Reforming Hickory Ridge High School

Kenna Dawson Courtney McAnany Linda Sharp Lisa Slivoski Reforming Hickory Ridge High School

technology driven and innovative school district. • produce students with critical thinking & technology skills. • increase standardized test scores district wide. • implement school based reforms beginning at Hickory Ridge • foster collaboration between veteran and new teachers to share knowledge, experience and skills Wingfield School Board has established a mission and vision to:

The following initiatives have taken place at Hickory Ridge High School over the past two years: • Jim O’Connor hired as principal • technology equipment has been purchased for each classroom • Key personnel has been sent to industry trainings • funds have been allocated for staff training • 27 new teachers with strong technology skills and potential for leadership positions have been hired School Board Initiatives

Classroom computer usage Standardized test scores Conflict between new and veteran teachers Lack of teamwork, mutual respect and collaboration Career advancement opportunities for new teachers has not materialized Assessment of Progress

Critical of new teachers Difficulty promoting teamwork Enmeshed in the staff conflict Ineffective leadership Principal Concerns

Solution: • Creating a Mission and Vision • Principal Mentorship Program • Team Building • Technology Reforming Hickory Ridge High School

Formal recognition of Principal O’Connor’s community work • Review school data and brainstorm plans for school reform • Develop mission with input from all stakeholders • Begin with self analysis Mission

Mission statement defines the purpose of the school • Participation by all stakeholders fosters collaboration and solidifies commitment* • All school staff share common goals • Going through the process develops a strong sense of belonging Mission (con’t)

Extends and clarifies the mission statement Defines educational philosophy, goals and values of Hickory Ridge High Specifies goals and desired future states Includes measureable objectives Vision

Includes process for monitoring and evaluation All school tasks, curriculum and instruction should be aligned with vision Professional development activities should be aligned with vision Vision (Cont’d)

Evaluation of students and staff should be aligned with the vision Vision should be embedded in the daily work of the school Vision (Cont’d)

Principal Mentorship

There is a need Benefits of a mentor Building relationships The Mentoring Program Principal Mentorship

New administrator Mr. O’Connor is not respected or trusted Lacks communication with younger staff Unsuccessful in leading toward the vision Principal Mentorship: 1) There Is a Need

Builds skills and confidence Benefits principal, teachers, and students Improved leadership has positive effects on student engagement and achievement (Saban & Wolfe, 2009) Allows for collegial interaction (Robinson, Horan & Nanavati, 2009) Develop skills in relationship building Principal Mentorship:2) Benefits

Build relationships based on trust and confidence Show appreciation for effort and recognize accomplishments Teachers will gain respect Principal Mentorship: 3) Building Relationships

Solid relationships allow people to take risks. (Saban & Wolfe, 2009)

Districts have developed institutes for new administrators (Cunningham & Cordeiro, 2009) First national mentoring certification program Principal Mentorship: 4) The Mentoring Program

National Mentor Program http://www.naesp.org/national-mentor-program-0

Mr. O’Connor will receive a trained mentor and attend the Leadership Immersion Institute Paired with an experienced administrator in the District Principal Mentorship: 4) The Mentoring Program

Teambuilding

Teambuilding activities to open faculty trainings Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Peer Mentoring Teambuilding Initiatives

Veteran teachers • Knowledgeable about Wingfield School District, programs, services, and families • 27 new teachers added to staff • High potential • Technologically competent • Knowledgeable about needed reforms Hickory Ridge High School Faculty

Short teambuilding activities should be implemented at the beginning of faculty trainings and in-services. These should be: • Quick • Enjoyable • Fun Teambuilding Strategies

Insert directions…. Whiteboard Game

Professional Learning Communities • Hickory Ridge should create PLC’s • Departmentally • Teachers who work together on a daily basis • Collaborative work becomes stronger when teachers take responsibility for a common group of students

Mentoring Program • Pair up veteran teachers with new teachers • Designed to help both teachers • Beginning teacher develops new skills, learns about district and community • Veteran teacher gains technology skills, mentoring also allows self-reflection and mutual cooperation

Technology

Hickory Ridge High School has been equipped with up to date hardware and software. The main technology issue the school faces is the integration of technology into the classroom. Technology Problem + = A technology driven school district where students are engaged, aware, and prepared for a world saturated with technology

Technology Survey Employ knowledge brokers Assessment/monitoring Distance learning Technology Plan

Technology Survey • An in depth technology survey will be conducted to assess the current technological fluency of the staff and their ability to implement it into their lessons. Photo from: http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-9/surveying-online-technology-a-matter-of-design-a-peer-reviewed-article-by-ian-robertson

Knowledge brokers are onsite technology advisors. • Instructional leaders • Knowledge of hardware & software • Maintain up to date information on current trends in technology and its use in the classroom. Employ Knowledge Brokers

Principal O’Connor and the District will monitor the integration of technology through: • Lesson plans • Professional Development Plans (PDPs) • Classroom observations Assessment & Monitoring

Distance Learning • The District’s professional development program provides training through distance learning. This will serve as a model to teachers in the implementation of technology in the classroom.

“Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.” ~Chinese Proverb

Assay, T.; Doverspike, D.; Vaiana, P. (2005) Forming and communicating the vision. Momentum, 36(3), 27- 31. Gow, P. (2009). Missions, mantras, and meaning: what should mission statements do? Independent School, 69(1) 27-28. Sommers, D. (2009). Information leadership: leading with the end in mind. Techniques, 84(4), 42-45. References: Mission and Vision

Cunningham, W. G. & Cordeiro, P. A. (2009). Educational Leadership: A bridge to improved practice. (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Hall, P. (2008). Building bridges: strengthening the principal induction process through intentional mentoring. Phi Delta Kappan, 32, 449-452. Robinson, J., Horan, L., & Nanavati, M. (2009). Creating a mentoring coaching culture for ontario school leaders. Adult Learning, 20(1/2), 35-38. Saban, J., & Wolfe, S. (2009). Mentoring principals around leadership practices. Catalyst for Change, 36(1), 2-6. References: Principal Mentorship

Haun, D.D., & Martin, B.N. (2004). Attrition of beginning teachers and the factors of collaboration and school setting. RMLE Online: Research in Middle Level Education, 27(2), 1-7. Iancu-Haddad, D., & Oplatka, I. (2009). Mentoring novice teachers: motives, process, and outcomes from the mentor’s point of view. New Educator, 5(1), 45-65. Nugent, J.S., Reardon, R.M., Smith, F.G., Rhodes, J.A., Zander, M.J., & Carter, T.J. (2008). Exploring faculty learning communities: building connections among teaching, learning, and technology. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 20(1), 51-58. References: Team Building

Duncan-Howell, J. (2010). Teachers making connections: Online communities as a source of professional learning. British Journal of Educational Technology , 324-340. Hartnell-Young, E. (2006). Teachers' roles and professional learning in communities of practice supported by technology in schools. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education , 461-480. Plair, S. K. (2008). Revamping professional development for technology integration and fluency. The Clearing House , 70-74. References: Technology

Reforming Hickory Ridge High School