Hickory Ridge High School

Colleen Humphries, Jonas Rockhold, Mark Rosenbalm, Lindsay Gualario, Michelle Mell

Student Demographics:             46 % white             40% African-American             12% Hispanic             15% Exceptional             2 % Asian

Large urban school 1,800 students

Struggling to meet the needs of their students

Faculty, staff, parents and business partners work together implementing various reforms◦ Reforms are unsuccessful

Staff feels mounting problems between veteran and young teachers

Lack of respect, collegiality, trust

Introduction

Toxic School Culture Lack of respect, collegiality, and trust Veteran teacher are not pro-active Younger disenchanted School culture needs to be changed Technology not being used

Issue at Hickory Ridge

Change the school culture

Build relationships, respect, and trust

Encourage teacher collaboration through PLCs

Work together toward student achievement

Plan

Empowering the principal helping him gain respect Implement research based programs designed between veteran vs new teachersMove forward together bright future

Superintendent

Professional Learning Communities

Professional reading introduced driving reforms

Allowed to be risk takers

Set high expectations for learners

Teachers

Work together as a body New members correct way to behave Climate

Barriers to reform effort within school Resulting in conflicts Many teachers, particularly new ones, do not respect

principal Lack of community within the school

Organizational Culture

       Bachelor’s Degree 38.3%      Master’s Degree 56.9%      Advance Degree 4.8%

Technology       Computers advanced

Highest Academic Degree

Jim O’Connor suffer from lack of respect First gain respect Break away from micro-manager Leader who operates as team member

rather authority figure Teachers must take advantage of his

knowledge Work to make teacher feel respected

Instructional Leadership

Traits that work

Visibility, encouragement, high standards

Set clear expectations,

Consistent discipline, supportive, collaborative

Superintendent work with principal on traits

Principal

Daily interaction with superintendent Classroom walk through, positive feedback Build morale of the staff Clear expectation Support faculty on issues Gain respect, staff important, supportive Administration listen to ideas

Working together

            New developed             New reform guidelines not being

met

Mission and Vision Statement            

Building trust and respect

Helping teachers learn to collaborate

Providing relationship building opportunities

Find some common ground

Building Relationships

Interaction between teachers

Mentoring between veteran teachers and new

Time for reflection

Exchanging of information and ideas

Opportunities

Veteran-Oriented

Novice-Oriented

Integrated (Ideal)

Professional School Culture

Revisiting School Vision

Involve stake holders

Conduct surveys and discussions

Come together with a shared vision

Common Ground

Alignment

Sanger Unified School District

Levels the playing field

Mentor/Mentee Relationships

Learning from Each Other

Richard and Rebecca DuFour

Collaboration/Student Focus/Best Practices

Bridging the Gap between teachers

Continuous Improvement

Benefitting students/Action Oriented

Results Oriented

Professional Learning Communities

Sacred Time

Deep Discussion

Training

Shared Planning Time

COMMITMENT!

What is Essential for Teacher Collaboration?

Number of Student 10, 752 Percent Free and Reduced Lunch 74% Limited English 29% Special Education 6.8%

Placed on Program Improvement for failure to meet minimum proficiency levels for EL students

Implemented PLCs

Sanger Unified School District

  2003 2005 2007 2011

State36.5% 41.9% 45.5% 56.2%

SUSD25% 35.3% 46.5% 60.2%

State EL 18.5% 21.9% 25.8% 38.7%

SUSDEL 11% 19.8% 30.9% 48.8%

DATA: California Academic Performance Index

Theme focus on Students rather than Teachers

Allowed for a change in culture “Do Whatever It Takes” mentality Common Vision and Common Goals Teachers love it and say they would never

go back to doing things the “old” way! http://www.allthingsplc.info/evidence/sangerunified/index.php

Implementation of PL