School Improvement Specialist credit curriculum will be provided only to Teachers with a Masters degree or higher, with ongoing training in methods needed to improve instruction for students and xxxxxx a “learning organization” within the Longmeadow Public Schools. Teachers completing the curriculum will be titled “School Improvement Specialist” and will either use the credits earned toward advancement on the salary schedule or earn an additional annual stipend of $1,250.00 during the five years following completion. The additional stipend is renewable every five years by completion of the then current 15 credit curriculum in place, which will be developed through the District Professional Growth Committee. Credit will be allowed for Teachers who satisfactorily began and completed the following courses in the 1999-2000 school year: Mentoring, Peer Coaching, Learning And The Brain, Responsive Classroom, Standards Based Learning, Integrating Technology Into The Learning Process, and others as reviewed by the Professional Growth Committee and approved by the Superintendent. The list of course offerings will be reviewed on an annual basis by the District Professional Growth Committee to assure that they meet changing environment and need, but a list of course offerings for the first round may include: ⮚ Mentoring – prepare Teachers to serve as mentors to other Teachers entering the Longmeadow Public Schools. ⮚ Peer Coaching – learn the skills of observing in the classroom of other Teachers, gathering useful data, and providing constructive feedback. ⮚ The Responsive Classroom – learn the techniques now used in Longmeadow Public Schools for developing healthy social climates within the classroom and school. ⮚ The Learning Organization – learn the characteristics of the “Learning Organization,” the obstacles to achieving it, and the ways of developing it. ⮚ Standards Based Learning – learn the techniques used to organize learning for all students around state and local standards. ⮚ Using Technology for Continuous Improvement – learn how to integrate technology into the learning process. ⮚ Continuous Improvement – learn the underlying philosophy of continuous improvement, how to implement a Plan-Do-Study-Act (P.D.S.A.) cycle, and how to use the various tools of continuous improvement. ⮚ Group Facilitator Skills – learn the skills of group problem solving, conflict resolution, problem identification, and facilitation. ⮚ Use of Data for Improvement – learn how to use data to identify problems a...
