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ALCOVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLA DECADE OF EXCELLENCE

BELIEFS

• Questions: • Do you believe there is a global need for better

education?• Do you believe if a child hasn’t learned the material

then it hasn’t been effectively taught? • Do you believe data collection is more of an autopsy or

a diagnosis?• Do you believe that all students can achieve at high

levels?• Do you believe the time you put in with each child

makes the world a better place?• What does intelligece look like?

PRIORITIES

• Collaboration is the key to taking the next step toward continuous improvement.

• Define the characteristics of our expectations. (what does it look like?)1. Teach respect by modeling respect2. Teach values by modeling values• Raise the expectation for behavior, social interaction,

and performance. • Cultivate the talents of each individual child.• Take control of what we have power over: our belief

system, educational opportunities, and relationships.

FOCUS

• Schools that improve have a focus that includes:1. Strategies for improvement2. Clarity on what excellent instruction looks like3. Increased capacity of teachers4. Strong parent community ties, no matter the

social economic status5. A culture where learning is at the center

ACTIONS• Lab classrooms with a focus on grade level needs and a

shared understanding of how things should be done• A clear vision of what high level engagement looks like• Teacher directed staff development based on data

discussions• Collaboration, Collaboration, Collaboration (We do not get

better in isolation.)• Focus on each and every student and student group• Building relationships with students and community• Focus on exceeding standards (Schools win when you take

over the middle and push them to the top.)• Real learning comes from revising and resubmitting. Failure

is not an option!

CULTURE

• Culture is more important than any other factor that impacts student performance.• Our norms, beliefs and expectations = Our

Culture

EXPERIENCES

• Provide opportunities for students to experience learning!• We will link with UGA to provide experiences for

our students. (How can you aspire to be something you have never seen before?)• Only 6% of Americans have degrees in the

Sciences.• Cardinal Showcase, Project Based Learning,

Computer Lab Direction, Collaborative Learning

TAKE RISKS

• Are we teaching a new year or just the same year the 20th time?• Success is never final!• Innovation occurs when we step outside of our

comfort zone and take risks!• Try things, find what works, what does not work,

and do better the next time.

FINAL THOUGHTS

• Harboski- “Remember our words become our actions, our actions become our habits, our habits develop our character and our character determines our destiny.”

• Teachers touch eternity through their students!