Elements of Excellence
#CSDMission #CSDVisibleLearning #Allmeansall
September 2019
Caldwell Staff Newsletter from Superintendent French
CSD Book study: Going deep on our impact on learning
At our opening meeting in August, I issued a challenge for all of us to live our District Mission “to empower the whole child to achieve personal goals and strengthen our communities.”
In order to do this, we will continue the Visible Learning work started in the 2015-2016 school year. I firmly believe in the power of professional learning communities/impact teams and recognize that collective efficacy is the key factor for improving student learning.
The philosophy of Visible Learning truly redirects us and requires us to reflect on the impact of our work. Currently, I am reading “10 Mindframes for Visible Learning,” by John Hattie and Klaus Zierer. I would like to invite you to participate in a “10 Mindframes for Visible Learning” book study during this school year.
The information supports the process of introspection as related by inspired and passionate teaching. A copy of “10 Mindframes” will be provided for all teachers who participate in the book study. Your principal will have more information. At the end of this newsletter, there is a link to a conversation with the author about the 10 Mindframes.
What we think and believe about our impact matters
During first semester, principals, administrators, instructional coaches and district administrators will dive deeper into the 10 Mindframes during our monthly curriculum, instruction, and assessment (CIA) meetings.
We will be discussing grade level standards -- ensuring all students are being taught at grade level and on grade level -- as well as defining surface, deep, to transfer expectations and the value of the meta-cognitive cycle.
Second semester, we will invite all teachers to participate in a district-wide book study of “10 Mindframes for Visible Learning”.
Throughout the year, this newsletter will also focus on mindframes.
Why do this?
It’s simple: “Know thy impact.” What we think and believe about our impact, matters.
In reading “10 Mindframes”, I immediately reflected on my years in the classroom. I was introduced to Professional Learning Communities in the late '90s and believed then that working together as educators -- synergy -- was more effective and efficient than working in isolation.
I was part of an interdisciplinary team, at that time I would have claimed I was part of an impact team, a professional learning community. We met weekly to discuss students of concern, parent-teacher vs. student-led conferences, and our team’s Lewis & Clark Expedition interdisciplinary unit. Reflecting on this period of time, I realize I was at a “surface” level when it came to my understanding of “knowing my impact”.
As I continue to learn about evidence-based practices, access & equity, and (my newest learning) the meta-cognitive cycle -- thinking about one’s learning -- I gain a greater appreciation for the phrase “life-long learner”. I’m so grateful to be a part of our Visible Learning journey.
Today, as superintendent I believe we have the resources and the evidence-based practices to live our mission.
The 10 Mindframes provides us the Elements of Excellence we need to complete our mission and helps us strive to reach our vision that the “Caldwell School District is a safe and supportive learning environment where all students graduate ready to pursue their personal, post high school goals as self-motivated, productive members of their community.”
I am excited to be learning with all of you this year. - Dr. French
Overview of 10 Mindframes for Visible Learning
Elements of Excellence - Mindframes for Visible Learning
The Elements of Excellence are powerful behaviors or mindframes teachers adopt
and apply in order to maximize student success.
I am an evaluator of my impact on student learning
I see assessment as informing my impact and next steps
I collaborate with my peers and my students about my concepts of progress and my impact
I am a change agent and believe all students can improve
I strive for challenge and not merely “doing your best”
I give and help students understand feedback and I interpret and act on feedback given to me
I engage as much in dialogue as monologue
I explicitly inform students what successful impact looks like from the outset
I build relationships and trust so that learning can occur in a place where it is safe to make mistakes and learn from others
Superintendent N. Shalene French
Email: NFRENCH@CALDWELLSCHOOLS.ORG
Website: WWW.CALDWELLSCHOOLS.ORG
Location: 1502 Fillmore Street, Caldwell, ID, USA
Phone: 208455-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caldwellschools.org/
Twitter: @CSD132Sup