The original PD schedule had several HMH trainings, so it was important enough to put on the schedule at first. Teachers are still under water trying to do everything with zero support and, frankly, feeling very little empathy from COB. Every time this is brought up there is an excuse, there is nothing to actually help unburden us. Please do not say because of LETRS. LETRS also makes it very clear that PD is one indicator of success for new programs, which teachers are responsible for.
Why has there been no elementary training for HMH since the start of the school year?
HMH Professional Learning was designed as job-embedded, school-based professional development led by building-level leaders. This support is provided throughout the year via faculty meetings, PLCs, and coaching.
Several resources are available to assist teachers, including an implementation guide, an editable weekly lesson planning template, and pacing guides. Additionally, Teacher’s Corner within HMH offers live and recorded events focused on various aspects of HMH instruction.
The following structures were established to support implementation:
- HMH Champions: Each school has identified an HMH Champion. Mostly consisting of classroom teachers, these Champions serve on both the school-based literacy team as well as the Division Content Area Team.
- HMH Coachly: Instructional coaches and HMH Champions have access to a dedicated HMH Coach who is available for on-demand support.
- K-5 ELA Content Advisory Team (CAT): Representatives from each school in the division meet monthly to discuss trends in implementation, what's working, and areas needing support in order to refine division guidance documents and support.
- School-Based Literacy Teams: Comprised of the following: building administrators, Instructional Coaches, HMH Champion, TDRT, and Reading Specialists. This team monitors implementation of HMH, student experience, and integration across roles.
- HMH Learning Walks: Completed by members of the School-Based Literacy Team alongside HMH Coaches, these learning walks monitor implementation on HMH, student experience, and integration across roles.
If teachers feel they need more support in implementing HMH, they can contact their Principal, Instructional Coach team, HMH Champion, or ELA Coordinator.
We have also been working with HMH and other VA school divisions to create a special series of optional professional development sessions for teachers to share practices that lead to high-quality instruction and improved student outcomes. Due to other participating districts, these VA-specific sessions will start around 3:45. They will be recorded so that teachers who cannot attend live sessions will have access to the content. We will advertise these experiences through Compass.
Please confirm with yes or no, that LETRS II will be optional for elementary teachers, as was stated on the slide in the fall presentation to the board.
We are currently working on a plan for LETRS II and will share something later this spring.
After hearing how difficult it was to complete this year, what plans are there for next year for secondary employee support and those in elementary who could not complete this year?
We are not planning to implement LETRS at the secondary level. However, teachers have been provided with 21 hours for asynchronous work on LETRS modules.
Of the 446 teachers enrolled this year, 388 are on pace to complete the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) requirements within the allotted time. Among the 58 teachers who are not on pace, the average time spent in LETRS is 9 hours and 55 minutes, with 34 logging fewer than 10 hours.
Principals are working with these individuals to determine how best to support their progress.
Teachers do not feel supported with HMH this year and are already worried about how challenging it will be to have year 2 of HMH and a new math curriculum. What are PD plans for the new math curriculum?
We are working with principals to develop a plan to support math implementation. Much of this depends on the resource that we adopt.
What supports are in place to make sure the current situation does not happen to employees next year who will be doing both LETRS and the new math?
We are working on a plan and will share it later this spring.
Questions from the January AEA Exchange
Answers by Dr. Matthew Haas, Superintendent