At our recent Teaching and Learning Cabinet meeting on October 8, 2024, I was again reminded of our administrators and instructional coaches' exceptional dedication to improving student learning. The focus of this meeting was clear: aligning our district's instructional practices with standards-based learning and leveraging proficiency scales to ensure every student is progressing.
A special part of this meeting was the inclusion of our instructional coaches. By involving them in these conversations from the outset, we’re fostering stronger collaboration and ensuring that everyone—coaches, teachers, and leaders—are aligned in their approach. We are all reading Planning and Teaching in the Standards-Based Classroom, with Carrie Thomas, our Director of Teaching and Learning, leading the discussion. This book provides a foundation for our work in standards-based learning and guides our curriculum planning efforts.
Carrie Thomas has been an incredible leader in this space, guiding our Teaching and Learning Department with a clear vision and purpose. Her commitment to fostering instructional alignment across our schools is evident. Additionally, Karen Douglass, our Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning, has been instrumental in her leadership over critical areas such as our Title Programs, the Minnesota Student Survey, and cultural liaisons. Their leadership, combined with the dedication of our coaches and administrators, is driving meaningful instructional improvement across the district.
Our administrators and teachers continue to balance numerous demands—daily lesson planning, instructional delivery, and training requirements for the READ Act, among others. Despite these challenges, they remain focused and committed to high standards for all students. This dedication is truly remarkable and a testament to their professionalism and passion for teaching.
A highlight of our work is the emphasis on year-long curriculum maps. These maps ensure consistent pacing and depth of learning across all grade levels, and we’re continuously refining and sharing evidence of our progress. We began with thoughtful reflection on the introduction of the READ Act, followed by productive discussions on our year-long curriculum maps and identifying next steps for our instructional teams. This collaborative approach, spearheaded by Carrie Thomas, demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement and excellence.
Moreover, the work of our instructional and special education coaches—guided by the principles in Yes, We Can!—reinforces our belief that all students can achieve at high levels. These coaches are not only learning and applying best practices but also developing recommendations that will shape the future of our instructional strategies.
As we continue to move forward, I’m confident that the work we’re doing will have a lasting, positive impact on our students. Our teams are focused, collaborative, and deeply committed to providing the best educational experiences for all learners.
Kudos to Carrie Thomas and Karen Douglass for their leadership, and to all our administrators, educators, support staff, and instructional coaches for their unwavering commitment to standards-based learning and continuous instructional improvement. Together, we are making tremendous strides in meeting our vision of inspiring and preparing all learners for their future in our community and world.
