In the Zone
Edition #7
Welcome to the Team!
On the Horizon
September milestones in the Zone include:
Clinton and Onsted's will complete their second District Capacity Assessments.
The LISD will complete their third Regional Capacity Assessment
These assessments are great tools that show how much capacity is being built in each district.
MDE MTSS Committee Update
The MDE MTSS Practice Profile and MDE MTSS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) are available for all to view on the website: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-28753_65803_86454---,00.html
At the August MDE MTSS meeting, the team came to consensus on a draft concept for the MDE MTSS Graphic Re-Design that will illustrate all five of the MTSS essential components. The draft concept is now with the graphic designer for further mockup.
Over the past few months, members of the MTSS Team have continued to collaborate on an MDE cross office workgroup to further define the assessment system. The workgroup has drafted definitions for the overarching assessment system and seven types of assessment utilized within the system, including formative assessments, interim-benchmark assessments; summative assessments, universal screeners, diagnostic assessments, progress monitoring and special education evaluations. Upon the conclusion of feedback sessions, the assessment definitions will go to MDE leadership for approval.
MDE MTSS Data and Evaluation Committee Update
In July, a crosswalk of the evaluation questions, objectives and measures was conducted to ensure congruency and rectify any discrepancies. The design group will convene later this month to make final modifications. The crosswalk of proposed questions, objectives and measures will be reviewed by the MTSS Team on September 11.
The Data Collection and Analysis schedules are being updated to coincide with the professional learning and technical assistance scope and sequence.
The complete Evaluation Plan will ready for MTSS Team review at the October 9 meeting.
MDE members of the evaluation design group have begun meeting with the Office of Systems, Evaluation and Technology (OSET) to discuss the data collection system requirements for the Transformation Zone. The intent is to design a system that will meet the needs of the TZ, as well as, a single system for all MDE MTSS data collection.
MDE MTSS Professional Learning/Technical Assistance Committee Update
The MTSS training content is being developed to support the Professional Learning Scope and Sequence that was established in June based upon the MTSS Practice Profile.
The content for Day One and Day Two of training is ready for review by the PL&TA Design group this week. Revisions will be made based upon the design group's feedback prior to the content going to the MTSS Team for review on September 11.
The trainer qualifications and selection process are being developed for the PL&TA plan, as well as, the fidelity measurement for training delivery. These steps will ensure: continuity cross professional learning sessions, the professional learning is being conducted as intended, and data is collected for continuous improvement.
MTSS Communications Design Group
A small subset of the MDE MTSS team identified internal and stakeholder groups, types of information to be communicated, and current available communication methods within and outside of the Transformation Zone in April/May.
Given the need to establish a robust communication system that supports effective bi directional communication, a broader group of stakeholder representative of all MDE offices and the field has been formed. The group is meeting twice a month starting in August. The team will be using data and feedback collected internally and from the field to begin the development work.
Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System (EWIMS) Team
MDE is engaged in a cross-office collaboration with strategic partners to promote the use of an evidence-based Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System (EWIMS) that supports efforts to meet the needs of the whole child. EWIMS is a data-driven, decision-making process that helps educators systematically identify students who are showing signs that they are at risk of dropping out of school, examine the underlying causes of risk and match students' needs to interventions, and monitor students' progress and the success of those interventions. Fundamentally EWIMS is an ongoing cycle of examining data and making decisions about supports and interventions to help students get back on track and succeed. The EWIMS process aligns with the MDE Multi Tiered System of Supports (MTSS} and can provide secondary schools with a proven model for addressing attendance, behavior and course performance issues
Through continued collaboration, the MDE MTSS Team and the MDE EWIMS Team are working to ensure alignment of content and training. Discussion has begun regarding the potential of merging the EWIMS Team with the ivlTSS Team as an additiona·I design group.
Brian Jones
I am excited to be working in the zone! I started my career in Onsted teaching high school math and science for eleven years, assistant principal at the high school for three years and finally three years as curriculum director. During the curriculum director days I also did short stints in facilities/maintenance and as technology director.
At the LISD I started out supervising the Information Technology/CEMaT departments and supporting School Improvement. Ultimately I moved to School Support Services as a math/science/school improvement consultant.
Outside of work I enjoy boating, riding atvs/snowmobiles and ice fishing.
Jennifer Smith
I am excited to be part of the MTSS initiative at OMS! Providing supports and best learning practice, for all learners, is an area that I have been interested in and have worked with previous administrators to strengthen within our building for many years. During this time, our staff has created many pieces to this puzzle, so I am excited to be working with our current building principal, Alaina Ellison, to bring this initiative full circle.
I graduated from Eastern Michigan University, with a degree in elementary and special education. Upon graduation, jobs were plentiful in the secondary level, but teachers were not. The state grandfathered special education teachers the ability to teach resource room K-12, which is how I obtained my first teaching position at the secondary level. Although it was not how I envisioned my career, I am thankful that this opportunity allowed me to work with the secondary age group as I found this to be my true passion. This school year will begin my 13th year as a special education teacher with Onsted Schools and my 21st as a teacher in Lenawee County. I have served as a resource room teacher in various capacities, from 3rd grade to 12th, during my time at Onsted. My favorite age group though has always been working with middle school students. During my career, I also obtained my masters degree, from Michigan State University, in Learning Disabilities.
I am the proud mom of three Onsted students: Grace (junior), Alex (freshman) and Sophie (3rd grade). Our calendar during the year is filled with many sports and activities that my children take part in including, cross country, tennis, hockey, music and dance. My husband is a partner in a large animal clinic in Manchester, so I always get interesting questions from parents and colleagues to ask him when I get home about their own animals! We are also avid MSU fans and excited to return as season ticket holders for the upcoming football season.
John Hill
I am excited to start my 17th year in education! All of my 16 previous years were as a Middle School and High School math and PLTW teacher at Clinton Community Schools. Also, during my time at Clinton, I coached football, basketball, and baseball.
I am excited to start a new chapter of my career with the LISD as the Math Curriculum Consultant/MTSS Coach. I am very excited to work with all the districts of Lenawee County.
I am lucky to be married to my wife, Jamie, who is a fourth grade teacher at Onsted Elementary School. Our three children attend Onsted Community Schools. JT is going into sixth grade at OMS, Hannah is going into fifth grade and Jacob is going into second grade at OES.
I also volunteer as a board member for the Adrian Lookouts and Onsted Youth Football Organization. I have worked for Michigan Virtual School since 2004 as a Mathematics Teacher and still enjoy teaching with the organization to this day!
Cognitive Coaching Update
There was great interest in the Cognitive Coaching professional learning series, here is who signed up:
Clinton
Kevin Beazley
Danielle Bowles
Jennifer Ellis
Melissa Loftis
Jackie Murray
Katie Richardson
Carma Roesch
Holly Warwick
Onsted
Dyan Biringer
Marsha Davis
Alaina Ellison
Gina Gemalsky
Cheri Hennig
Alison Klotz
Kevin Ohrman
Katie Pliska
Jennifer Smith
Stefanie Wetherby
LISD
John Hill
Brian Jones
Lisa Mezaros
Ben Murray
Amanda Ream
Jamie Salenbien
Mollie Tanner
Jenny VanDaele-Coury
Mellissa Wilson
It is expected that if you signed up that you will attend all eight days. If you miss a day you will have to make it up at another location in or out of Michigan at your districts cost. Currently the nearest other location is Kent ISD. While Cognitive Coaching will form the base of our coaching model there will be additional pieces developed to support the TZ. All sessions run from 8-3:30 will be at the LISD TECH Center. Lunch will be on your own.
8/13/18 - completed
8/14/18 - completed
10/10/18
10/11/18
11/13/18
11/14/18
2/6/19
2/7/19
Lenawee Transformation Zone
Email: brian.jones@lisd.us
Website: www.lisd.us
Location: 4107 North Adrian Highway, Adrian, MI, USA
Phone: 517-266-6988