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Pillar 4: Professional Learning and Quality Staff
Somewhat Agree: 12% Neutral: 2%
Somewhat Disagree: 1% Disagree: 0%
I AM THANKFUL TO WORK IN SUNNYVALE ISD
134 sta members took this survey.
Somewhat Disagree: 3% Neutral: 5% Disagree: 2%
Somewhat Agree: 28%
TEACHERS SET HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING
356 parents answered this question.
Totally Agree: 85% Totally Agree: 62%
TEXAS READING ACADEMY
All SIS teachers (grades 3-5 - including principals, special education teachers, Science, Social Studies and Math teachers) have completed and passed all requirements for the Texas Reading Academy. This is an intense, 11-month course which is required for all Texas teachers and principals, grades K-3. However, SISD required all teachers and principals in Pre-K-5th grade and K-12 Special Education teachers. Participants must complete the following and meet passing expectations: 60 hours of in-person learning, pass three artifacts that were Canvas-graded (Canvas is an online system) and two artifacts that were graded by two TEA-moderated graders. They have to completed four observations and coaching sessions with Kristen Nester, SISD’s Texas Reading Academy Cohort Leader. Additionally, they must complete pre-tests and post-tests for each of the 12 modules in the academy.
TO WHAT DEGREE: …Are we providing time for professional development and growth? …Do we recruit and retain high-quality staff? …Are we increasing diversity on our staff? …Are we developing effective, high-quality staff that can support the diverse needs of our students?
SUPPORTING TEACHERS IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL GOALS
iLearn is SISD’s Professional Development Framework, coordinated by Director of Professional Learning Jennifer Settle. Teachers utilize iLearn to set professional goals, attend trainings and professional development opportunities (inside and outside of SISD) and then log hours within the online system. Weekly e-mails are sent to all teachers to provide updates, reminders, motivation, praise and professional development opportunities. At the end of the year, Mrs. Settle and the “Prize Patrol” reward teachers for their hard work in obtaining hours of learning. • 134 classroom teachers reached the iLearn Goal • 75 Bronze Level teachers (12+ hours) • 26 Silver Level teachers (20 - 29 hours) • 6 Gold Level teachers (30 - 39 hours) • 8 Platinum Level teachers (40 - 49 hours) • 19 Diamond Level teachers (50+ hours) • This year, the Professional Learning Team added OnDemand Professional Development such as weekly choice boards, new book studies and a districtdeveloped series entitled, “Podcasts, Pedometers and Pedagogy”.
SISD also provides a robust mentoring program for all new teachers, which follows our New Employee orientation.
RECRUITING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST FOR SISD’S TEAM
In order to fully understand SISD’s recruitment and staff retention needs, SISD established a Recruitment and Retention Team to support the Staff Quality and Recruitment goals of our Strategic Plan. The team is made up of a group of teachers, students, administrators and community members and follows the tradition of SISD’s special project team model of seeking community input for important goals.
“Attracting and retaining a talented faculty and staff is one of our most important priorities,” Superintendent Doug Williams said. “It’s vital that our district seek community input in this important endeavor.”
TEACHERS GET GRADES, TOO!
Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS)
418 Campus Classroom WalkThroughs Completed
After a team of SISD teachers evaluated teacher appraisal systems, they selected the T-TESS system. The Board of Trustees approved the system and it was implemented throughout the district during 2021-2022. T-TESS is a system designed by educators to support teachers in their professional growth.
“Our goal was to Increase the intentionality in focusing on instruction in our classrooms,” Dr. Christi Morgan said. “As a result, our principals have spent more time in classrooms and spent more time coaching teachers.”
SISD principals received specialized training for how to implement the teacher appraisal system. In the first year of implementing the new teacher appraisal system, 67% of our teachers feel that they have had more instructionallyfocused conversations with their campus administrators as a result of T-TESS implementation.
