At Somerset Oaks, we are committed to fostering the success and professional growth of early-career teachers through a strong support system. Our instructional coaches play a pivotal role by providing ongoing professional learning and engaging in coaching cycles that include feedback, monitoring, and targeted guidance. This continuous support helps new teachers refine their instructional techniques and seamlessly integrate into our high standards of teaching and learning. In addition to instructional coaching, every new teacher is paired with a dedicated grade-level mentor. These mentors offer hands-on guidance, helping newcomers navigate school expectations, adjust to the culture, and receive day-to-day support. This mentorship is instrumental in fostering a sense of belonging and confidence among new educators. 

To further enhance professional readiness, all new teachers at Somerset Oaks Academy have access to the state-approved Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) program, offered free of charge through Doral College. This comprehensive initiative, which serves as an initial certification pathway, provides coursework, test preparation, and job-embedded mentoring, ensuring individualized feedback and support. By integrating these resources, Somerset Oaks equips early-career teachers with the tools, knowledge, and encouragement they need to thrive in their roles. 

Last year our school experienced minimal teacher turnover, with only two teachers leaving. One moved to Tampa to be closer to family, and the other sought a specialized high school biology teaching position. The rest of our instructional personnel are returned for the 2024-2025 school year, ensuring stability and continuity for our school's programs. Our success in both recruiting and retaining staff can be attributed to our concerted efforts in creating a strong culture of leadership, empowerment, and support. This positive environment has been instrumental in retaining our staff. When staff members do leave, it is often due to economic relocations or to exploring other career opportunities, rather than dissatisfaction with the school. This approach has ensured we maintain a dedicated and stable teaching team, committed to providing quality education to our students. 

Professional learning is the foundation of continuous growth for all educators. We believe that ongoing development is essential to maintaining instructional excellence and inspiring innovation in the classroom. Throughout the year and during the summer, we offer a range of professional development opportunities tailored to the needs of experienced educators. These include whole-group training sessions, Action Teams (AT)/ professional learning communities (PLC), and book studies, among other collaborative learning formats. Additionally, our educators benefit from partnerships with sister schools, allowing them to exchange best practices, target specific areas of growth, and engage in meaningful professional dialogues. These cross-school collaborations create a dynamic community of practice, where veteran teachers continuously refine their skills and stay at the forefront of educational advancements. 

Furthermore, STEM learning outcomes at Somerset Oaks demonstrate students’ STEM literacy, ensuring they acquire the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary for the next step in their learning journey. By integrating STEM-focused instruction and fostering inquiry-based learning, we prepare students to navigate an ever-evolving technological landscape with confidence and proficiency. To support this vision, our professional staff members and school leaders participate in an ongoing system of STEM-specific professional learning. This ensures that educators remain well-versed in the latest STEM teaching strategies, technological advancements, and innovative instructional practices.  

Our commitment to STEM education is embedded throughout professional development, both during the school year and throughout the summer, reinforcing our dedication to continuous learning and instructional excellence. Leaders at Somerset Oaks actively track STEM success by conducting data chats with all teachers throughout the school year. These discussions provide valuable insights into student progress, highlight areas for growth, and help refine instructional strategies to enhance STEM learning outcomes. By using data to drive instruction, we ensure that students receive the support they need to succeed in STEM subjects and develop the critical thinking skills necessary for future academic and career pathways. 

Aligned with Cognia STEM Standard 3, Somerset Oaks ensures that students engage in STEM learning experiences that prepare them for real-world applications. By integrating cross-disciplinary approaches, problem-solving tasks, and collaborative projects, we provide students with hands-on opportunities to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. These learning experiences empower students to become critical thinkers and innovators, preparing them for future careers. Additionally, our Leader In Me Exploration in elementary grades and Project-Based Learning (PBL) in middle school courses like TV Production, Journalism, Robotics, Business and Marketing, CTE pathway courses such as Microsoft, and core classes incorporating PBL/STEM help students further develop the skills needed for future career success. These courses emphasize critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving, ensuring students gain the knowledge and hands-on experience necessary for success in career fields. 

In alignment with Cognia STEM Standard 4, Somerset Oaks prioritizes professional learning communities that foster ongoing development and collaboration among educators. Our instructional leaders and teachers participate in STEM-focused professional learning that supports the integration of best practices into daily instruction. Through continuous professional development, Somerset Oaks educators stay at the forefront of educational advancements, ensuring that students receive high-quality STEM instruction that is engaging and effective.  

At Somerset Oaks Academy, we have established a collaborative framework where professional learning communities (PLC) and Action Teams (AT) work together to improve both teaching practices and student outcomes. These groups are essential to our mission of providing high-quality education through collective effort. 

Frequency and Participation 

Grade-Level Meetings: meet monthly to bring together teachers from the same grade level to discuss curriculum alignment, share effective teaching strategies, and address student needs. 

• Action Team Meetings: Action Teams are formed at the beginning of each academic year to plan and implement various school events and initiatives. These teams meet multiple times leading up to each event to ensure thorough preparation and successful execution. 

• Data Chats: These meetings are held regularly to analyze student performance data and make informed decisions about instructional strategies and interventions. 

• Faculty School-Wide Meetings: These meetings bring the entire faculty together to collaborate on school-wide initiatives, professional development, and share updates or resources. 

• Leader In Me Coach Days: These days provide dedicated time for coaching sessions related to the Leader In Me program, focusing on enhancing leadership skills, fostering student empowerment, and supporting the integration of the program across all grade levels. 

This structure promotes cross-grade collaboration, allowing educators to share insights and develop cohesive strategies that benefit the entire student body.  

STEM Integration 

A central focus of our PLCs and Action Teams is the integration of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) into our curriculum. Through collaborative planning, teachers design interdisciplinary lessons and projects that incorporate STEM principles, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students. This approach ensures that STEM education is seamlessly woven into various subjects, providing students with a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.  

Structured Process and Agendas 

Both professional learning communities/Action Teams operate under a structured framework to maximize efficiency and effectiveness: 

• Formalized Agendas: Each meeting is guided by a formal agenda outlining specific objectives, discussion points, and action items. This ensures focused and productive sessions. 

• Action Plans: For upcoming events or initiatives, Action Teams develop detailed action plans that delineate tasks, assign responsibilities, and set timelines. This meticulous planning facilitates smooth execution and successful outcomes. 

See-Do-Get Process: In line with the Leader In Me framework, the See-Do-Get process is embedded into the work of both professional learning communities (PLC) and Action Teams to ensure growth, accountability, and results. The process involves: 

• See: Teams start by defining their goals and vision, identifying what success looks like. This includes understanding where they are now and where they want to be, based on student needs and leadership growth. 

• Do: Once the vision is clear, teams develop action plans and begin implementing strategies. This phase focuses on executing specific tasks, such as professional development, teaching strategies, or leadership initiatives that align with the Leader In Me principles. Team members take responsibility for their roles, ensuring that every action is purposeful and in line with the school’s overall goals. 

• Get: The final step is assessing the outcomes to evaluate success. Teams reflect on the progress made toward achieving the set goals, analyze the impact on student leadership and achievement, and adjust as necessary. This continuous cycle of See-Do-Get ensures that actions lead to tangible results and that improvements are made iteratively, fostering a culture of constant growth and effectiveness. 

By applying the See-Do-Get process to professional learning communities (PLC) and Action Teams, Somerset Oaks Academy ensures that every initiative is purposeful, focused on student success, and driven by measurable outcomes. Maintaining this structured approach, Somerset Oaks Academy ensures that collaborative efforts translate into tangible improvements in teaching practices and student learning experiences. In summary, the integration of professional learning communities (PLC) and Action Teams at Somerset Oaks Academy fosters a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. Regular meetings, cross-grade partnerships, a strong emphasis on STEM integration, and structured planning processes collectively contribute to the holistic development of our students and the enrichment of our educational community. 

Additionally, in accordance with Cognia STEM Standard 5, we actively involve stakeholders, including families, industry professionals, and community members, in supporting STEM education. In addition to our internal STEM initiatives, Somerset Oaks proudly hosts STEM events that invite the community to engage with our exceptional programs. From Leader In Me events to our highly anticipated Leadership Day, these gatherings create opportunities for students, educators, and community leaders to form meaningful alliances. Professionals from diverse fields collaborate with our K-8 students, offering firsthand insights into career pathways and inspiring them to pursue futures aligned with their passions. These events not only strengthen our students' career awareness but also forge lasting connections between our school and the broader community, ensuring that students have access to real-world learning experiences and mentorship. 

We embrace the philosophy that it takes a village to raise a child. Partnering with families is key to student success, and our role extends beyond academics to fostering comprehensive growth. We integrate social, emotional, and life skills into our curriculum and consistently engage families with activities that bridge home and school life. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in classrooms and extracurricular events, including painting, cooking, and family challenges featured on our social media. Through student-led conferences, we empower our students to take ownership of their learning and progress, reflecting on their strengths and areas for growth. Additionally, students maintain a personal notebook where they track their goals, achievements, and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which guide them toward becoming proactive, responsible leaders. By instilling these habits, we help students develop the mindset to think win-win, prioritize their goals, and work collaboratively with others, all while building strong partnerships with families to ensure success. 

Our Leader In Me journey is central to our leadership success, and we actively involve families through monthly habits highlighted in our school calendar, providing activity ideas to develop these habits at home. We also offer workshops for parents and students that focus on fostering a positive mindset and making healthy choices, supported by initiatives such as anti-bullying campaigns and NED’s Mindset Mission Academy. As part of our commitment to empowering families, we provide Leader In Me Parent Academy training, where parents learn about the 7 Habits and how they can reinforce these principles at home. One key habit we emphasize is Habit 1: Be Proactive. This habit teaches students and parents alike to take responsibility for their actions and choices, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability. By supporting this habit at home and in school, we help students build the skills they need to take initiative and lead with confidence. 

Community involvement is a cornerstone of our educational experience. Events like Leadership Day and Career Day give students the opportunity to showcase their leadership skills while engaging with local professionals, broadening their understanding of potential career paths. Through service projects, students actively give back to the Homestead community by participating in beach and park cleanups, pet shelter donation drives, holiday food drives, and assembling snack baskets for local first responders. These experiences encourage students to reflect on their contributions, fostering a deeper sense of responsibility and purpose. Additionally, partnerships with organizations like Media for Minorities provide hands-on learning in TV production and media, equipping students with practical skills that can pave the way for future careers. 

By providing a robust, multi-faceted professional development program, a strong emphasis on STEM literacy, and meaningful community engagement, Somerset Oaks ensures that all teachers—whether early-career or seasoned professionals—have the support, knowledge, and resources to excel in their profession. Our comprehensive approach ensures that students, families, and the community work together to create a supportive and enriching educational environment. At Somerset Oaks Academy, we believe that education extends beyond textbooks and classrooms, preparing students for success in all aspects of their lives.