Frankenmuth

10 Ongoing training and professional development are paramount for teachers to remain effective and successful in their roles. By continuously learning and collaboratively teaming with col- leagues, educators can improve their teaching techniques, stay current with educational trends, enhance their subject knowledge, boost their confidence, adapt to changing student needs, meet professional development requirements, and foster a culture of lifelong learning. In the Frankenmuth Schools, our district-provided professional development is aligned to the FSD Strategic Plan and currently focuses on the state's Contin- uous School Improvement goals and Marzano's High Reliability Schools (HRS) framework. Developed by educational researcher and author Robert J. Marzano, the framework consists of five levels, each of which is focused on specific aspects of school operations and improvement. The process utilizes a comprehensive approach that incorporates student, parent, staff, and community input toward the goal of helping schools identify and sustain a high level of reliable practices. Last year, the District earned certification in the first of these areas, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to providing a Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture. The FSD is currently focused on levels 2 (Effective Teaching in Every Classroom) and 3 (Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum). All district teaching staff participate in HRS training throughout the year, some- times collectively as a District to streamline K-12 practices, and sometimes as a building, grade level, or department team. While always starting with research-based best practices, these efforts are streamlined across levels and subject areas but likely look a little different in each of our three buildings. During our Level 1 efforts last year, the District focused on identifying and improving practices to ensure our buildings are safe, our culture is positive, and our classrooms are supportive, all toward the goal of improving student experiences and outcomes. We acknowledged both existing exemplars and new opportunities for improvement, making strides in these efforts by improving safety awareness and critical incident response processes, increasing recognition opportunities for students and staff in all buildings, and committing time and resources to academic support. This year's survey results about academic programs affirmed the strength that exists in the areas of high expectations for academic performance and instructional practice, the "tradition of academic excellence" for which Frankenmuth Schools are renowned. Through those results and continued use of data-informed decision making, we have identified opportunities within our instructional practices to enhance student learning and concept retention. Collaborative teams work together within buildings, by grade level or department, and as a collective whole to review curricular content, instructional practices, and strategies to enhance student learning. Teachers spend time observing one another in action, sharing expertise and ideas. This fall, the District welcomed Justin Diegel as MTSS Coordinator and Instructional Coach and saw Tammy Walter-Reynolds taking on the role of Academic Interventionist. These two extraordinary educators work together in cooperation with our K-8 instructional staff to reach all students. Through in-class and before and after-school initiatives, they analyze student success data, assist with homework assignments, re-teach elements as needed, and provide additional support for learning and growth. At the high school, similar processes exist to identify students' academic support needs, and time is allotted daily between dismissal and the start of extra-curricular activities for students to obtain homework assistance, catch up on missed work, and get focused help from their teacher(s). As we continue exploring the strengths and opportunities within the Frankenmuth Schools, we thank you students, staff, parents/guardians, and community members for supporting our efforts. Collaborative time, these enhanced practices, and their results do not come without a cost, and your dedication to our needs for collaborative time, including the early dismissal Friday each month, is essential to the cause. The ultimate goal of the HRS framework is to allow schools and districts to celebrate the exceptional practices already in place while seizing the opportunities therein to move from a district that is great to one that is exceptional. Because of your support, we are well on our way. Frankenmuth Schools: Striving Beyond "Great to Exceptional" with Your Help! By Grant Hegenaur

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