Page 34 - 2017 GPISD Honor Board Application

4. Support for Educational

Improvement Projects

and School Transformation Initiatives

4.1 APPROVAL OF LONG-RANGE PLANS FOR CURRICULUM AND DESIGN AND REVISIONS
AND OTHER PHASES OF THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The Board of Trustees continues to prioritize student success by supporting the mission of Galena Park
ISD, which is “To Prepare Students to Become Productive Citizens and Lifelong Learners.” Trustees
depend on the Curriculum and Instruction Department to ensure clear expectations are set for teachers
regarding curriculum and instruction. These expectations are communicated through the electronic
Curriculum Corner portal; also, teachers meet regularly to review student assessment data and to
collaborate on matters of curriculum and instruction. Curriculum Corner is a locally-developed webpage
accessible to teachers and administrators to provide engaging, interactive, and effective instructional
resources. Teachers in all core areas, Fine Arts, Career and Technical Education, and Technology will find
a curriculum map for each unit of instruction, along with a wealth of resources to enhance learning while
remaining in compliance with state requirements and in alignment with district and department goals. In
addition, support is provided in Curriculum Corner for Advanced Academics, Bilingual/ESL, Early
Childhood, Special Education, Multicultural Education and Student Assessment. With backing from our
Trustees, the needs of all students are met, and resources are provided for each content area.

Two-Day Teacher Curriculum Academy Instructional Coaching
The Board of Trustees recognizes student It is part of GPISD’s long-range plan for
achievement depends on rigorous standards and instructional improvement to ensure all teachers
a knowledgeable educational team. To have high are provided the support they need, not only
standards for students, thorough preparation for through the two-day Curriculum Academy, but also
the staff members who work with them must be throughout the year. This is provided through the
the norm. Through approval of the school calendar, Board-approved positions of Instructional Coaches
the Board provides teachers a two-day Curriculum and Specialists. An Instructional Coach works side-
Academy every August in each subject area as part by-side with teachers in a variety of roles serving
of their contracted days of service. The Academy as an on-site professional developer and ensuring
offers teachers an intense focus on curriculum high-quality instruction.
and instructional strategies in a supportive
environment. Additionally, curriculum specialists Board trustees also provide for coaches to receive
and teacher teams the professional training needed to ensure they
learn and problem- understand how to navigate the complexities
solve collaboratively of supporting educators. By investing in the
as they develop the instructional coaching model, our Trustees ensure
knowledge and skills coaches help teachers develop a deep understanding
they need to address of a comprehensive, focused set of effective teaching
students’ academic practices, plan collaboratively, and foster meaningful
needs. professional and student learning.

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