Secondary 7-12 Focus on Instruction
September 2020
Focus on the Future
I'd be lying to myself and you if I said this year hasn't been rough. It has been. It's felt like the year of "one more." One more month of quarantine, one more meeting, one more program to learn, one more spreadsheet. I've caught myself many times feeling frustrated and wanting it all to be over. Instead of giving in to those feelings, though, I'm working on focusing on something else - the future.
We prepare future-ready students in a positive and engaging educational environment.
This is what's happening right now. We are actively working towards our mission statement. There have been growing pains. But when it all settles down, we will be stronger than ever. Though it's been painful and forced at times, our students are learning valuable skills. Participating in virtual meetings and navigating the internet and web applications are things they will need to be able to do (in varying degrees and capacities) for the rest of their lives. Technologically literate young adults will have more opportunities, sometimes in careers that have yet to be identified. Teachers are staff will see a payoff as well - the field of education is not going to suddenly stop utilizing distance learning and technology. Technology has been on the menu for decades now, and distance learning is an excellent way to reach students who would otherwise not have access to a solid education. Those who have worked through the frustration to acquire new skills will flourish in this new world.
I know it's often frustrating and painful. But I can see growth happening, and that makes me excited for the future. I am proud of the teachers at Westwood Junior High and High School. Things are still crazy right now, so I don't have the time I wish I did to thank you all individually for the amazing things you're doing.
IC Corner
The beginning of the school year is always accompanied by assessment, and this year is certainly no different. This is our chance to see where students are coming to us from, and this year that possibly even more important as we don't even really know where they left off last school year! Renaissance testing is mostly complete at the High School, and Junior High is finishing up as well. I have begun to work on getting the digital data walls up and running for the STAAR tested subjects, using a combination of last year's spring benchmarks and the COVID EOY assessments. As we get Renaissance scores in, I will also be adding those to the data walls and hopefully, we'll be able to get going with a good understanding of where our students are. Any teacher who is not in a STAAR tested subject but might be interested in keeping track of their students' growth and progress can reach out to me and I'll be happy to share the template with you.
Also, don't forget about the curriculum website I began building last year. I've had to put the work there on pause with everything else that is going on, but those teachers who utilize the pacing guides from TEKS Resource System and are keeping track of resources that have proven successful in the classroom will be a huge help to me going forward. Getting together a cohesive and accessible curriculum for all of Westwood ISD is a passion of mine, and I intend to get back to that project as soon as life calms down a bit around here!
WISD Badging
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Curriculum Hubs
HBL Site
Haley Avery
Email: hbavery@westwoodisd.net
Website: www.westwoodisd.net
Location: HS Rm 151, JH Rm 212
Phone: (903) 480-0336
Twitter: @haleybavery