Collaboration Changes Culture

Seaford Middle School

Tough Times Don’t last…Tough teams Do!

About Us Jean

7th & 8th Grade - ELA Teacher

Nikki6th Grade – SS Teacher

StephaniePrincipal

Brenda Media Specialist

Our School

Grades 6-8Approx. 750 students

FARM rate – 71%Spec Ed - 21%

School Goals• Achievement Goal• Climate Goal• Parent Involvement• Professional Development• Technology

How does your school tackle its

goals?

In the box, list the words you correlate with distributed leadership.

What’s in your head about the term DISTRIBUTED LEADERSHIP?

Our Story

2005-2006• Brand new

administration

• Under “School Improvement” due to state test scores.

• Hired 21 new teachers

2006-2007• Trying to move

from under “School Improvement”

• Create a better reputation for our school

• Hired 18 new teachers

Our Veteran Crew!

I am _________ and I am proud to be part of this crew!

I am excited about sailing this year with SMS because…..

Message In A Bottle

A Step Further...

Using Creative Themes to Develop Teams!

2007-2008• Distributed

Leadership Team

• Pit Crews were based on Marzano’s, What Works in Schools

• Staff meeting time to report out

• Hired 7 new teachers

Our Veteran Pit Crew!

I am _________ and I am proud to be part of the pit crew at SMS!

If I were sponsored by a company or product it would have to be…

My Part In The Pits…

A Pit Crew Promise!

Accomplishments in the Pits

District Teacher of the Year

Superstars In Education Award

OUT!!!!!

2008-2009

• Tack Forces to focus on components of School Success Plan

• Hired 4 new teachers

Our Veteran Cowpokes! I am _________ and I am

proud to be part of the ranch at SMS!

If I were starring in a Western Film the title would have to be…

Tack Force – The Spurs

Assessments

Common Assessments

Item Analysis

Delaware Student Testing Program Data

Scholastic Reading

Inventory

Tack Force – The Bridle and Bit

Best Practices

Staff Surveys

Professional Development

Learning Focused Strategies

Peer Visitations

Tack Force – The Saddle

Collegiality and Professionalism

Staff Surveys

Peer Observation Data

“Go To” List

New Teacher Support

Tack Force – The Stirrups

Response To Intervention (RTI)

Staff Surveys

Sharing Information

Developing Support

Tack Force – The Reins

School Climate

Discipline Data

Positive Behavior Support Data

“Spotlight On Success” Data

Attendance Data

Tack Force – The Horseshoe

Parent and Community Involvement

Parent Surveys

Tracking Involvement

Alertnow Data

Planning Events

My Role On The Ranch…

Roping In Results In 08-09!

• Task/Time Agendas

• Facilitator• Reps report out

• Share SLT Info• Discuss

Curriculum specific issues

• Tie their efforts to school goals

• Facilitate crews• Serve on SLT

• All staff• Areas of

Interest/Expertise• Each area

represented

Crews

RepsSchool

Leadership TeamDepartm

entMeetings

“There is just a feeling in the air.”

Results on the Ranch!

2009-2010

• Construction Crews to focus on School Success Plan

• Hired 2 new teachers

What will my road crew results be?

What am I going to do differently this year so that I can help my

students achieve more in 09-10?

The road to success is always under construction…

Tough Times Don’t Last…

Tough Teams Do!Positive Attitude

No complaining without brainstorming for a solution!

Image is everything!

Shapes

1 thing I loved –Heart

4 things I learned about Distributed Leadership – Square

3 things I can take back to my school – Triangle

1 summarizing statement - Circle

Our Websitehttp://agi.seaford.k12.de.us/schools/

sms

Helpful Resources

• Connecting Teacher Leadership and School Improvement by Joseph Murphy

• Distributed Leadership in Practice by James P. Spillane & John B. Diamond

• DASL: Delaware Academy of School Leaders

Thank You!