(On the Job is a series of blog posts highlighting the experiences of IGS staff. While roles and responsibilities of staff vary, the core commonalities exist in a shared desire to provide quality education for all under the intergenerational learning model.)
As we enter the final trimester of the year, I want to celebrate the incredible journey we have undertaken together thus far. Since my arrival in July 2023, our priorities have centered on providing students with the highest quality of education, engaging our families to be actively involved in the school community, and immersing ourselves within the Lakeshore neighborhood and its resources. This year has been filled with challenges and triumphs, and I am immensely grateful for the unwavering dedication and hard work of our entire Lakeshore Intergenerational School community!
Our commitment to supporting and nurturing our students has been truly remarkable. Our school leaders and educators have embraced the philosophy of Responsive Classroom and have used its guiding principles to foster an environment of inclusion, community involvement, and daily active engagement as a beacon to cultivate a thriving learning environment. Responsive Classroom Guiding Principles have helped our educators reflect and plan with student-centered instruction. It is evident that there is an impact on students as we have just seen our reading scores improve throughout the building, especially with our Applying Stage! The joy and excitement we have infused into their learning experiences through community meetings and daily affirmations have enriched their education and instilled in them a love for learning that will last a lifetime!
What is a Responsive Classroom?
The responsive classroom is a student-centered approach that prioritizes social and emotional learning in teaching and discipline. Grounded in research and evidence-based practices, this approach aims to cultivate safe, joyful, and engaging environments for students and teachers within our school community.
- The social curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum
- How children learn is as important as what children learn
- The greatest cognitive growth occurs through social interaction
- There is a set of social skills that children need to be successful academically and socially
- Knowing the children we teach is as important as knowing the content we teach
- Knowing the parents of the children we teach is as important as knowing the children
- Teachers and administrators must model the social and academic skills they wish to teach their children
As we reflect upon the past, l want to emphasize that administrative school leadership has significantly impacted our students' growth and development! This year, I have challenged our school community to keep education, resilience, and perseverance at the forefront of their minds. Our entire school community is reminded of these principles each morning as breakfast ends with a special message from our Assistant Principal, Ms. Woodson, and me.
Our expectations do not waver as teachers and students are supported throughout the day with ongoing professional development and support with the planning and delivery of instruction. I am filled with pride and admiration for each one of our students, and I extend my deepest gratitude to our educators and families. You all have played a pivotal role in shaping their journey, and your dedication has been truly inspiring.
I look forward to entering our final trimester with enthusiasm and hope that we will continue a trajectory of growth and progress! As we plan for the next school year, I look forward to engaging our school community to make a collective effort toward setting and meeting new goals in service to our children.
To learn more about Lakeshore Intergenerational School, click here.