2021-2022 ANNUAL BOARD UPDATE
LEADING & LEARNING
➊
➌ ➋ LEADING & LEARNING
1. Working together to implement an attendance initiative for our schools are Family and Community Liaison Ninoshka Alba (left) and Diane Dugas, Director of Leading and Learning (right).
integrates learning opportunities for educators so that professional learning is embedded in district culture and is no longer limited to events that occur periodically each year. We create opportunities for administrators and teachers to participate in regional professional learning communities and have expanded our capacity to provide coaching to districts that are engaged in personalized, competency-based learning. We support the implementation of systems and structures to provide deep and impactful learning, both in our region and beyond.
2. Anna Forlenza-Bailey and Robyn Incera review math standards for our curriculum. 3. On-site Professional Learning workshops have resumed in Hampton.
eastconn.org/l&l
EASTCONN Annual Board Update 2021-2022 | LEADING & LEARNING 1.
2021-2022 ANNUAL BOARD UPDATE
2021-2022 HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE EASTCONN CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP (CEL)
•
District-Based Teacher Leadership
Academy: Eight aspiring leaders from a member district engaged in a multi-
Both virtually and in-person, CEL offers
year cohort of professional learning,
communities of practice as well as coaching
the systemic alignment of key district
education leaders access to regional
leading to increased coherence and
and adult-centered learning opportunities,
initiatives.
to help them examine the nature of
leadership in today’s world. Administrators and other district leaders benefit from
interactive, experiential activities that are
dedicated to evidence-based practices and personal reflection. •
Leadership Coaching: CEL staff provided in-person, customized
coaching to 25 school and district leaders, addressing their unique
school needs and challenges. We
utilized the Connecticut Leadership Framework to guide discussions,
while supporting new and veteran
leaders with their current initiatives, challenges and opportunities. •
Principal Community of Practice: A cohort of principals from four
districts met throughout the year to discuss problems of practice and to share strategies and resources. •
Strategic Advancement Planning: We supported the implementation of one district’s strategic plan,
leading to a customized action
plan for district advancement. We
engaged stakeholders in professional development to generate action plans for implementation in classrooms. •
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): As a result of COVID-19, SEL for students and staff has become
Reading & Writing Workshop Model
We supported the implementation of
the Reading & Writing Workshop model, providing professional learning in nine districts to more than 250 educators, paraprofessionals and leaders.
EDUCATOR EVALUATION PLANNING & SUPPORT
Essential Standards Identification
Professional Development & Evaluation Committee (PDEC)
standards and rubric development across
Our CEL education specialists continued to support PDEC committees in one district,
contributing to increased coherence among teacher evaluation, student performance
data and professional development. Such
supportive professional learning strategies led to the improved alignment of strategic initiatives across the district.
We facilitated the identification of essential 10 content areas for district high schools. The final product will serve as a basis for
a competency curriculum framework, selfreflection and feedback in a personalized competency learning environment.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
Staff maintained only virtual and live-
streamed lessons due to COVID-19; two
Educator Evaluation
districts accessed the Mobile STEM Lab.
calibration training to 38 teachers,
Our educational specialists have been
CEL staff provided educator evaluation developing their capacity to provide rich
feedback while strengthening their process and impact on student learning.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING: REGIONAL & LOCAL
Embedded In-District Support & Training
Mathematics
providing district-embedded professional learning, modeling and coaching to 37
math educators in three districts, focusing on writing and updating curriculum and
piloting and adopting new mathematics programs.
Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Staff provided 377 days of on-site, embedded PD and support in 18
districts. We implemented customized
professional learning plans for a variety of transformational foci, including the
transition to personalized, competencybased learning (PCBL), integrating SEL
Our team provided on-going, in-district training, professional development and
implementation support on Project-Based
Learning to one district. In addition to the
in-district support, we provided online PBL
training sessions, engaging educators from across the state.
and academics with curriculum, instruction and assessment development, content curriculum work and more.
central to all of CEL’s work. We
have supported 725+ educators and leaders through in-district coaching and professional learning. 2.
EASTCONN Annual Board Update 2021-2022 | LEADING & LEARNING
2021-2022 ANNUAL BOARD UPDATE
36
“
“[EASTCONN staff] has been able to provide input across grade levels and curricular areas in order to help us continue to provide an excellent education across academic and social emotional realms.” – Sam Roberson, Principal at Hampton Elementary School
All 36 EASTCONNmember districts participated in
our free Councils
➊
377
Days of on-site, embedded PD
and support provided in 18 districts
➋
224
➌
Schools & districts utilized the
EASTCONN-managed TEAM platform
1. EASTCONN’s Leading and Learning professionals work with building and district leadership to support the planning of individual and schoolwide next steps. 2. Our Center for Educational Leadership staff provided in-person, customized coaching to 25 school and district leaders in 2021-2022. 3. Many administrators and teachers participate in EASTCONN’s regional professional learning communities.
“
Social Emotional Learning is helping our students to be prepared for tomorrow’s workplace. It’s about giving them the character skills, as well as the technical skills, to be successful in any environment.” - David Howes, EASTCONN Director of Talent Development
SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EASTCONN’S WORK WITH SEL
EASTCONN Annual Board Update 2021-2022 | LEADING & LEARNING 3.
2021-2022 ANNUAL BOARD UPDATE
REGIONAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING, IN-PERSON & ONLINE
1,500+ current Mentors using the new, EASTCONN-created HABILIS Learning Suite.
Personalized Competency Coaching
Title III Consortium for English Learners
with KnowledgeWorks, a highly regarded
this regional consortium, enabling them
and professional learning through a
to support the teaching and learning of
leaders across 50 states. Specific
We continued our multi-year partnership
Twenty-five (25) districts participated in
national organization, providing planning
to access more than $50,000 in resources
national community of practice, engaging
English Learners (ELs).
emphasis was placed on equality through
Perkins Consortium
distribution; and cultural explorations through the arts.
LEAP Grant
In partnership with the CSDE and RESC
Alliance, 10 staff at Windham High School were trained to implement home visits
with families of students who are at risk of chronic absenteeism. Facilitation of these home visits through local family liaisons
has positively impacted 400+ students and their families.
supported six districts through this
LEADING & LEARNING COUNCILS
Throughout the pandemic, staff continued
a comprehensive needs assessment that
host and facilitate free, virtual, regional
educators. The EASTCONN Regional Staff
data to provide greater alignment of
dozens of weekly video conferences with
Participants defined goals for Continuous
providing an interactive forum for peer
and grow the capacity of their Career and
statewide developments; and other
build college-career pathways.
personalized learning plans.
Networking During COVID-19
We distributed nearly $75,000 and
federally funded grant, helping conduct
to offer critical online supports to district
included a review of regional labor market
Development Council (RSDC) offered
program focus with local job opportunities.
member-district school administrators,
Improvement Plans that will strengthen
support; educational, national and
Technical Education (CTE) programs and
resources. To broaden our region’s access to other Connecticut district colleagues,
we collaborated with the RESC Alliance to
offer a statewide RSDC network, linking all of Connecticut’s school districts.
OTHER TEACHING & LEARNING INITIATIVES
Teacher Education And Mentoring (TEAM) Collaborative
Due to COVID-19, we continued to
councils across a wide variety of content areas, providing member districts
with opportunities to share resources, information and professional learning.
Minutes and resources were shared to accommodate learning for all. •
Community Arts Connection After-School Program
emerging trends in instruction for
English Learners. Participants shared best practices and received updates
Heights continued to be impacted by
from the CSDE on curriculum,
COVID-19; while pre-pandemic attendance
assessment and effective instruction
was 50 students, this year, 10-14 students with homework, science experiments,
partnership with LEARN, 12 districts took part in discussions focused on
This after-school program at Windham
attended regularly, in person. Daily help
English Learners Roundtable: In
strategies. •
drawing lessons and outdoor nature hikes
English Language Arts/Social
Studies Council: 149 educators from
were conducted.
31 districts attended this council.
the success of this statewide initiative,
Interdistrict Grants
from the CSDE, participants shared
statewide to enroll more than 3,900
grant programs that provided integrated
in the CSDE’s TEAM program. Using
students, representing 14 rural and urban
network enables TEAM District Facilitators
engaged with racially, culturally and
beginning teachers throughout the module
regions. This year’s themes included
27 districts participated regularly,
eight virtual TEAM training sessions for
practices to develop social and emotional
resources and professional
and Reviewers and updated and certified
food cycle from growth, production and
accountability and math progressions.
EASTCONN continued to contribute to which enabled 224 schools and districts
In addition to receiving updates
Our grant facilitators led five state-funded
knowledge on effective culturally
relevant curriculum and assessments,
beginning teachers and 6,100 mentors
learning experiences for more than 1,400
EASTCONN’s online platform and support
Connecticut school districts. Students
and Mentors to collaborate and support
economically diverse peers from different
and reflection-paper process. We provided
diversity and cultural competency; mindful
receiving up-to-date information,
201 new Mentors, Beginning Teachers
understanding and self-regulation; the
development around assessment,
4.
including discussion and work around the new African-American and Latino studies curriculum. •
Math Council: 64 educators from
EASTCONN Annual Board Update 2021-2022 | LEADING & LEARNING
2021-2022 ANNUAL BOARD UPDATE
725
“
Our work with EASTCONN has provided critical reflection for our entire team to dive deeper into the topics of resiliency and traumainformed practice within our schools.”
Educators &
leaders were
supported through in-district coaching & professional learning
➋
➊
250
Educators in 9
districts benefited from Reading &
Writing Workshops
– Steven Autieri, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment for Stafford
➌
Public Schools
1. EASTCONN’s Director of Leading and Learning Diane Dugas (center) with Education Specialists Kristin Stryker (left) and Evan Krawiec (right) discuss the roles of personalized learning coaches, who support teachers in meeting the needs of students through rigorous curriculum, instruction and interventions. 2. EASTCONN Mobile STEM Lab. 3. The eastconn.org website enables educators to register for EASTCONN’s Professional Learning events, whether virtual or in-person.
“
[Mindfulness] had given us some experience in doing this work before the pandemic hit. Right now, we’re really seeing a need for mindfulness - in teachers and adults especially.” - Interdistrict Grants Facilitator Esther Soffer (left), pictured with colleague Stephanie White SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EASTCONN’S INTERDISTRICT GRANT PROGRAM
EASTCONN Annual Board Update 2021-2022 | LEADING & LEARNING 5.
2021-2022 ANNUAL BOARD UPDATE
“
EASTCONN has been instrumental in supporting Eastford and other small districts. They have been a reliable source of support in bringing state information and initiatives to our small districts with similar needs.” - Carole McCombe, Principal at Eastford Elementary School
•
Regional Staff Development Council (RSDC): Staff hosted educators from 36 districts at monthly meetings, and regular meetings
after school closures, where they received
updates on state education initiatives from
CSDE officials, also engaging in collaborations around professional learning opportunities, current challenges and shared resources. •
Science Council: 90 educators from 36
districts gained information and resources for advancing scientific thinking, curricula, assessment and instruction; educators
benefited from regular CSDE updates and collaborative sharing. •
Social Emotional Learning Council:
Educators from across the state engaged in
collegial conversations to share problems of practice, as well as strategies and resources
Plans & Implications for 2022-2023 ✔ DIVERSITY, EQUITY,
INCLUSION & JUSTICE (DEI & J)
Building upon our belief and practices that all students can learn and succeed, we will continue to integrate DEI&J throughout our work, including placing an emphasis on culturally responsive teaching, learning and courageous leadership.
that are working, to address student and staff SEL.
✔ PERSONALIZED, COMPETENCYBASED LEARNING
As the need to re-engage students in our region and state grows, we will focus on supporting districts in research-proven processes that emphasize student agency, as we help them build comprehensive plans to guide their journey.
6.
✔ SOCIAL
EMOTIONAL & ACADEMIC LEARNING (SEAD)
We will continue to deepen professional learning with core elements of SEAD. Building on the EASTCONN theory of action, we’ll integrate evidence-based practices for academic, social and emotional learning across all grades, and provide professional support to teachers and leaders to promote sustainability.
✔ FAMILY
ENGAGEMENT
Given the traumatic experience of COVID-19, we’ll help districts focus on engaging families in essential needs to reconnect children to schools, employ highimpact strategies linked to learning and support family needs.
EASTCONN Annual Board Update 2021-2022 | LEADING & LEARNING