Rowan County United Way Empowering Effective Teachers Initiative

Project Summary:

The Teachers Matter (TM) project in Rowan County is focused on mobilizing our citizens in support of enhancing teacher effectiveness in the classroom because we know that classroom teachers have the greatest impact on a child's learning at school.

A Teachers Matter Advisory committee was formed to be the central body that represents all education stakeholders in our area and includes a subcommittee of effective teachers that were identified by all high school principals.

Grant work is focused on developing and offering a professional development workshop that will create awareness of the 12 characteristics of effective teachers and offer models for integrating that knowledge effectively in the classroom setting.

The effective teaching project was developed through the ongoing planning of the Rowan Effective Teaching subcommittee and the guidance of our high school administrator. Part of the project is designed to offer tutoring support to allow teachers to practice the skills of effective teaching, as well as to create an appropriate teacher-mentor for academic at risk students. Finally, the project is focused on generating participation of education stakeholders in the political process, s a partnership among RSS, Rowan County PTA, the Board of Election and the local NCAE provided local school sites for voter registration.

Key Partners:

Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Rowan County Commissioners, City of Salisbury, parents, NCAE, teachers Rowan Chamber of Commerce, Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education, business community, Youth Services Bureau, Rowan County United Way, Communities in Schools, LINKS.

Community Conversation Results:

Eleven listening sessions were held with the faith based community, law enforcement, students, teachers, parents, diverse community, community educators. The results indicated that everyone felt that teachers needed to be effective and validated much of the research. Not every teacher exhibits the skills it takes to be an effective teacher. Teachers need our support and students need the support of an effective teacher.

Overall Outcomes To Date:

·  The results of the local effort and the efforts in other communities in our state will be shared.

·  A professional development revival has been planned that will incorporate the work of our effective teachers as well as a guest speaker. This session will target 9th grade teachers.

·  Input from the listening sessions has provided ideas on how the community can support effective teaching.

·  A body of education stakeholders has been identified through the Teachers Matter work.

Key Lessons Learned:

·  People appreciate the opportunity to be heard and their experiences shared.

·  Opinions vary but common threads exist even among varied populations.

·  Complexities of everyday life create barriers to supporting all students with an effective teacher.

·  Outside interest in providing support to the public education system is not quickly developed, easily accepted or easily implemented.

·  Effective teaching takes time, personal commitment and support of the whole community.