Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year!  We’re looking forward to a great year with Project CHILD^® and TEAMS!

We hope you’re rested, rejuvenated, and ready to start the year by incorporating the Essential Components of CHILD/TEAMS in order to maximize student achievement and create joyful classroom environments packed with active learning.  We send a special welcome to our new CHILD schools:

• Cleveland Elementary, Port Huron, Michigan
• Hagerstown Elementary, Hagerstown, Indiana
• The O’Bama Academy for Boys, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
• The Red Shoe Charter School for Girls, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Be sure to visit our online resources frequently and note that all activities have now been updated to reflect the Common Core Standards.  Have a fabulous start to the school year!  We look forward to working with you this year.

Diana Paulson, Director of Program Development, ISI

The end of year survey results are in and we are proud to announce results and comments from our many CHILD/TEAMS teachers across the nation.

94% of responding teachers were satisfied or very satisfied with the training they received from ISI.  “My training was very thorough and provided me with all of the resources I needed to take on my first year as a CHILD teacher,” says one survey responder.  Another teacher states, “Training is always well planned and relevant. It is differentiated based on teacher need with built in collaboration for teachers to share best practices.”

How satisfied are you with the support you receive from ISI? 95% of responders were satisfied or very satisfied.  “My trainer has also become like a mentor. She is always available and willing to help.” “You are always a phone call away whenever we need anything!!! Thanks soooooooo much!”

When asked how CHILD has impacted their teaching, survey responders had overwhelmingly positive responses:

• “CHILD stations allow me to differentiate tasks/instruction easily for my students. I also have the opportunity to develop long-lasting relationships with my students because I have them for three years; thus, I know my students strengths and weaknesses. This, for me, is the best part of CHILD.”

• “I have been able to see the progression of skill level in my subject area. I have become more effective at differentiating instruction.”

• “I feel that I have grown so much as a teacher, not only in my subject area but also in planning and implementing hands on activities that really target specific skills.”

The impact on a school level showed striking results as well:

• “(CHILD) has helped transform the school into a collaborative learning community that puts students first.”

• “(CHILD) has allowed us to build relationships with both the students and with our cluster and content area teachers.”

• “Using CHILD at our school has closed the gap in cooperative teaching. We are working as a team to educate tomorrow’s leaders.”

CHILD is spreading across the nation.  “Mastering the Art of Teaching in the 21st Century: Kentucky Schools Success Stories” was the topic of this month’s presentation at the KASA (Kentucky Association of School Administrators) Summer Conference in Louisville, KY.

Winky Jenkins-Rice, Director of Educational Programs for ISI, presented along with administrators from Bowling Green and Henderson, Kentucky.  Vicki Writsel, Associate Superintendent; Michael Wix, Principal, Dishman-McGinnis Elementary; Cheri Smith, Principal, Parker Bennett Curry Elementary from Bowling Green, KY and Rob Carroll, Principal, South Heights Elementary in Henderson, KY, are the leaders sharing their visions and successes using the CHILD instructional model. Â

Consider sharing your successes this next school year at a state or national conference.  Partner with ISI staff to spread the word about CHILD.  Contact ISI for further details.

South Heights Elementary, located in Henderson, Kentucky, presented at the National Model Schools in Nashville, Tennessee, in late June. They were one of six elementary schools from across the nation that was chosen to present at the event.

Their presentation spanned three days.  Each day they presented in front of over 150 people, the crowd growing larger for each presentation.

Memorable conference moments for South Heights Principal Rob Carrollincluded SHS making connections with Joplin, Missouri, which wants to collaborate to create successful culture in the re-building of their district.  Dr. Bill Daggett, CEO of the International Center for Leadership in Education, mentioned SHS during the closing session in front of the entire audience, which was exciting for the staff of South Heights Elementary.

“We represented South Heights Elementary and Henderson County Schools very well,” Carroll said.  “This was an honor for our school and we plan on keeping the momentum rolling.”

For more on the Model School Conference, visit the website for International Center for Leadership in Education.

For more on South Heights Elementary, visit their homepage.