Kenna Dawson Courtney McAnany Linda Sharp Lisa Slivoski

 Wingfield School District Objectives  Statement of the Problem  Goal Statement  Solutions  Mission & Vision  Principal Mentorship  Teambuilding  Technology Integration

 become a technology driven and innovative school district.  produce students with critical thinking & technology skills.  increase standardized test scores district wide.  implement school based reforms beginning at Hickory Ridge  foster collaboration between veteran and new teachers to share knowledge, experience and skills

 The following initiatives have taken place at Hickory Ridge High School over the past two years:  Jim O’Connor hired as principal  technology equipment has been purchased for each classroom  key personnel has been sent to industry trainings  funds have been allocated for staff training  27 new teachers with strong technology skills and potential for leadership positions have been hired

 Classroom computer usage  Standardized test scores  Conflict between new and veteran teachers  Lack of teamwork, mutual respect and collaboration  Career advancement opportunities for new teachers has not materialized

 Create a unified mission and vision for the school  Support Jim O’Connor in his leadership at Hickory Ridge with emphasis on his gaining respect and trust from the school faculty  Generate collaboration among the teachers to reach school and district academic goals  Improve technology integration moving towards being a technologically driven school district

 Solution:  Creating a Mission and Vision  Principal Mentorship Program  Team Building  Technology

 Formal recognition of Principal O’Connor’s community work  Review school data and brainstorm plans for school reform  Develop mission with input from all stakeholders  Begin with self analysis

 Mission statement defines the purpose of the school  Participation by all stakeholders fosters collaboration and solidifies commitment  All school staff share common goals  Going through the process develops a strong sense of belonging

 Extends and clarifies the mission statement  Defines educational philosophy, goals and values of Hickory Ridge High  Specifies goals and desired future states  Includes measureable objectives

 Includes process for monitoring and evaluation  All school tasks, curriculum and instruction should be aligned with vision  Professional development activities should be aligned with vision

 Evaluation of students and staff should be aligned with the vision  Vision should be embedded in the daily work of the school

 Define the need  Benefits of a mentor  Building relationships  The Mentoring Program

NNew administrator MMr. O’Connor is not respected or trusted LLacks communication with younger staff UUnsuccessful in leading toward the vision

 Builds skills and confidence  Improved leadership has positive effects on student engagement and achievement  Allows for collegial interaction  Develop skills in relationship building

BBuild relationships based on trust and confidence SShow appreciation for effort and recognize accomplishments TTeachers will gain respect

Solid relationships allow people to take risks. (Saban & Wolfe, 2009)

 Districts have developed institutes for new administrators  First national mentoring certification program

National Mentor Program

MMr. O’Connor will receive a trained mentor PPaired with an experienced administrator in the District

 Teambuilding activities to open faculty trainings  Professional Learning Communities (PLC)  Peer Mentoring

 Veteran teachers  Knowledgeable about Wingfield School District, programs, services, and families  27 new teachers added to staff  High potential  Technologically competent  Knowledgeable about needed reforms

 Short teambuilding activities will be implemented at the beginning of faculty trainings and in-services. These should be:  Quick  Enjoyable  Build connections

 Create four quadrants on your whiteboard Name of college (undergrad) and mascot A job would you want if you were not a teacher If you had one million dollars how would you spend it on your school? If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be?

 Hickory Ridge will create PLC’s  Departmentally  Teachers who work together on a daily basis  Collaborative work becomes stronger when teachers take responsibility for a common group of students

PPair veteran teachers with new teachers DDesigned to help both teachers BBeginning teacher develops new skills, learns about district and community VVeteran teacher gains technology skills, mentoring also allows self-reflection and mutual cooperation

 Hickory Ridge High School has been equipped with up to date hardware and software. The main technology issue the school faces is the integration of technology into the classroom. += A technology driven school district where students are engaged, aware, and prepared for a world saturated with technology

1. Technology Survey 2. Employ knowledge brokers 3. Assessment/monitoring 4. Distance learning

 An in depth technology survey will be conducted to assess the current technological fluency of the staff and their ability to implement it into their lessons. Photo from: technology-a-matter-of-design-a-peer-reviewed-article-by-ian-robertson

 Knowledge brokers are onsite technology advisors.  Instructional leaders  Knowledge of hardware & software  Maintain up to date information on current trends in technology and its use in the classroom.

 Principal O’Connor and the District will monitor the integration of technology through:  Lesson plans  Professional Development Plans (PDPs)  Classroom observations

TThe District’s professional development program provides training through distance learning. This will serve as a model to teachers in the implementation of technology in the classroom.

“Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.” ~Chinese Proverb

SSolution: CCreate a unified mission and vision for the school PProvide principal mentorship for Jim O’Connor to support his efforts to reform Hickory Ridge IIncorporate teambuilding, PLCs, and peer mentoring for staff to facilitate an environment of collaboration and collegiality IIntegrate technology through the use of a knowledge broker and district level integration modeling.

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