Episode Details

Happy Friday!

Thanks for all you did this week to model for our students the concept of lifelong learning! Working with Bailey Group, Solution Tree, and DESE consultants has caused much professional conversation about how to hone our abilities to make sure our students are getting what they need to be prepared and successful. It is a never-ending cycle of planning, doing, checking, and reflecting. As we continue our work, we will embrace these enriching experiences and collaborative efforts, ensuring that every step we take is a stride toward excellence in education and a brighter future for our students.

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, our role as educators extends far beyond the traditional boundaries of teaching. We are, in essence, perpetual students ourselves, constantly adapting and growing alongside the educational environment that surrounds us. This continuous journey of learning does not just enrich our teaching methodologies; it also allows us to model the very essence of lifelong learning for our students. By embracing new challenges, staying abreast of the latest educational trends, and reflecting critically on our practices, we not only enhance our expertise but also foster a culture of curiosity and resilience. As we evolve in our mastery, we demonstrate to our students that learning is a dynamic and endless journey, not just a destination to be reached.

For those just beginning their journey in this noble profession, it is important to remember that feeling a sense of inadequacy due to a lack of experience is a natural part of the growth process. Every seasoned educator has stood where you are now, and it is through consistent experience, learning, and the supportive guidance of peers that one's confidence and expertise are built. Embrace this phase as a crucial step in your professional development, knowing that with each passing day, you are gaining invaluable insights and skills that will shape you into the exceptional educator you are destined to become. It is okay to be where you are in your knowledge and skill level right now. Just be determined not to stay there.

All of us are still learning how to become better at what we do. I want to use this Wrap-up to not only share the latest data but also explain how we are using it in our leadership PLC meetings to find our weaknesses, develop better plans, and ask better questions.

Performance Target Insights

I have been reporting for weeks now that our attendance rates remain steady and on target and that our discipline has been increasing each week. You can see that latest update here. For our district leadership PLC team meeting, I asked the principals to bring detailed discipline reports to look for details, causes, and solutions. Here are some things we determined:

* We are more thorough with recording our discipline data this year compared to the last two years. So, it is obvious that we will see an increase because all of our discipline is being counted. This makes last year’s success less meaningful but we can admit our mistakes and move forward doing better.

* Our building and classroom discipline is not changing for the worse. It is actually somewhat better than in the past. We have had incidents outside the classrooms that have been larger scale involving multiple students, and that has had an impact.

* We continue to have a high rate of bus discipline referrals. In fact, there were several examples of students who have never had office referrals except from the bus.

So, what are we going to do?

* We will continue to record discipline as we are now and expect to finish the year with a likely increase knowing that our previous success was not accurate.

* We will revisit the BX3 process for buses and provide more support for true implementation.