SPHS Curriculum and Instruction
September 9, 2019
An Overview of Professional Development for 2019-20
In this newsletter, I am going to focus on professional development opportunities for the 2019-20 school year as we have just rolled out Educator Effectiveness PLPs. Most all of you have turned in your PLP for this year through Google classroom (thank you!), and have noticed there are some similarities and differences between last year's PLP and this year's PLP. I suspect our school will always review and reflect on standardized test scores--it is what we are taught to do as educators. At the high school level, we spend our time looking at ACT scores, AP scores, WorkKeys scores, pre-ACT scores, Scantron scores, formative assessments, etc. At Spain Park, we are data-driven educators. In addition to reviewing and implementing data-driven instruction in our classrooms, we are also committed to improving the culture of our school. Keep in mind--every person in our building likely has ideas about how to make this happen based on our own experiences. However, it is our job, as administrators, teachers, and staff members to build a common idea of what that positive culture looks like at Spain Park High School. This is our task for 2019-20.
You have probably noticed that one of the action plans on the PLP for improving school culture is "I will participate in and reflect on professional development activities focusing on building a school culture that promotes understanding and acceptance of our diverse student population in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, ability, class, gender, and sexual identity through education and inclusion." This statement is so very powerful because it was purposely crafted by our newly-developed Faculty Diversity Council AND because it includes all students. Last year, our school focused on race as a culture due to the events we are all too familiar with. And yes--that is something we absolutely should have done as our students were hurting. It was our job as adults in the building to give our hurting students more attention because it was what they needed. I have heard Mr. G relate this to being a parent--when one of our children is hurting, we give that child the attention and support they need. Absolutely! I know I have done this with my own children and with students in my classroom/school.
This year, we will, of course, continue to provide that support to our children who hurt last year. However, we will also commit to learning about and including all of our student cultures. Merriam- Webster online dictionary defines culture as:
- the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group
- the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization
Those are just the first two definitions. There are others, too.
Throughout this school year, we will provide opportunities for our faculty and staff to learn about the many cultures of our students. Our faculty field trip to the Legacy Museum is just one part of the big picture of this year's PD plan. As excited as I am to experience the museum with the 50+ others who have signed up, I am equally as excited to learn about other student cultures in our school. Having said that--if you have any connections with organizations or ideas of how we can do that--we are all ears. We have already been collecting names from religious and other organizations, but again if you have connections to pass along, please let us know.
Keep in mind that as we move into this year, there most likely will be PD provided that you may/may not agree with. That is normal as we are not all the same person (thankfully). Each person in the building brings his/her own ideologies/culture into the school. So, here is what we need from you:
- An open mind. These discussions may not be easy, but they are necessary. There may be times you feel uncomfortable, and that is normal. In fact, I sincerely believe that having difficult conversation is how we grow.
- A commitment to respect your colleagues even if they have different opinions. If we can't do this as adults, how can we expect our students to do the same?
- A commitment to taking what you learn this year and reflecting on how you can improving your own classroom culture and our school culture.
As a reminder, these norms were part of our HCS diversity training back in August. They will be the foundation for our progress this year.
- Stay engaged.
- Tell your story
- Experience discomfort.
- Expect and accept non-closure.
I look forward to learning and growing with you this year. Spain Park has an amazing staff, and I am proud to be a small part of our school community.
Respectfully,
:) Yvette
A few pictures I've collected over the past few weeks....
Culturally Responsive Teaching
ELL Training
Thanks