MTA Today - Winter 2013
http://www.massteacher.org/news/archive/2013/~/media/Files/PDFs/MTAT/13winter.pdf
By Laura Barrett, Communications Specials for Massachusetts Teachers Association
Relevant Quotes: (Please follow the link above to read the complete article.)
Amanda Bell, a teacher at the Winter Hill
Innovation School in Somerville, said
staff members had to decide quickly if
they wanted to convert to a new educational model.
“Prior to Tony coming to us,” she said,
referring to Superintendent Anthony Pierantozzi,
“I don’t think any of us had heard of Innovation
Schools. It was quite interesting at our first
meeting hearing he wanted us to do it and if
we agreed then we had to make a decision very
quickly because there was a grant available.
“This was an opportunity to put innovation on
steroids,” added Jackie Lawrence, president of the
Somerville Teachers Association.
The innovation plan also calls for more
common planning time — carved out of the
existing schedule — and staff-driven professional
development. The school is also introducing a
therapy dog program for special needs students.
In the end, the teachers agreed the Innovation
School process is not just about raising test scores,
though they hope that happens. Mostly, they want
their school to be a welcoming community that
addresses both the learning and social-emotional
needs of their students.
