioned before each year, we take time at the end of the year to acknowledge staff who are retiring.  At the same time, we also recognize staff for their years of service.  

We couldn't hold our gathering, but our leadership team took a different approach by making surprise deliveries to those being recognized. We could not reach everyone, but we did find some at home at just the right time!

Those recognized for their years of service this year include:

Retiring: Jon Skillern, Terry Fichter, Sonia Willers, Jackie Adcock

20 Years: Kim Leininger, Trisha Johnson, Mary Peterson, Kristian Vance, 

15 Years: Brian Daoust, Todd McGinnis, Brett Roberts, Cory Feller

10 Years: Kenneth Thrasher

5 Years:  Brain Blank, Craig Leigan, Kerri Nelson, Angela Hunter, Carissa Millikan, Sherri Ruzek, Lisa Holmes

It was a wonderful way to spend time.  There were some meaningful moments to treasure.