Change is our Constant

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Change is our Constant
Jefferson Elementary School
A Nationally Recognized Blue Ribbon School

• Mitzi Webster - PD Building Chair, 1st grade
• Joan Voelker - 4th grade
• Sheryl Robinson - Jefferson Principal

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Jefferson School Facts

• School Type - Elementary 1- 4
• Size - 347 students ( 51 F/R -176 student
  population)
• (22 IEP - 76 student population)
• Geographic Location - Small city in a rural area
• Staff Characteristics
• Principal 4 years
• 15 Classroom teachers
• 7 Resource specialists
• 4 Paraprofessionals
• 10 Support Staff

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Jefferson School and Community Information

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Jefferson Staff Data Total Number of Certified
Staff 31
Total Combined years of Experience 258
Years Bachelor Degree 31 Master Degree
27 Masters 60 hours 6 Teacher
Grant Writers 11 Curriculum Writing All
staff actively involved in the working document.
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Jefferson Assessments
District generated MASTERY TEST fulfilling
curriculum needs. (Replaced Terra Nova
CTBS) Map 3rd/4th Benchmarks
Formative/Summative Curriculum Aligned
Assessments Ultra Rigby/SRI
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Missouri Assessment Program (MAP)
ResultsCommunication Arts
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Missouri Assessment Program (MAP)
ResultsMathematics
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Critical Events in the Change Process
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Critical Events in the Change Process
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Critical Events in the Change Process
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Over View of Jefferson School Change Process
New visionary superintendent - 1st year New
visionary principal - 2nd year Communication
Positive school climate (time management)
Active engagement of all stakeholders


Alignment of district curriculum with state
Semi-annual benchmarks
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Jefferson School Change Process
Common planning time in all grades Flexible
grouping of students in CA and MA Inclusion of
all special services students Differentiated
instruction for all students Professional
development At -risk meetings with counselor
(see hand out)
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Outline of Changes
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Outline of Changes
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Outline of Changes
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The Role of Trust in Schools

• Trustworthiness-
• Kindness
• Openness
• Honesty
• Reliability
• Competence

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Book Study Domino Effect

• Stronger Relationships
• Mutual Respect
• Trust
• Risk-Taking
• Best Practices
• Higher Standards

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Benchmark and State MAP Scoring

• Scoring of Benchmark Tests
• In-State Scoring of State-Level Tests

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Resources

• Surveys
• Partnership with Southeast Missouri State
  University
• Instructional Curriculum Coordinators

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Jeffersons Strategies for Doubling Student
Performance

• Collaboration
• Common Planning Time
• Weekly Grade Level Meetings
• Other Strategies
• Flexible Groups
• Class Within a Class
• Differentiated Instruction
• Student Achievement Monitored

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• What Changed?
• Attitudes and beliefs
• Classroom instruction
• Why?
• Owned by teachers
• Widespread
• Rigor

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• Summary Points
• Visionary Leadership
• Relationships
• Professional Development by the professionals
• Challenges for 08/09
• Keeping staff morale positive, book studies
  Fred Factor (Sanborne)
• The First Days of School (Wong)
• Creating relevant learning integrated with real
  life experiences
• Increasing expertise in working with at risk
  families.
• Keeping staff learning, growing and setting
  goals