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FAQ for Redesignation
FAQ for Redesignation
1. What keeps you applying for re-designation?
1. What keeps you applying for re-designation?
The challenge and desire to keep moving forward keeps schools applying for the re-designation. It keeps the staff focused and encourages them to reflect on best practices. STW provides the umbrella for what is in place for students as well as a validation of what is done well.
The challenge and desire to keep moving forward keeps schools applying for the re-designation. It keeps the staff focused and encourages them to reflect on best practices. STW provides the umbrella for what is in place for students as well as a validation of what is done well.
2. How does the STW process facilitate change?
2. How does the STW process facilitate change?
The process propels options for action research. The process forces a continual look at what the school is doing and facilitates examination of what is done and how it is done. It gives the opportunity to reflect on what works, and opportunities for growth. If forces the question, "Is what we are doing right for kids?" The value of the feedback from the visitation team allows the opportunity to reflect and develop stretch goals. Having the visitation team meeting and discussing the process with teachers is very powerful and delivers a consistent message.
The process propels options for action research. The process forces a continual look at what the school is doing and facilitates examination of what is done and how it is done. It gives the opportunity to reflect on what works, and opportunities for growth. If forces the question, "Is what we are doing right for kids?" The value of the feedback from the visitation team allows the opportunity to reflect and develop stretch goals. Having the visitation team meeting and discussing the process with teachers is very powerful and delivers a consistent message.
3. What keeps the process exciting and new?
3. What keeps the process exciting and new?
Every re-designation is like the first time. School leaders and staff review, regroup and celebrate! Re-designation allows affirmation of successes while walking hand in hand with the attitude of continuous growth and improvement direction for future initiatives. It validates the relevance of what has been done and gives the opportunity to reflect on the future. STW creates an expectation for collaboration among all staff.
Every re-designation is like the first time. School leaders and staff review, regroup and celebrate! Re-designation allows affirmation of successes while walking hand in hand with the attitude of continuous growth and improvement direction for future initiatives. It validates the relevance of what has been done and gives the opportunity to reflect on the future. STW creates an expectation for collaboration among all staff.
4. How to get continued financial support?
4. How to get continued financial support?
It is imperative to get district buy-in. Getting district leaders involved in the application (re-designation) process assists in getting leaders in the process and the return on investment (ROI). When suggestions are made from the STW visiting team and they are implemented, building leaders and teacher leaders can celebrate and showcase in the community.
It is imperative to get district buy-in. Getting district leaders involved in the application (re-designation) process assists in getting leaders in the process and the return on investment (ROI). When suggestions are made from the STW visiting team and they are implemented, building leaders and teacher leaders can celebrate and showcase in the community.
5. How does being identified as a STW effect staff?
5. How does being identified as a STW effect staff?
It builds a sense of confidence that there is acknowledgment in a national venue. The staff understands that being a STW comes with some responsibilities - being on the cutting edge, the desire for continued improvement and the willingness to share with others about best practices. There is an extreme amount of pride and credence that a STW school is a leader. Having the redesignation is a selling point to attract excellent teacher candidates to schools.
It builds a sense of confidence that there is acknowledgment in a national venue. The staff understands that being a STW comes with some responsibilities - being on the cutting edge, the desire for continued improvement and the willingness to share with others about best practices. There is an extreme amount of pride and credence that a STW school is a leader. Having the redesignation is a selling point to attract excellent teacher candidates to schools.
6. How do you know what initiatives to include in the application?
6. How do you know what initiatives to include in the application?
It is important to review what has been done since the initial designation. Teams examine the progress toward stretch goals, as well as the direction of staff development. The STW application guides the direction for the school and how it crosswalks with the district's mission and vision. It can be utilized as a map with the four domains staying at the focus. Another idea is to organize all the difference initiatives done over the years and share the list with staff. This can be eye opening as the amount of work and details teachers put in to support their students.
It is important to review what has been done since the initial designation. Teams examine the progress toward stretch goals, as well as the direction of staff development. The STW application guides the direction for the school and how it crosswalks with the district's mission and vision. It can be utilized as a map with the four domains staying at the focus. Another idea is to organize all the difference initiatives done over the years and share the list with staff. This can be eye opening as the amount of work and details teachers put in to support their students.
7. Why do we want to keep the STW recognition year after year?
7. Why do we want to keep the STW recognition year after year?
Once a school gets the designation, it becomes a responsibility. If you go into the process as recognition for what your school does to support student on a daily basis, it makes sense to be recognized for continuous improvement. If you approach the process as an award, once you achieve recognition, you are done. The community recognizes and acknowledges the results we get. STW recognition validities who we are and why we focus on particular areas of growth.
Once a school gets the designation, it becomes a responsibility. If you go into the process as recognition for what your school does to support student on a daily basis, it makes sense to be recognized for continuous improvement. If you approach the process as an award, once you achieve recognition, you are done. The community recognizes and acknowledges the results we get. STW recognition validities who we are and why we focus on particular areas of growth.
8. How does the principal facilitate the process year after year, especially when you have new people involved?
8. How does the principal facilitate the process year after year, especially when you have new people involved?
A great way to keep staff members engaged in the STW re-designation process is by asking different members to serve on the writing team each re-designation period. Everyone is involved in the overall process through the self-rating rubric, collecting the data, setting yearly goals, and implementing what we say we do on a daily basis. By doing this, we allow a variety of staff members to share leadership roles.
A great way to keep staff members engaged in the STW re-designation process is by asking different members to serve on the writing team each re-designation period. Everyone is involved in the overall process through the self-rating rubric, collecting the data, setting yearly goals, and implementing what we say we do on a daily basis. By doing this, we allow a variety of staff members to share leadership roles.
9. As a school leader, how do you guide your staff to stay on track between the re-designation periods?
9. As a school leader, how do you guide your staff to stay on track between the re-designation periods?
Visits from other schools remind us of our initial commitments. We reaffirm what we do in a variety of ways - through staff development activities, deliberately sharing best practices, continuing to focus on growth, needs and data collection to strengthen our PLC collaborations. The work with other middle schools in the area and share ideas is beneficial and creates a network of excellence. Being a STW becomes a part of a school's identity and guides goal setting.
Visits from other schools remind us of our initial commitments. We reaffirm what we do in a variety of ways - through staff development activities, deliberately sharing best practices, continuing to focus on growth, needs and data collection to strengthen our PLC collaborations. The work with other middle schools in the area and share ideas is beneficial and creates a network of excellence. Being a STW becomes a part of a school's identity and guides goal setting.
10. How do you introduce new staff members to the STW process?
10. How do you introduce new staff members to the STW process?
It is imperative to bring on new staff members on and teach them as a part of the on-boarding process each year. Teaching the four domains as well as the criteria and how your school addresses each will ensure a smooth transition and will empower new teachers to take an active role. Additionally, as part of the professional development each year, it is encouraged that schools revisit school wide goals and the STW commitment through what the schools plans to do and achieve annually.
It is imperative to bring on new staff members on and teach them as a part of the on-boarding process each year. Teaching the four domains as well as the criteria and how your school addresses each will ensure a smooth transition and will empower new teachers to take an active role. Additionally, as part of the professional development each year, it is encouraged that schools revisit school wide goals and the STW commitment through what the schools plans to do and achieve annually.
11. How has STW recognition affected your community?
11. How has STW recognition affected your community?
STW re-designation can elevate a sense of stability within communities. There is a sense of pride within the community because this is a national program based on research-based criteria on how to teach middle schoolers. Because community involvement is addressed in the criteria, it helps schools to actively involve parents and community members in the school. The continued commitment to earning this recognition and the celebrations each time brings trust and confidence of the schools within the community.
STW re-designation can elevate a sense of stability within communities. There is a sense of pride within the community because this is a national program based on research-based criteria on how to teach middle schoolers. Because community involvement is addressed in the criteria, it helps schools to actively involve parents and community members in the school. The continued commitment to earning this recognition and the celebrations each time brings trust and confidence of the schools within the community.
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