Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

SMITHFIELD

Two Isle of Wight County Schools programs intended to assist teachers have been listed in the Virginia School Boards Association’s 24^th annual VSBA “Showcases for Success” directory. IWCS was one of 44 school divisions from across the Commonwealth to have programs featured in the directory.

The first program — Classroom Culture Planning — began at Georgie D. Tyler Middle School to help teachers create a classroom motto and identify team-building exercises. The program also recognizes the importance of parental involvement, and requires teachers to implement specific strategies to positively communicate with parents.

The second program — Duke MasterMinds — began at Windsor High School as Isle of Wight’s version of professional learning communities. Duke MasterMinds are made up of cross-curricular educators on the same planning block, but differ from traditional PLCs in that the focus is not only Standards of Learning data but more about instructional delivery methods that increase student engagement. Since implementation, WHS has seen growth in areas of deeper learning experiences for students and cohesiveness among staff, according to division spokeswoman Lynn Briggs.

“The two programs recognized by the VSBA are all part of our vision to help every child discover his or her unique gifts and talents,” said IWCS Superintendent Dr. Jim Thornton. “Classroom Culture Planning and Duke Masterminds demonstrate our commitment to preparing our students to be college, career and life ready.”

The full VSBA Showcases for Success directory is available at www.vsba.org/showcases. It includes division-wide programs, as well as those at elementary, middle, and high school levels. The focus of the 2020 VSBA Showcases for Success is “The Profile of a Virginia Graduate,” highlighting unique program offerings in Virginia’s public schools.