Professional Development Day - January 22nd

Coventry teachers spent their January 22 Professional Development Day in deep reflection on the importance of Rigor and Relevance in the development of creative, challenging, and meaningful curricula.  After a brief overview of the value of Rigor and Relevance presented by Dr. Donna Bernard, our superintendent, and Curriculum Development Team members Carla Kennedy and Gina Olearczyk, staff members returned to their “home” schools for more detailed discussion of four essential questions:

• What are we doing well in our school to create an appropriate level of challenge and relevance for our students?
• What specific suggestions do we have for improving rigor and relevance in our school?
• How can we promote a high challenge level for all students, especially in heterogeneously grouped classes, by using the rigor and relevance framework in our curriculum work and assessments?
• What appropriate teacher and student behaviors and what student work products should we see in an academically rigorous classroom?

At Coventry Grammar School, classroom teachers and specialists addressed all questions in a “carousel” format wherein small, mixed groups moved from question to question and added to or verified what their colleagues had already written.  In doing so, quality discussions with colleagues from other grade levels and experiences were encouraged.  To close the morning activity, Principal Ray Grasso displayed the work of all groups, and led a discussion of the common areas of strength and need that the groups’ responses illustrated.

The afternoon session was devoted to the Science curriculum work that our school has been engaged in since last Spring, and how rigor and relevance can play a major role.  Curriculum Team member Gina Olearczyk presented on Alignment and Assessment, the final phase of our work to be done, then spent time at each grade level for support, commendations, and suggestions.

Teachers certainly work hard even when their students aren’t in school!