Saying good-bye to 2014...

As we approach the end of 2014, it is a time for us to reflect on where we have been this last year, and where we are going in 2015 with our professional learning.  The Secondary Humanities Team worked with Teachers 21 and began the design of Stage 1 of our curriculum units for English, Foreign Language, Music, Social Studies, Theater, and Visual Arts for the first few months of 2014.  Since August, our Humanities Team has been working on three main focus areas or strands for our Professional Development throughout the 2014-2015 school year: Common Formative Assessment, Data, and Performance Assessments of Stage 2 as well as revising Stage 1.  Training and implementation support in each area has been provided by Deb Merriam from Teachers21, department leaders, teacher leaders, Principals, the Humanities Director and the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.  Each educator selected a primary focus area of interest in August and in December will reflect on our professional learning thus far.  Each teacher will have the opportunity to choose another primary focus area of interest based on individual needs, interests, and readiness or we could continue to work in the area that we chose to delve deeper into the topic.  Teachers have worked hard throughout 2014 to grow as teachers and as learners, which is evident throughout our Professional Learning Communities and our classrooms.  Enjoy your holiday break.  Take time to reflect on the work that you have done on behalf of our students and how much you have grown as an educator in the past 12 months.  In January, we will chart the next steps of our professional learning as we continue to move our students closer to college and career readiness.  Thank you for all your work and commitment, and Happy New Year!