By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Teacher Jennifer Donovan addressed why teaming is important, as well as "some of the things we're going to be doing. Research tells us that with teaming we get increased student performance along with a reduction in the achievement gap and dropout rate. It also tells us you can create a more positive school climate, including safer schools, more active student engagement, fewer disciplinary infractions and less truancy."
She also cited as an advantage of the new schedule additional opportunities for teachers to gather in "professional learning communities that enhance teaching and learning. This is so important because you spark ideas by talking with your colleagues."
The new middle school will "take our teaming to the next level," Donovan predicted.
"Fixing our schedule was the first hurdle we had to overcome to create this environment. Carnegie Council says class schedules should be flexible to accommodate an integrated curriculum and joint planning by teachers. This is crucial. Teaching teams should be able to create blocks of instructional time to meet the needs of students," Donovan said, "rather than tailoring learning to fit a rigid schedule. Teacher control of scheduling can capitalize on current events and other special activities that make learning come alive for the students. By changing our schedules, we're hoping we can create more of this kind of environment in our middle school."
The old schedule split instructional time from planning and team time.
Donovan said flexible schedules "provide teams of teachers with a variety of options on how to use instructional time and a variety of options to stimulate creativity in teaching. It also provides a daily team plan period. It stimulates interdisciplinary instruction that allows teachers to show students how subjects can relate to one another."