Second-Grade Team at McWhirter Elementary Professional Development Laboratory School Receives Learning Forward’s Shirley Hord Learning Team Award
DALLAS—June 1, 2012—Learning Forward and Corwin announced the second-grade team at McWhirter Elementary Professional Development Laboratory School, Clear Creek Independent School District, Webster, Texas, as the winner of the Shirley Hord Learning Team Award. This award is given to a team of teachers that demonstrates Learning Forward’s definition of professional development in action.
Fourteen teams from schools across the United States submitted nominations. Each school submitted a video and documentation as evidence of their professional learning work. A team of 14 reviewers, which included Learning Forward Scholar Laureate Shirley Hord and Learning Forward members, reviewed the submissions using Learning Forward’s Learning School Innovation Configuration Map. Two schools, Quil Ceda and Tulalip Elementary School, Marysville, Washington, and Haslet Elementary School, Haslet, Texas, were named runners-up.
According to McWhirter Elementary’s Principal Dr. Michael Marquez, “These teachers recognize that they can accomplish more together than individually and so they meet throughout the week to plan, reflect, read, and problem solve issues related to instructional practice.” Thanks to the team’s efforts to increase below-grade level reading percentages and maximize small group and one-to-one instruction in math, 72% of students schoolwide are reading at or above grade level, compared to 43% in the fall. Using collaboration in professional learning teams, data analysis, student learning goals, analyzing student work, and the support of a literacy and math coach, the number of students meeting grade-level standards improved 79% in second grade math.
“Teacher collaborative learning leads to increased student achievement. When teachers extend their professional expertise to meet the needs of all students, refine their teaching practices, analyze students’ classroom work to understand student learning, and make necessary adjustments in their teaching through professional learning, all students benefit,” indicates Jacqueline Kennedy, associate director of strategic initiatives at Learning Forward. “This award honors the research Shirley Hord has conducted on the attributes and effects of successful professional learning communities. The second-grade team at McWhirter Elementary Professional Development Laboratory School is a strong example of a learning team in action.” Learning Forward’s annual awards program recognizes individuals for their commitment to improving student achievement through effective professional learning. Learning Forward and Corwin will present the Shirley Hord Learning Team Award at the Learning Forward 2012 Summer Conference Tuesday, July 24, in Denver. Corwin generously sponsored the award, which includes funds to support three representatives of the winning second-grade team from McWhirter Elementary to participate in Learning Forward’s 2012 Summer Conference. The winning school will also receive $2,500 to support collaborative professional learning and a gift of Corwin books for the school’s professional library.
“The impressive achievement gains at McWhirter Elementary demonstrate the power of professional learning and teacher collaboration to improve the quality of education in every school. Corwin is proud to sponsor the Shirley Hord Learning Team Award with Learning Forward as part of our mission to ‘help educators do their work better,'” said Mike Soules, president of Corwin.
