Turning Points - Transforming Middle Schools

National Conference
National Institute
Conferences

July 19-23, 2004
Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings
Warwick, Rhode Island (Providence area)

One person cannot lead the process of dramatically improving learning and teaching in any school. The type of deep, sustainable change demanded by the Turning Points model requires many leaders throughout a school community - teachers, team leaders, in-house facilitators, administrators, and Turning Points coaches. Principals are strongly urged to come with a group of teachers so the team can effectively plan for the upcoming year.

The Turning Points National Institute is designed to help new and returning Turning Points educators and coaches develop the capacity to lead the work. The Institute will focus on helping participants better understand their particular roles and acquire the tools and strategies needed to facilitate significant change. The Institute will deepen your understanding of the Turning Points practices and further develop facilitation and coaching skills.

Click here for the registration form and information sheet.

For more information, call Sandy at 617 421 0134 ext. 230

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Review about 2003 National Institute, by Ralph Watson, Principal, Andrews Middle School (Medford, MA)

I found having several of my teachers there (at the Summer Institute) and time to plan together we were able to create an action plan that we have successfully completed this year. First was to finalize our vision statement which we did on our opening day professional development time. It was a work in progress and we were able to take to the next level, open it up to parent and student feedback and input and then the newly-formed leadership team finalized it.

We have our leadership team up and running which includes teacher reps from each area, one secretary, one instructional aide rep, one custodian rep. Teachers have taken on the role of facilitator, agenda keeper, time keeper and note taker. We meet monthly for 90 minutes and have developed our norms and goal for the year.

And lastly we took the results of our Self-Study and reviewed what the data told us and created 8 inquiry groups which meet monthly for 60 minutes in place of our faculty meeting time. We have also begun to create a school portfolio.

It has been a great start to the year due in part to the great summer trainings you and your staff offered. Thanks!