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Interested in supporting Curriculum & Instruction at IR?
Interested in supporting Curriculum & Instruction at IR?
Curriculum Councils
Curriculum Councils
Curriculum Councils are a key collaborative decision-making team that supports exceptional learning opportunities. Councils meet throughout the year for an ongoing curriculum review. The review involves a vertical alignment using the “snapshot” view of what our students learn throughout the year. A number of the resources used within each area, as well as links to the NYSED standards, are highlighted in the Snapshots for each academic area: ELA, Math, Science & Social Studies.
Each school and grade level is represented within the Curriculum Councils. A list of council members who are available and can be easily contacted if you have questions or concerns is found below. If you are interested in joining a Curriculum Council, please reach out to your team leader, building administrator, or the curriculum director. Teacher involvement at all levels is encouraged and valued. The councils engage in deep curriculum review, update standards alignment, explore new resources, and consider professional development opportunities that best meet the needs of students and staff. Meetings are held up to four times per year.
In the following pages, you will see each council highlighted and some key aspects of each curriculum that each teacher should understand in their role for supporting student learning and growth. Each area highlights the IRCSD initiatives and district-approved resources for instruction. While each teacher has some flexibility and ownership within their classroom, we must utilize district-sponsored programs, district-approved resources, and engage in ongoing professional development.
Whether you are new to IR or a veteran, we hope this is a resource and a guide as we move forward.
IRCSD will provide and evaluate instruction, that empowers students to be positive contributors to society.
- IRCSD will continually acquire, assess and revise curriculum based on NYS standards and the needs of the individual learners
- IRCSD will empower our students to be contributors of the curriculum that builds on experiences and is based on their interests
- IRCSD will provide instructional opportunities that emphasize student progress and growth
- IRCSD will provide continuous and high quality professional development to all staff
Each year, Indian River seeks experienced educators to support curriculum, instruction, and professional learning across the district. If you are interested in any of the roles as described below, please fill out the Teacher Interest Form link. These roles provide opportunities to share expertise, develop leadership skills, support colleagues, and contribute to district-wide initiatives.
Curriculum Councils
Curriculum councils meet quarterly, in a variety of areas: English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Technology & Fine Arts. Each council meets with representatives across the district to ensure teaching, learning, and assessment are connected to the NYS Learning Standards. Councils meet quarterly, usually before or after the school day.
Mentor
Mentoring is designed to train and support new teachers. This is a yearlong commitment, which may not always coincide with the school calendar. You will positively guide and foster a new teacher to skills and practices at Indian River, ensuring the quality learning experiences for students.
Mentor/Mentees will be paired based on multiple aspects, including building needs, committee recommendation, feedback of the Principal/Department Supervisor, building union president(s), and/or one of the following: head teacher, department head, or grade level teacher. You will be provided with a confirmation email of selection, as well as additional details and expectations, including summer orientation date(s). These expectations are also listed in the District's Professional Development Plan.
NYS Standards, Assessments & Initiatives
There are a variety of ways to support the NYS Learning Standards. Each year, we have the opportunity to score the 3-8 ELA & Math Assessments. Additionally, smaller in-district projects often involve curricular work that supports Science Investigations, test question development, NYS Instructional Requirements (i.e., Financial Literacy, Climate Education, Technology, etc.), and much more.
Professional Collaboration Classroom
Visiting other classrooms provides an opportunity to collaborate and grow in a particular content, grade level, or instructional approach. We look for classrooms that are active with student engagement led by highly effective teachers who enjoy collaborating or showcasing how IR classrooms should feel, look, and operate. Occasionally, we look for classrooms to visit when onboarding new staff, who may not have educational experience (i.e., substitutes, aides) or who are practicing their skills, such as college students or new hires. If you are willing to have others observe your classroom in action, this might be for you.
Professional Development (PD)
IRCSD provides ongoing PD in a variety of ways: before/after school, during faculty meetings or department meetings, and during summer break. To keep our teaching and learning relevant and rigorous, these PD sessions are designed to build skills and support all educators in their craft. We look for turnkey trainers who can share lessons from other professional development opportunities (such as Jefferson-Lewis BOCES workshops) or facilitate training on topics that support teacher efficacy.
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