District Administration - October 2011 - (Page 38)

AdministratorProfile and the coaches. The goal, she says, was not to point out what teachers were doing wrong, but to demonstrate best practices, to show where they could improve, and to serve as an extra set of eyes in the classroom. During the first six weeks, the coaches serve strictly as helpers. Kloiber says that if the teachers don’t trust the coaches, “they’re going to have a bad taste in their mouth about it. This is a small community, and many of these teachers have known each other since the beginning. It was an adjustment, but they’re welcoming the support.” After six weeks, the coaches begin pointing out strengths and weaknesses in each lesson plan and how teachers can engage students who may be falling through the cracks. The other component includes serving as mentors to new teachers, which includes one-on-one coaching and professional development through School Improvement Network’s PD360, CSCOPE Curriculum System and Support, and Eduphoria, which better connects administrators with teachers. Nearly half of new teachers leave the classroom after the first five years, says Kloiber. Investing in a quality workforce is vital. The coaches also pair up with at-risk students, whom they tutor for an hour each week. “There is a great amount of small group work going on all over the building,” says O’Dell. “The instruction level has improved, and the struggling students have a feeling that someone cares about them.” New Vertical Alignment One of the greatest changes that has come out of this program, says Kloiber, is the vertical alignment that has emerged between the middle and elementary schools. According to Kloiber, this is the result of work by determined middle school leaders. “They took this on themselves,” she says. “They contacted the lower schools, dug into data, and wanted to see what is going on in the classrooms and what kids need to be prepared with by the time they enter the high school. They are committed to this community and have so much ownership over this.” In the 2010-2011 school year, the district used $1.3 million from the grant and currently has $1.7 million to use over the next two years. Although funds are running out, Kloiber is confident that the district will continue the coaches well into the future and branch out into the middle and elementary schools. “We’re happy where we are and where we’re headed,” Kloiber says. “What happens is the tests become harder and rigor goes up; that’s when your data starts to flatline. When I look out at graduation, I want to see CEOs and college recruiters wanting our graduates.” DA Marion Herbert is Associate Editor. 38 October 2011 District Administration http://www.panasonic.com/aplus http://www.panasonic.com/aplus

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - October 2011

District Administration - October 2011
Contents
From the Editor
Letters
News Update
Transportation Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Building a Blended Learning Program
How Are Science Fairs Fairing?
A New Age for Algebra
Early College High Schools
Changing of the Guard in Florida
CIO News
How Much Computing Power Do You Need?
An Unconventional Approach to 1:1
New Books
Problem/ Solution
Research Center
Product Focus
New Products
Professional Opinion
Going Mobile
Online Edge

District Administration - October 2011