Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

 

This school year has been amazing. Just ask Woodview Elementary Principal, Becky Hagan. The campus is officially off “the list” referring to the state’s Improvement Required (IR) rating. 

 

That feat, while one to celebrate, isn’t the only celebration-worthy change at the campus. Over the last three years, the school has transformed its teaching and learning to become an example of Spring Branch ISD’s vision of T-2-4 for Every Child. 

The convergence of two critical elements played a factor – Catalyst and Redesign. “Catalyst and Redesign bring together the resources and supports our educators and students need to succeed,” said Hagan.

Woodview’s designation as a Catalyst school ensured the campus received tiered support and much-needed resources to kick-start the trajectory. 

Robust analysis of teaching practices along with a mindset shift on feedback and professional development were the first steps transformation. SBISD currently has eight schools with the Catalyst designation.

“We’re a community of learners,” said Hagan, referring to her school. That community approach is also driving collaboration between Catalyst schools across the district. Educators are sharing what works and reshaping practices.

Hagan and campus educators worked with Laura Schumann, a professional learning consultant, and district instructional staff to reshape the professional development model. 

“Our school is a family,” said Maureen Ucles, a multi-classroom teacher at the school. Ucles’ role is relatively new to the school district and part of the district’s Opportunity Culture initiative, which enables lead teachers to access career opportunities beyond that of a regular classroom teacher. 

Ucles leads, mentors and collaborates directly with classroom teachers and students at the campus. From co-teaching to writing curriculum and providing feedback on instruction, she loves her work, and it shows. 

Offering new career pathways like the multi-classroom teaching role is just one way schools in SBISD are empowering and growing great teachers. 

 “When I started it was to come in and provide direction and guidance on improvement,” said Schumann.  “Now, I come to the school and it is very sophisticated, personalized instruction (that) is happening. It’s amazing.” 

This personalization is shaped by data, collaboration, and something called school redesign.  

“We’re constantly looking at data and adjusting lessons to ensure we meet every student need,” she said. “From small group instruction to buddy teaching … I work with teachers to make sure we get the job done for kids.”

In the classroom, educators like third-grade teacher Claire Rottino monitor data as part of daily instruction. 

 

 

Rottino and every other educator at Woodview uses a progress-tracking system that allows teachers access and the ability to respond to student need with immediacy. Assessment isn’t a weekly or test-driven event – it’s a constant fluid happening that empowers the educator as well as the student. 

“We have a data tracker for each student. I can see exactly where they are, and I can respond to individual needs,” said Rottino.

Rottino and campus Intervention specialists can then target individual and small-group instruction to address student need in a way that works for each learner.

The campus data tracker aligns with itslearning, an online learning management tool, to deliver and access instruction that is highly personalized. 

Having the ability to track and provide real-time feedback on student performance has changed the conversation and the results for Rottino and her students.

 

 

“It’s about growth. Growth is what we’re focused on,” said campus interventionist Alyssa Cheatham-West. “When we see that a student is having issues we can immediately respond.” 

Growth starts with goal setting and Woodview’s use of data is shaping that conversation for students and adults.

School Redesign, now in its third year in SBISD, is the other factor in Woodview’s success equation. Where Catalyst provided enriched supports and resources, Redesign allowed the campus to think differently about the kind of instruction it was delivering. 

“People say if you love what you do you never work a day in your life,” said Ucles. “I’m not working at Woodview – this is my dream."

Now, along with a deeper understanding of growth and achievement, the campus has the flexibility to develop innovative models of instruction that best suit their students and the larger school learning community. 

Woodview’s new STEM science lab, its Teachers College Reading and Writing Project and the school’s Real-time Writing Program are a few initiatives born from Redesign work. 

 

 

All of the strategies at play at Woodview are contributing to our district’s commitment to personalized learning for Every Child. SBISD’s strategic plan, The Learner’s Journey, calls for personalizing student learning. Woodview is on their journey. 

“If you haven’t been here, I invite you to visit Woodview,” said Hagan. “I can’t wait to see where our campus is going to be in the next year, five years, and ten years down the road.” We can’t either. 

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SPECIAL VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: Watch it!

Catalyst and Redesign Shape Woodview Turnaround from SBISD on Vimeo.

For more information about Woodview Elementary, School Redesign in SBISD, or the strategy work of the school district, visit www.springbranchisd.com. Visit the Woodview Elementary website.

 

 

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Submitted by Melissa Wiland, SBISD Communications, melissa.wiland@springbranchisd.com.