The Importance of Teams Cindy Bishop, Principal Sequoia Middle School

Why are teams important?  Take 1 minute to discuss at your table.  www. timer -tab.com www. timer -tab.com

Cypress School 2007  API634  Similar School Rank1

Cypress School 2013  API807  Similar School Rank10

A Goal Without A Plan Is Just A Wish

Cypress Driven by Data  Every child being proficient  All kids have access to curriculum  All kids mastering the standards Driven by Needs  Fluid system  Needs identified by data  Investments in professional development

Cypress  LEARN Together:  Professional Learning Communities conference, DuFour’s  Continuous School Improvement training, SCOE  Professional reading:  Total Instructional Alignment  Annual Growth for All Students, Catch Up Growth for Those Who Are Behind  Teach Like A Champion

Cypress  PLAN Together  Single School Plan goals  Post, review, move forward, modify, is it working?  Weekly Collaboration  Student Achievement  Plan, Do, Check, Act

Vision for Student Learning - Cypress School, ELA

Vision for Student Learning - Cypress School, Math

Cypress Data Similar School Rank  2007….. 1  2008….. 2  2009….. 1  2010….. 2  2011….. 6  2012…. 10  2013…. 10 API  2007…  2008…  2009…  2010…  2011…  2012…. 835  2013…. 807

What is one example of intentional teaming at your site?  Does it impact student achievement?  Discuss for 1 minute at your table 

Sequoia Middle School 2014 Driven by Data  Talking to people  Five time recipient of Distinguished School Award  API/ Similar School Rank  SSR 3  Low Income745  SWD599  SSR 3  Low Income771  SWD621  SSR 7  Low Income803  SWD612  Review of the district’s Strategic Plan (LCAP) Driven by Needs  Bringing departments together  Continuous improvement  Students  Self

Sequoia Middle School  First year- lay of the land  Standards walk with each department  Discussion around common formative assessments  Discussion around grade books and alignment  Discussion around standards-based report cards  Collaboration- what does it look like?

Sequoia Middle School  Second year:  Implemented Principal’s Advisory group  Begin to use SSP goals to drive collaboration  Need for common pacing  Need for common assessments  Need for standards-based report card  Hattie’s research  Team attended Building Teacher Capacity, 2 day training in Sacramento  Develop draft of SSP goals in the content areas around standards-based report cards

Sequoia Middle School  Third year:  Building in reflective practice to the Single School Plan- what we think drives what we do  SSP goals will drive collaboration  Focus on Standards-based report card  Aeries.net  Intentional teaching of standards  Creating common assessments that reflect standards  Designing lessons based on standards  Departments discussing instructional practices  Individualized SMART goals for each staff member to assist in successful implementation

But it’s not innovative…  THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE HABIT 2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND  ~STEPHEN COVEY (1989)

Beginning with the end in mind.  What is your “end”?  Do you have a team?  Do you have an intentional plan?  Is there a common focus?  Are you reviewing your plan?  How do you communicate with others in your building who are not on the team?  please discuss for 5 minutes at your table

Planning with the end in mind  4-3XSxU 4-3XSxU  Imagine if that was throughout the building!

They deserve it!

Game Changers  Cypress       Sequoia     