Points of Pride: Clinton Community School District in Clinton, IA

 "Being awesome today!" (Deborah Olson, Superintendent)

Those are the three words of advice Deborah Olson gave to her school district signaling the opening of the 2014-15 school year.  She explained, "If we each work at being awesome today, we will go great places."  And great places is where Clinton Community School District is headed.

Clinton's population:  26, 600.   Population of the school district: over 3900 with four elementary schools, two (soon to be one in November) middle schools, and one high school.  Free and Reduced Lunch Rate: approximately 61%

It was a privilege to visit with Deborah Olson, Superintendent, and John Jorgensen, Curriculum Director, of the Clinton Community School District in Clinton, Iowa.  It is evident that Clinton's leaders share a vision of creating an atmosphere in the Clinton School District of working towards continuous improvement.  Clinton principals are committed to providing collaboration time for teaching teams to implement core instruction and to establish interventions that are systematic, timely, and targeted to meet individual student learning needs.

Clinton High School has much of which to be proud:

• Graduation rate up 5%
• 3.0 Club Membership up 13%
• Overall course failures down 79%
• Behavior referrals down 50%
• Rigorous Course Enrollment up 110%
• Attendance up 3%

Clinton employees have a shared mission of ensuring high levels of learning for every student and teaching teams work collaboratively to achieve the mission of "educating all students to their highest level of achievement through an engaging curriculum in a caring community."  An ongoing focus by staff is on unpacking standards, developing common formative assessments, analysis of data, and providing interventions and extensions with decisions based on what is in the best interest of all students.  Steps are strategically taken to assure students that each day they face a group of caring adults who hold them accountable both academically and behaviorally.

Game changers within the district include Response to Intervention structures and the use of ST Math, an individualized program that takes students from where they currently are in math and pushes them to higher levels using cognitive guided instruction.  The staff has worked on using the Gradual Release of Responsibility when delivering instruction including guided practice, questioning, prompting, and providing clues - all to lead students to discover answers.  In Clinton schools, connections are the key to student achievement with an emphasis on giving students an opportunity to fully apply their will to succeed.

What is ahead for Clinton Schools?  Most recently, Clinton High School showcased its Innovation Classroom, providing all classes with an opportunity to use a classroom fitted with advanced technology where students can work collaboratively both in and outside of the classroom to solve real-world problems.  In this classroom, students use the WHOLE CLASS INQUIRY (WCI)  model and are provided authentic situations in multiple content areas to stimulate critical thinking and analysis of information.  Intuition and entrepreneurialism is valued, effective oral and written communication is emphasized, and curiosity and imagination are encouraged through a collaborative partnership with the University of Iowa, utilizing the elements of instructional design found within the "innovation" concept.

John Jorgensen (C&I) and Deborah Olson

 In November, the two middle school sites currently in Clinton will move into a new middle school building with plans for two innovative classrooms to further enhance 21st Century skills.

John Jorgensen's theme for this year's school year?  "Getting great at what works!"  That is what Clinton Schools are doing - looking at what works and making them great.  In the words of Ben Franklin, "Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." It is obvious that Clinton Schools are committed to continual growth!  Good luck, Clinton River Kings & Queens, in your quest for success!

Points of Pride: Andrew School in Andrew, IA

"What would be possible if your school were filled with students who were responsible, who showed initiative, who were creative, who knew how to set goals and meet them, who got along with people of various backgrounds and cultures, and who could resolve conflicts and solve problems?" (quote for THE LEADER IN ME website, leaderinme.org)

Superintendent Crozier & Principal Notz

When one enters Andrew School, visitors are met with a banner proclaiming LEADER IN ME school.  It takes just a moment with Andy Crozier, superintendent, and Tara Notz, principal, to understand that to be a LEADER IN ME school is a leadership operating system for a school as well as all stakeholders in a community.  Andrew School, grades Preschool-grade 8, is located in eastern Iowa in Jackson County.  Population: 431.  Population of its school:  180 with 20 teachers.  Free and Reduced Lunch: nearing 60%. Andrew may be small but its focus on developing individual leadership roles is mighty. 

Data Walls

Andrew School is in Year 3 of its implementation of Steven Covey's Leader in Me system.  Year 1 began with a focus on adult leadership - staff discovering their leadership styles and defining their leadership roles in the school community.  In Year 2, student leadership notebooks were implemented along with student-led conferences.  The focus was on students setting goals, charting academic and behavior progress, and providing individual leadership roles in every classroom.  In year 3, data tracking is becoming the norm in each room with data walls dedicated to monitoring and charting whole class behaviors related to  leadership, academic progress, and action plans.  Quality Leadership Roles have been defined by staff with ratings of 1 (needs improvement), 2 (displaying quality leadership but room for improvement), and 3 (quality leadership is strong).  Even when students are at recess, those in charge give them a rating to post in the classroom with discussion back in class about how to move from a 2 to a 3 in leadership. The focus is always proactive and a push for continuous improvement.

Under Tara Notz's leadership this year, new initiatives are moving forward - their special education model is moving from "pull out" to "push in", Daily Five is defining classroom differentiation, and Professional Learning Communities are helping to promote a culture of achievement throughout the building.  Tara's belief is that as principal she provides a service to support and frequently asks her teachers what they need and want.  She and Andy are providing the structure that allows teachers to perform their job in the best way possible.  She states that "Learning by Doing" can be messy but also fun with reminders that it's all about the journey in an atmosphere where it is safe to be vulnerable with colleagues who care.  Tara reminds her staff, "Don't be afraid to take a leap."

Murals and quotes offer inspiration to all who travel through Andrew School.  One mural offers these words by John Quincy Adams; "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."  At Andrew, dreaming, learning, doing, and becoming is evident throughout the building.  Their goal:  to be designated a Leader in Me Lighthouse school, the first in Iowa.  At Andrew School, all are "becoming more" and in the words of one student, "I want to show other students you don't have to be on a committee to be a leader."  Words of advice we all should follow as we take the journey in discovering the Leader in all of us! 

The Trained Eye & Voice

This post begins with a picture of cows in a field during a light rain.  I smile when I see this photo because as we were driving along old Highway 61 last week, my husband began to laugh.  When I asked him what was so funny, he pointed out the cows and said, "Look how they have their heads down and are washing off their backs in the rain!"  Only something a farmer with a trained eye could notice.  This photo reminds me of the importance of the trained eye of us who are in education.  We notice the things that maybe the untrained do not - a child's downcast eyes, a silly poke by another student, the correct answer but also the incorrect with clues as to what a student does and does not understand.  What is beautiful about a trained eye is the knowledge we gain through that vision!  In Maquoketa we were treated to a morning and afternoon with talented individuals who were willing to share their trained "eyes and voices," with their only purpose being to inspire our students.

Caroline Jones sharing her talent

Giving out autographs

Dreams! Goals! Identity! Focus! Inspiration! Love!  Themes from the motivational workshops provided to the Maquoketa Community School District students in grades K-8 in August.  Caroline Jones with her trained voice took us on a journey of inspiration through her sharing of music and lyrics.  She shared the stage with numerous students who were enthusiastic about showcasing their talents.  Her lyrics were filled with messages about following your passion that inspires you and to "love the journey every step of your life."  Students came forward to sing their favorite songs and enjoy a moment of "stardom" as they shared the stage and microphone with Caroline.  After her performance, she took time to sign autographs and share words of wisdom with students who were lucky enough to spend a morning with one very passionate and joy-filled performer.

Sharing the spotlight with students

In the afternoon, older students were treated to words of wisdom by Stedman Graham. His message was focused on understanding your identity and defining who you are through your interests and passions.  He also shared the auditorium with many volunteers who gave their insight on what it means to be a leader.  Graham emphasized the importance of leading not following with a positive attitude and with love at the center of your decisions.  His final advice, "All you have to do to win is rise each time you fall!"  Something of which all of us need to be reminded.

Second Chances

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

–Margaret Mead

What I especially love about the start of a new school year is the opportunity it affords everyone to have a “second chance.”  No matter what last year held, this is a new year, a time to enter different classrooms, face different teachers, master a different schedule, and a second chance at redefining who you are.  What a time of hope and possibility!  The school buildings are shiny and clean.  The rooms hold new bulletin boards with fresh lettering and bright sayings that beckon one into the learning environment.  The school staff is ready with new units and new ideas to present.  The students enter with new supplies and a new hope of what lies ahead.  I love second chances!  I love to see how I can make things better than the year before, what new ideas can be implemented, what learning can we all enter into during the school year!  The new school year signals the end of summer, but it also signals a new year – one filled with second chances and a hope for new learning and adventures!  Enjoy redefining your school life! Make the most of your “second chance” and enjoy the journey of a new school year!

At the Core - NNSTOY Conference in Philly

After Washington, D.C., I attended the NNSTOY (National Network of State Teachers of the Year) Conference in Philadelphia July 9-12.  The theme was "At the Core" where we heard from Cagebusting Leader/Cagebusting Teacher author Rick Hess, Charlotte Danielson (Qualities of Effective Teaching), Angela Duckworth (the importance of non-cognitve skills), and US Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan.  It was a time to discuss issues in education policy, learn about improving teaching practices, and be stirred on towards advocacy in order to improve the profession and strengthen student learning across the nation.  On Day 1 we had options for community service - including Philabundance Hunger Relief Center, Cradles to Crayons, and the Philadelphia Zoo.  My group worked at Cradles to Crayons - an organization that provides clothing and supplies to needy children around the area.  Here's a view of the important role this organization plays in Pennsylvania:

 

MY BIG TAKE AWAY:  The importance of non-cognitive skills in our schools resonated with me throughout this conference.  As educators, we are reminded not to lose the creative and innovative side of education.  If we consider the most recent research cited in the book by Yong Zhao entitled Catching Up or Leading the Way – American Education in the Age of Globalization, we find that places like Singapore and Korea, top performers on International assessments are sending their students to America to learn to “think outside the box” - to learn creativity. They realize that cognitive knowledge does not transfer into the innovators needed in today’s 21st Century world.  As we focus on testing, let’s not lose the creative side of education – those who are the future artists, designers, musicians, discoverers, and explorers – who may or may not perform well on cognitive tests but need a place where their talents are encouraged, appreciated, and celebrated.  When celebrating human achievement, let’s remember to celebrate our future plumbers, electricians, welders, and CNAs by also emphasizing the non-cognitive skills that will determine career readiness.  According to research, these skills are actually a better determination of future success than any standardized test.  As educators, let’s make the culture of our school one that celebrates the diverse learning interests and backgrounds of all students.  We need accountability but in the process we must not lose the creative side that makes our American system of education unique in this world.  We are reminded of this through Albert Einstein’s saying:  “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.”