OUR VISION (The image)

• All students will receive high quality teaching experiences to become proficient learners and develop a desire for life long learning.

OUR MISSION(Statement of Purpose)

• We will support school improvement efforts by assisting in the creation of a community of learners and leaders.

OUR BELIEFS (about purpose, function, structure)

• In order for all students to become proficient learners all staff will commit to continuous school improvement efforts as specified in the School/District’s Comprehensive Improvement Plan.
• Leadership must communicate the expectation that training and professional development is ongoing and expected in a professional learning community.
• The District presumes its role is to provide clear guidelines that will give each school site the opportunity to customize their service based on local needs, while still holding each school appropriately accountable for the use of District provided resources.
• Some schools have established excellent resource utilization practices by which others could benefit. Sharing “what is working” and effective systems is part of the District’s professional responsibility.
• District resources are not limitless and ensuring that every resource is used in the most effective way possible is sound management practice. Effective use depends on the expertise and leadership of the School Support Resource Teacher; leadership of the Principal; and a results-driven Work Plan between the school and School Support Resource Teacher.
• Districtwide Instructional Support will meet regularly to discuss, evaluate, review results and effectiveness of services, and to provide information to Assistant Superintendents in order to enhance communication, promote student proficiency, and provide high quality professional development and services to schools.
• The role and responsibilities of School Support Resource Teachers must be clearly defined and communicated to reflect their services as staff developers and agents of change to improve teacher practices by assisting in the creation of a community of adult learners and leaders at their school site.
• Continue to develop a collaborative system between ECE, Technology, ESL Support Staff, Curriculum Specialists and School Support in planning and implementing services
• School Support Resource Teachers must be supported by Principals who create and establish the sense of urgency and need through the school’s vision, mission, and goals
• We are all accountable for the results and outcomes produced by our schools.

OUR GOALS (Guiding Principles to accomplish Mission)

• Recruit and select Master Teachers who demonstrate school leadership, proficiency in best practices, in-depth knowledge in literacy and mathematics with efforts to ensure that other content areas are equitably represented.
• School Support Resource Teachers will participate in high quality professional development activities in the core content areas, best practices in literacy and mathematics or science, diversity and differentiated instruction, assessment practices, technology, and coaching to support and build a learning culture.
• Resource Teachers will be assigned to schools based on identified needs, available resource, with considerations for equity, effective utilization of services, assessment data, school plan focus, and approval by the Assistant Superintendents.
• To act as an on-site trainer, coach, facilitator, change agent, achievement advisor and broker of services for local schools to support the implementation of the District Vision, and on-going improvement in the areas of curriculum, assessment, instruction, professional development, and leadership.
• Build collegial relationships with school community to assist schools with the development of a collaborative learning culture to support, differentiate, and extend learning for all; and to assist in organizing and implementing a school based, job embedded professional development system.
• Assist with implementation and monitoring of the school plan which will include the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data to support school improvement efforts.
• Continue to explore changing name of Resource Teacher to Instructional Coach, Staff Developer, Consultant, Advisor, Teacher Educator, to change image from someone who provides materials, teacher assistant, works with students to a teacher who possesses extensive pedagogical knowledge to support continuous improvement in classroom practices.

More Information about School Support

Resource Teacher Range of Services (PDF Document)

Instructional Support Protocol and Work Focus for 2002-03

Resource Teacher School Cluster Assignement

Instructional Support Phone Numbers