This document provides an overview of the goals and expectations for the 2009 school year opening faculty meeting at Lee-Davis High School. It discusses desired improvements to the learning environment, instructional practices, and embracing changes needed to meet the needs of 21st century learners. Key points of focus include developing 21st century skills, evaluating current practices, setting big goals, and tearing down traditional ways of thinking to better serve students. Staffing changes are also noted.

1. Believe! 2009 School Opening Faculty Meeting

5. What do we want PEOPLE TO KNOW?

6. What is their First Impression?

7. Classroom Environment

8. Building Environment

9. The Physical Plant

10. The Inspiration!

16. Believe Every student has the right to a meaningful education. Instruction should involve students in the process of learning. Expectations should align with policy. Improve the learning environment: HVAC, Lighting, arrangement of classroom Expect students to complete assignments Treat other staff members and students with respect. Student Success Quality Education Appropriate Expectations Optimal Conditions for Learning Eliminate Failure as an option Consistent Expectations Fairness Equity

17. Believe Make things work for Lee-Davis. You don’t have to stand up front to be a leader. We need to expand our tool kit as educators and look to adapt to and embrace change. Collectively – 1600+ years of experience here. Work to provide students with assistance if failure is imminent. Reach out to parents and community leaders. Support Athletics and extra curricular activities. Organization Leadership Knowledge Teamwork Intervention Community Pride

18. What has changed? Expectations 1900 1950 2009

19. Generational Influence Veteran Baby Boomer Generation X Millennial What type of learner you are determines the methodology you teach with. What are your priorities? What is important to you? What is important to your students?

21. Change As educators, we are often resistant to change: lesson plans, instructional practices, etc… Professional Development often viewed as “the next thing” instead of a continuum. This year – we will start a “Year of Discovery” geared to the improvement of instruction: PLC development: 21 st Century Skills and Brain based Learning – a teacher focus Math Institute – an instructional focus Robert Greenleaf: October 12 th – student learner focus

23. Learning Elementary School – classroom looks fun, inviting, they can’t wait to get there! Middle School-More Structure, more rows, more rules High School – Rigid format, bells ring, rules, rules, rules As educators, we need to communicate expectations and goals from day one. Not Behavioral Do we have different expectations in September than in June? Why? Communicating with students, parents and each other. Invitation Environment Expectations & Goals Consistency Modeling Inter-personal relationships Intra-personal relationships

24. Fear of the unknown Why should we do something different?

26. 21 st Century What type of participant are you? Understanding strengths & differences of students. Engage them in the learning – don’t just tell them what to do. What is the purpose of this assignment? Focus on the end result – not the teaching. Respect & Responsibility – they need to feel they matter! Put in context – what they learn relate other knowledge. Evaluate what you currently do. Create Conditions Frontal Lobe Millennial Learners Achievement Matters Optimal Environment Focus Mission Year of Discovery

27. Set Big Goals We need to set big goals for ourselves and for our students – not related to SOL scores! It’s about the learning – which is not linear. We need to look at what we can add/delete over the course of the year. Today we will all be asked to set goals – personal, professional, departmental. THINK BIG! Importance – not what we teach, or how we teach it – but the why/where/when we assess what they know that is important – and methodology.

28. Changes (physical) New Senior Patio created. Faculty Patio/Garden area created. 40 classrooms painted Commons area painted ISS room painted Gym Floor refinished “ E” Hall door frames painted Aqua Blue – no more!

31. Change AP Assignments : 9 th Grade: Melissa Hilderbrand 10 th Grade: Jennifer Cohodas 11 th Grade: Robert Sargeant 12 th Grade: Ginny Matthews Counselors : Director: Margo-lyn Grant 9 th Grade: Abby Allen 10 th Grade: Amy Coulliard Substitute: Marge Cowan 11 th Grade: Jan Zalewski 12 th Grade: Annie Williams Organizational

32. Expectations Reach 21 st Century learners. Develop 21 st Century Skills Work creatively with others Analyze – arguments, claims, beliefs Synthesize Information Problem Solving Work Independently Communicate effectively Articulate arguments Use multi-media technologies Work Collaboratively On projects – assume responsibility Instructional Change

34. Expectations Evaluate and Analyze what we currently do as teachers: Assessment created first? Last? Why? Type? Lesson Plans – same as always? Activities for students – purpose? Homework – purpose, expectations? Syllabus – should contain clear, concise language for: Grading Policies Makeup Work Expectations for Cited work Goals for Students to attain

35. Tear down the Box 4 minute mile – experts said it could not be done! May 1954 – ran 3:59.4 37 people since then have done the same thing! Lincoln – wanted perfect Generals Lost battle after battle from 1861-64 Grant leads Union to victory even though he has personal problems. Message – worst thing we can say is the word “can’t” Students can learn and it can be meaningful. Be willing to do something extra-ordinary. We don’t move forward if we keep using the word “can’t” We don’t just need to “think outside the box”, we need to tear down the box we have, redesign the box, make it useful for the 21 st century and make the box serve a purpose for our students”

36. Change Bell Schedule – 4 daily blocks Small % of students @ THCTT On Line Grading Teacherease grading program Gradual Implementation for parents Blackboard 21 st Century learning Teacherease page linked to BB Update weekly Add Principal & AP as TA to your site. Pre-conference – show your stuff! For Students For Faculty For Parents

37. Staffing Changes New Positions Director of Counseling: Margo-lyn Grant Health & PE DC – David Wilton New to Lee-Davis High School Choral – Jana Martin Counseling – Abby Allen Drama: Katherine Facemire English: John Working Physical Education: Dana Johnson, Lindsey Covington Science: Renee Reisenweaver & Devon Thiel Social Studies: David Hillgrove & Sarah Farrar Special Education: Sarah Anton, Eva Hahn, Linda Hahn, Tim Sanders, Daryl Morris, Wyatt Hicks, Denise Bonovitch, Martin Darby, Elizabeth Knight

38. Classroom Environment?

39. Carousel Brain Storm You are divided into 1 of 7 groups When you arrive in commons – listen to directions from facilitators Each station contains a statement (open ended) for you to complete/fill in add to. Rotate when the music stops When finished, have a seat at the tables. Reflection and Report out will take place.

40. Believe!