Teachers, staff collaborate on ways
to improve student achievement

Some teachers met at Roosevelt Elementary School with
Principal Dot Weathersby.

Roosevelt Junior High School Principal Shalonda Randle hands out some
math materials to teachers who met at her school for the Feb. 2nd Institute Day.

These teachers gathered at Roosevelt Junior High School.

Harriet Tubman Elementary School Principal Kathie McHenry helps
a group of teachers get started on their discussions at her school.


Park Elementary School third grade teachers Laura Greene, left,
and Aprille Shelly, shared some ideas.

Dolton West Elementary District 148 educators and staff spent Tuesday, February 2nd working together to develop different ways to help students learn.

While students had the day off from school, teachers spent the morning hours in groups coming up with new lesson plans and approaches for raising student achievement in reading and math – the two subject areas emphasized by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Using the district’s 2009 Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) results as a backdrop for their discussions, teachers and support staff focused on areas in which students fell short of meeting or exceeding state expectations. The exchange was primarily geared toward the 2010-2011 school year but may be applied to this year’s March 2 through March 12 ISAT testing period as well.

This year, schools across Illinois will be expected to have at least 77.5 percent of students meeting state standards in reading and math.

Led by building principals and assistant principals, the day’s sessions were mapped out by District 148 Assistant Superintendent Dr. Patricia Moore along with Superintendent Dr. Jayne E. Purcell, Response to Intervention (RtI) Analyst/Administrative Liaison and 21st Century Director Cynthia Marks, and Director of Support Programs Dr. Candace Dunleavy.

Specialized teachers focused on integrating reading and math into their content areas.

Nurses and health aides worked to create plans based on Illinois learning standards for health.

Special education paraprofessionals and permanent substitute teachers discussed their classroom roles while social workers and safety facilitators prepared for having the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program in place at all schools for the coming school year.

Overall, evaluations showed the District 148 staff enjoyed the rich discussions and would like to have more articulation sessions in the future.

Various groups of teachers came together at Washington Junior High School.

Washington Elementary and Junior High Principal Michael Bruce meets
with a group of teachers at Washington Junior High School.

Lincoln Elementary and Junior High School Assistant Principal Torie Navarre, at left,
goes over some plans with teachers who met at Washington Junior High School.

These teachers collaborated at Washington Elementary School.

Riverdale Elementary School Principal Dr. Kathy Conroy meets with kindergarten
teachers who spent the morning at her school.


Among those on hand for the discussion at Riverdale Elementary School
was Success for All Coach Sharon Hampton, center.


Park Elementary School Principal Dell McFarlane, far right, sits in on a
discussion at her school with a group of Grade 1 teachers.


These groups of teachers came together at Park Elementary School.

Franklin Elementary School Principal Lisa Davis, at right, spends time with teachers
who gathered at her school.


Groups of teachers discussed ideas and plans while at Franklin Elementary School.

Lincoln Elementary and Junior High School Principal Michael Winston joined
this group's discussion.


These teachers also met at Lincoln Junior High School.