Heather Lechner, the new school leader, introduces herself and outlines her expectations for teachers at the beginning of the school year. Her top priority is ensuring students develop a love of learning while preparing for high school. Teachers are expected to have three weeks of lesson plans and assessments ready by August 2nd. Additional expectations include having the classroom decorated and stocked, three days of substitute plans prepared, and a displayed college diploma and pennant. Professional development funds of $1000 per teacher are also provided. The school leader invites all teachers to a welcome BBQ on either July 9th or 24th to get to know each other better before the school year starts.

1. Respect Excellence No Excuses Enthusiasm Wonder
Hello Sci Tech Academy Middle School Staff,
As the beginning of the year quickly approaches I wanted to take a moment and introduce myself
and inform you of some of my expectations for the beginning of the year. The number one goal of
the year is to ensure that our students get smarter as we cultivate a love and curiosity for learning
while preparing them for a rigorous high school and subsequently college. By actively cultivating
these traits we drive relentlessly towards our school’s unified goal to reach the target SPS score of 80
or above set by our CMO. All champion teachers know that you begin with the end in mind. So too
will we, as we set our sights on excellence and the 80+ SPS score. For us this means that each
classroom should be driving to at least 65% of our kids scoring basic or above as a floor for
achievement this year. If we don’t know where we are headed then I believe we will never get there.
For those who I have not had the pleasure of meeting I would like to take an opportunity to briefly
introduce myself. My name is Heather Lechner and I am entering my third year as a
school/instructional leader. Hailing originally from Iowa I consider myself more of a Pacific North
Westerner since I attended high school in Seattle and College in Portland, Oregon. After completing
graduate school in Detroit, Michigan I moved to the lovely State of Louisiana as a TFA Corps
member and have continued to work in Education for the past 13 years.
Working alongside me this year is Vasy McCoy. Vasy has spent the last several years teaching science
and engineering at the high school level, and was honored as last year’s district teacher of the year.
After graduating with a masters degree in architecture, he worked as an architect for over five years
before joining Teach for America in New Orleans.
Together we are excited and ready to hit the ground running to make our students, teachers and year
a success. In an effort to help prepare for this success there are a few things that I expect you to
have in place by day one. As many of these things require preparation or forethought we felt it was
important to inform you sooner rather than later.
1. Most of you received an email from Gary that stated you have $500 for classroom
decoration/readiness. Just to clarify, the $500 if to beautify your classroom as well as
purchase any additional supplies and resources that you may need. Generally speaking many
schools provide teachers with approximately $200-$250 for classroom materials, so you
might want to factor that in if you are accustomed to receiving those funds. This money is
available through reimbursement so please be sure to keep your receipts. Also, if there are
some general basic supplies that you need please see me or Vasy as we may have some to
distribute so you can use your money on more subject specific needs.

2. Respect Excellence No Excuses Enthusiasm Wonder
2. Room Assignments: There have been a few changes so I wanted to be sure that everyone
has an updated list so if you wanted to see your room or begin working you could do that.
Robyn White 6/7 ELA Annex 334
Adrienne Hamlin 6/7 Math Annex 234
Amy Laurenza 7/8 ELA Annex 335
Betsy Sedlar 7/8 Math Annex 235
Christopher Gunther 6-8 Science Annex 232-233
Kyle Walther 6-8 Social Studies Annex 332-333
Guy Clarke 6-8 Inclusive SPED Annex 230*
T.B.D. 6-8 Self Contained SPED T.B.D.
Tim Hearin 6-8 Behavior Interventionist 2nd floor
Newer Building
Lisa Giarratano 8.5 Self Contained Annex 330*
*indicates room change
3. What happens in your classroom on a daily basis is the number one indicator of the success
of the students in our school. I understand that you stand at the frontlines daily and are
charged with the task of educating our students to that end planning is paramount. On
August 2, you will need to display in your classroom your first three weeks of lesson plans
accompanied by their assessments. We are working on a 7 week cycle with formal
assessments every three weeks, the first of which is created by you and the second of which
is generated by the Achievement Network. The scope and sequence, as well as the
instructional framework will be provided within the next week. Please be sure your own
pacing is closely aligned to this scope and sequence as all of our interim assessments are
based on this guide.
4. Prepare at least three days worth of substitute work. Please ensure that the work is
meaningful and drives instruction in your absence. Tell them where to keep them in the
room or to turn them into you so they can easily be found and exactly when they need to be
ready by.
5. Attached you will find a room readiness checklist, please be sure to review the form carefully
because it clearly articulates the expectations for your classroom on day 1.
6. Since we all want to know each other better (our students included) and we are a college
prep school I am requesting that each of you display your college/university diploma in your
classroom as well as your college pennant. If you could please write a brief description of
your college/university and any notable facts/famous alums that would be great! Do you
want them to display the description or send it to you?

3. Respect Excellence No Excuses Enthusiasm Wonder
7. At ReNew we value professional development, and are working to develop the most
proficient educators in the city. To that end you will have $1000 to apply towards your own
professional development. Keep your eyes open for workshops, conferences or seminars
that might want to attend to grow in your career!
8. Save the date! July 9/24. I would like to invite you all to my humble home for a BBQ/get
together so we can get to know each other a little better before we embark on this great
journey! 2827 Powhatan St. NOLA 70126 Which date, the 24th? Cant tell….this is a
GREAT idea!
I look forward to working with you and surpassing the goal that has been set before us, the kids are
WORTH IT!