Our Voices, our Schools - january 2010
Connie Hansen is the current chair of the Sherwood School Board. She is a member of Sherwood's CLASS design team and has been very involved in the implementation of the initiative.
It is National School Board Appreciation Month! What do you enjoy most about being a school board member?
The opportunity to be engaged in the meaningful work of educating our children is the greatest reward for me as a School Board Member. I am intrigued by the dynamics of teaching and learning - how children learn and what are the most effective methods to facilitate that learning process.
As a board member, how would you define your role in raising student achievement in your district?
To use student achievement as the lens through which we evaluate
everything. Whether we are establishing the budget, or evaluating the curriculum, or assessing facility needs, the impact on student achievement is at the core of our decision-making. We are accountable to our community for student achievement in our district.
Sherwood was one of the first three districts involved in the CLASS Project. How would you describe the impact the initiative has had on your district?
The CLASS project provided the resources and the framework for the innovation and implementation of: the delivery of professional development for both our teaching staff and our classified staff; a revised compensation model; and a comprehensive evaluation process. The focus on effective teaching and student achievement has informed our decision-making. We are tracking the impact of the initiatives on our student's progress and even at this early stage we are beginning to see positive results.
Learn more about the CLASS Project in Sherwood on their website.
