Talk Priority Schools

By Greg Johnson, NEA Executive Committee

At the end of February, I visited several schools in Montgomery, Alabama, that all had one thing in common: All of the schools had received School Improvement Grants (SIG), which means they were identified as needing improvement, corrective action, or restructuring, as to enable them to make adequate yearly progress.

What struck me, however, was not one school was like another.

The schools were at various stages of transformation efforts, with varying degrees of success. Some school staff told me with pride about their efforts to collaborate with other stakeholders, while in other places, collaboration was not yet a shared value. Staff members at one school were facing the dreaded final step of school closure.  But, I’m getting ahead of myself….

My first school visit took me to a place where educators and parents were communicating well and parental involvement was up.  Prior to SIG, the Parent Teachers Association was all but dead – but now the PTA was back, and school leaders are seeing a high level of participation from parents.
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Last week, NEA Executive Committee Members Greg Johnson and Len Paolillo visited four priority schools in Des Moines, Iowa. Melissa Spencer, President of the Des Moines Education Association organized the tours at Hoyt Middle School, North High School, Edmunds Elementary School and Nathan Weeks Middle School, in addition to a meeting with Dr. Nancy Sebring, Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools.

Professional development has been a big focus in the district with the School Improvement Grant funds. read more »

By Greg Johnson, NEA Executive Committee

On Tuesday, November 23^rd, I visited 2 schools in the Winston-Salem Schools.  My Association contact was Forsythe County Association of Educators President Tripp Jeffers.  Tripp prepared a full day of school visits combined with some discussions with Administrators from WS/FCS.  Accompanying us were Rodney Ellis, Vice-President of the North Carolina Association of Educators and Steve Snider and Denise Alston of the NEA Priority Schools Campaign.

Our day began bright and early entering the halls of Petree Elementary.  Petree is a turnaround model school that has close to 70% new staff, 2 new principals, 16 first year teachers and a huge challenge ahead of them.  From the beginning of our visit we were met with friendly, smiling faces welcoming us to their school.  From the secretary in the office, to the Assistant Principal, to the teachers who came to meet with us in the media center, you could just feel a good vibe at the school.  With Priority Schools Campaign materials in their hands, we talked about the road ahead and how they would tackle the task at hand.  Although reluctant to verbalize any concerns, the staff took the time to write comments about what was working and what needed some help.

Promptly at 8:30, a video announcement started the day.  Students from different grades gave out lunch menus, thoughts for the day, and ended with a cheery message to all the students to make it a great day.  It’s all part of the new vibe at Petree.  Staff and students coming together and working positively towards making Petree a great public school.  So far test scores are up, the community is supporting the changes, and best of all, the students are learning in a positive, encouraging environment.  The Home/School Coordinator (a full time person devoted to creating partnerships with the school and the community) talked to us about how the neighborhood has embraced the change, and is even looking forward to sending their kids to Petree, something that hasn’t always been the case in the past. read more »