TLS teacher-coaching program is discussed

     The Teacher Leadership System (TLS) is now in its third year of implementation, and district curriculum director Gretchen Kriegel made a presentation about the program during the Monticello School Board’s monthly work session Wednesday, Dec. 13.

     The TLS has created 20 teacher-coaching positions within the district. The goals, Kriegel said, are to increase collaborative learning opportunities among teachers, increase student achievement, and enhance professional learning.

     The district has four full-time leaders, a technology coach in each school building, each of which is a half-time position, 11 curriculum leaders, and a leader in Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW) in each building.

     Kriegel invited several of the coaches to present their roles to the board. Included were curricular lead Aimee Hospodarsky, preK-12 behavorial coach Shannon Guyer, AIW coach Stacy Campbell, technology coach Kim Carlson, and instructional coaches Callie Smith (middle school) and Jean Kehoe (elementary schools).

     The program started as a grant, but will continue indefinitely as the Iowa Department of Education has included it in its budget throughout the state.

     Kriegel said that while it took time for teachers to learn these new positions, program has been a success overall.

     “We’ve seen an increase in our student data,” she told the board. “Districts our size are doing quite well with this.”

     Other items discussed by the board included:

     • the five-year facility projects plan. There are dozens of projects, divided into four categories: annual projects, possible projects, projects being done now, and projects on hold until a bond decision is made.

     Annual projects include such things as the annual purchase of a school bus, and annual technology expenses. Possible projects include gym floor resurfacing at the high school, and installing three TVs in the cafeteria.

     In progress are the track resurface, improvements in the middle school bathrooms, and several others. Some, such as the bus barn area and parking lot decisions may depend upon whether or not the district can pass a bond issue.

     • the 2018-19 High School Registration Handbook. The biggest change involves the Practical English course, which will now focus on college and/or career readiness. Updates in requirements for several subjects are also among the changes.

     • the 2018-19 Jones Regional Education Center Program of Studies Handbook. Changes there include a pair of new academies: “Water Environment Technology,” an online-only course; and “Computer Programming and Web Development.”