5 minute read
Pedagogy
their perspectives, recognize their strengths and the gifts of others, build community, and feel good about themselves. SEL gives students insight into themselves as learners while also helping them to think about their future goals for their lives. SEL at WSG helps girls to see the unique and beautiful perspective they bring to the world, establishing a foundation for positive personal growth.
Pedagogy is defined as the art and science of teaching and educational methods. Pedagogy involves being able to convey knowledge and skills in a way that students can understand, remember and apply.
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In 2018, we began a collaborative process to define the WSG way of teaching and learning through the development of a pedagogy statement. It was important to define our pedagogy because we knew there was something special about how WSG engages students in the learning process. We wanted the statement to both capture the essence of our teaching practices and be aspirational.
Our Pedagogy:
01 Faith-Based Root all learning and teaching in our shared belief of God and His love and teachings.
02 Individualized Deliver instruction which is specific and focuses on the needs of the individual student. Utilize this teaching method for remedial or advanced support.
03 Culturally Responsive Acknowledge, response to, celebrate, and offer full, equitable access to education for students from all cultures.
04 Experiential Provide learning that begins with a concrete experience. After solving a problem, learners reflect on the process and are able to apply lessons more broadly to their lives. 06 Flexible Grouping Use data to place students into temporary groups to work together for only as long as it is needed for them to develop an identified skill or to complete a learning activity. The groups change often based on students’ needs, and skill development of knowledge.
07 Differentiated Assessments Modify and match assessments with the varied characteristics/profiles of students in order to meet the students’ learning and boosting their ability to show what they have learned.
08 Positive Behavior Systems Utilize research-based strategies to improve school safety and promote positive behavior.
05 Inquiry-Based Invite students to explore academic content by posing, investigating, and answering questions. 09 Data Driven Decision Making Examine assessment data to identify student strengths and deficiencies and apply those findings to their practice.
Tracy Johnson
Tracy is Washington School for Girls’ Instructional Lead for Equity and Excellence. She works closely with teachers across all disciplines to ensure that every classroom at WSG employs the core pedagogical strategies that lead to academic achievement (growth?) and equitable support for all students. Because every student is unique, Tracy helps teachers carefully plan opportunities to engage each student so that they collectively and independently have opportunities to reach their full potential. Tracy is also a native Washingtonian with deep roots to the Anacostia community.
Born and raised in historic Anacostia, Tracy was the youngest of two children born to Edward and Joanne Johnson of South Carolina. She graduated with honors from Eastern Senior High School. Her mother worked as a member of the cafeteria staff at Ketcham Elementary School for over 25 years. She encouraged Tracy to join clubs and organizations in school and in the community. In addition to being involved in schoolwide activities, Tracy is also involved in her church and community organizations. Her first job was working as a camp counselor at the church during the summer.
Tracy draws inspiration from her father. He started a neighborhood watch program with the support of his family and a few dedicated neighbors. The group would gather to patrol the neighborhood. To create a distinctive look, they donned neon orange hats and jackets that anyone could easily recognize. Originally dubbed “The Orange Hats,” they later adopted the name - The Fairlawn Coalition, the official name of the community. The Fairlawn Coalition went on to expand its reach to every quadrant of the city where it thrived well into the early 2000’s. As a result, crime decreased in neighborhoods where “The Orange Hats” were on patrol. Mr. Johnson humbly received awards and media coverage for his work in the community, even having the honor of being presented an award from former President of the United States, George H.W. Bush.
Tracy chose HBCU Morgan State University where she graduated with honors in 2000. One of the biggest joys of her life was having the opportunity to work with many of her former teachers, under the leadership of her former school principal, when she returned to ESHS as a teacher. According to Tracy, “It was a full circle experience.” As a teacher, Tracy chaired several committees including, The Black History Month Committee, American Education Week Committee and even served as Building Representative for the Washington Teachers Union for 3 years. Tracy, a lifelong learner, received her M.Ed degree (Curriculum and Instruction) from National Louis University in 2004.
Tracy Johnson & Dad, Edward S. Johnson, Sr.
If You Can See It, You Can Be It:
A look at WSG’s Women in Leadership Series
WSG’s Women in Leadership Series is an opportunity for our students to be challenged to think about their own voices, impact, and future opportunities while learning from women in leadership positions. This happens by engaging our girls with positive role models who have become changemakers in their communities and industries. Here are some of the women that have come to speak to our students in 2022.
Chevonne Hall Smith joined the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women as its principal in July 2015. In July 2018, Chevonne was named the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Foundation for the Baltimore Leadership for Young Women. The Baltimore Leadership School is a sixth through twelfth-grade public school in Baltimore City. As principal and CEO, 100% of all graduates (Classes of 2016-2021) were accepted to college.
