W.I.N. (What I Need)
In 2020, Teaneck Public Schools adopted a new learning model during the health related school closure and virtual instruction model: “What I Need” (W.I.N.)
In 2022, Thomas Jefferson readopted this model for students in grades 6 through 8 to meet specific student learning needs and to become more active participants in their own learning process.
Each class’s schedule includes a designated support period called W.I.N.
W.I.N. is for all students in grades 6-8. Classroom Teachers, Interventionists, and Enrichment Teachers work collaboratively to provide targeted instruction on specific skills during the W.I.N. Period
There are several Periods of W.I.N.
Basic Skills instruction in Language Arts and/or Mathematics interventionists
Pull Out support services
Instrumental lessons for Band/Orchestra students and voice lessons for Choral students
Character Education lessons provided by counseling staff
Students work with several teachers throughout the year to ensure their academic needs are met
Groups are flexible. For example, a student might work with an Interventionist for one marking period, a 10 week period, but then work with a classroom teacher for the next marking period. This is entirely based upon data and teacher recommendation.
This learning model follows the New Jersey Tiered Systems of Support (NJTSS).
NJTSS is a framework of supports and interventions to improve student achievement, based on the core components of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and the three tier prevention logic of Response to Intervention (RTI). With a foundation of strong district and school leadership, a positive school culture and climate and family and community engagement, NJTSS builds on Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) and gives schools structure to meet the academic, behavioral, health, enrichment, and social/emotional needs of all students.
During our W.I.N. Period, students fall into three tiers.
Tier 1 - Universal Supports & Enrichment - These students either receive reinforcement from the classroom teacher or enrichment from an Enrichment teacher during their W.I.N. Period because they are either meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations in certain skill areas.
Tier 2 - Targeted, Small Group Interventions - These students receive support from either an Interventionist or Classroom Teacher during their W.I.N. Period. These students usually need a little more support in a certain skill to ensure they reach grade-level benchmarks by the end of the school year.
Tier 3 - Intensive Interventions - These students receive support from either an Interventionist or Special Education Teacher during their W.I.N. Period. These students need more support in one or more skills areas to ensure they reach grade-level benchmarks by the end of the school year.
Skills Based
W.I.N. Period groups are focused on three levels: Approaching, Meeting, and Exceeding.
"Approaching" students qualify for intervention support from one of our Interventionists.
"Meeting" students qualify for skill review with their Classroom and/or Content Area teacher.
"Exceeding" students qualify for challenge work from our teachers.
Opportunities
Students are able to request support from their instructors to receive extra help, ask for lessons to be retaught, conference and receive feedback on assignments. Students are encouraged to utilize the time to work independently or with other students, read, complete assignments/projects, practice vocabulary or math skills on software or workbooks. We also want our students to learn how to monitor their own progress and review their grades in Skyward and behavior logs. Additionally, we have opportunities for students to reflect and participate in character development exercises using activities provided by our counseling department.