ALCOVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A DECADE OF EXCELLENCE

BELIEFS Questions: Do you believe there is a global need for better education? Do you believe if a child hasn’t learned the material then it hasn’t been effectively taught? Do you believe data collection is more of an autopsy or a diagnosis? Do you believe that all students can achieve at high levels? Do you believe the time you put in with each child makes the world a better place? What does intelligece look like?

PRIORITIES Collaboration is the key to taking the next step toward continuous improvement. Define the characteristics of our expectations. (what does it look like?) 1.Teach respect by modeling respect 2.Teach values by modeling values Raise the expectation for behavior, social interaction, and performance. Cultivate the talents of each individual child. Take control of what we have power over: our belief system, educational opportunities, and relationships.

FOCUS Schools that improve have a focus that includes: 1.Strategies for improvement 2.Clarity on what excellent instruction looks like 3.Increased capacity of teachers 4.Strong parent community ties, no matter the social economic status 5.A culture where learning is at the center

ACTIONS Lab classrooms with a focus on grade level needs and a shared understanding of how things should be done A clear vision of what high level engagement looks like Teacher directed staff development based on data discussions Collaboration, Collaboration, Collaboration (We do not get better in isolation.) Focus on each and every student and student group Building relationships with students and community Focus on exceeding standards (Schools win when you take over the middle and push them to the top.) Real learning comes from revising and resubmitting. Failure is not an option!

CULTURE Culture is more important than any other factor that impacts student performance. Our norms, beliefs and expectations = Our Culture

EXPERIENCES Provide opportunities for students to experience learning! We will link with UGA to provide experiences for our students. (How can you aspire to be something you have never seen before?) Only 6% of Americans have degrees in the Sciences. Cardinal Showcase, Project Based Learning, Computer Lab Direction, Collaborative Learning

TAKE RISKS Are we teaching a new year or just the same year the 20 th time? Success is never final! Innovation occurs when we step outside of our comfort zone and take risks! Try things, find what works, what does not work, and do better the next time.

FINAL THOUGHTS Harboski- “Remember our words become our actions, our actions become our habits, our habits develop our character and our character determines our destiny.” Teachers touch eternity through their students!