Yesterday’s eclipse had people everywhere looking up, nowhere more than at schools readying for the start of a new year tomorrow.
In that spirit, Governor Kim Reynolds, among other state and local officials, was at Edmunds Elementary School Tuesday morning where things are also looking up thanks to the school’s emphasis on new and improved learning conditions and teaching methods.
Governor Reynolds, who was kicking off her Start of School Tour by choosing Edmunds as the site for her weekly press conference, was joined by the Director of the Iowa Department of Education, Ryan Wise (the father of two DMPS students, he proudly noted), and Deborah Reed (no, not Read), Director of the Iowa Reading Research Council.
State leaders are looking at big picture ways to strengthen Iowa’s workforce talent pipeline. One critical element is ensuring that students read proficiently by the end of third grade. All of the state’s 333 school districts measure students’ reading skills three times a year.
DMPS Superintedent Dr. Tom Ahart was there and took the opportunity to tout the 5.7% hike in reading proficiency among district K-3rd graders as measured by the FAST exam. That translates into an additional 580 students who have learned to read so they can now read to learn. The Superintendent also noted that other initiatives at DMPS, such as work with the Wallace Foundation to improve supports for school principals, is also contributing to success in the classroom.
Edmunds principal Jaynette Rittman said that improved instructional techniques there were instrumental in the 20% rise in reading proficiency the school has registered over the last three years.
“We’ve used strategies like yoga in the classroom to improve students’ self-regulation and PLCs (professional learning communities) to identify teacher leaders who mentor new teachers,” said Rittman. “We’re making consistent progress.”
Then children, as they have a way of doing, stole the show, right on cue. Edmunds teacher Hilary Rinker escorted Princess Solo, Boutrus Awa, Ja’Majzeon Barnett, Iqra Warsame and Sumaye Warsame into position. The quintet of 2nd and 3rd graders took turns reading a story entitled First Day Jitters in perfect five-part harmony. They displayed nary a jitter at having to report to school a day early or sitting through all the grownup speechifying or all of the cameras pointed at them or microphones stuck in their faces.
Spoiler alert: Everyone was so attentive to the kids reading aloud to a roomful of adults that there was the reaction the author intended to the surprise ending when Sarah Jane Hartwell, the protagonist of the story who’s fretful about her first day at a new school, turns out to be a teacher, not a student.
There will be jitters around the district tomorrow. After all, it’s New Year’s Day! But principals like Rittman and teachers like Rinker are wise in the ways of converting jitters into growth and achievement. Wait and see.