2016 Teach For America DFW Summer Institute Guide

2016 DFW SUMMER INSTITUTE

DFW SUMMER INSTITUTE Teach For America DFW Summer Institute is an eight-week pre-service teacher training that begins a two-year program of coaching and support. Through an innovative approach, Teach For America develops curriculum, trains teachers, and provides resources for educators across DFW. In collaboration with local organizations, Teach For America aims to make summer learning a priority for both teachers and students.

TEACH FOR AMERICA PROGRAM CONTINUUM Corps Member Recruitment & Selection

Summer Institute

Ongoing Training & Coaching

Alumni Investment & Support

teachers

students

community

At the center of DFW Institute is a focus on teacher development and coaching.

Strong teacher training drives student results in summer school classrooms.

The program serves as a resource and training ground for the greater education community.

TEACHERS:

TRAINING CLASSROOM LEADERS

Every year, the “summer slide” loss adds up: research finds that two-thirds of the achievement gap among high school students is attributable to summer learning loss in elementary school. The DFW Summer Institute operates with four learning priorities to ensure that teachers are prepared to lead students to succeed in summer school and beyond.

INSTRUCTIONAL

DIVERSITY

Teachers learn to execute lessons effectively, engaging every student while meeting the needs of individual learners. Teachers consult with a diverse community of educators as they learn through professional courses and one-on-one coaching.

Facilitated discussions around diversity and identity help teachers build a learning culture that is inclusive, safe, and productive for all students. Teachers learn how to build relationships with students, families, and colleagues.

COMMUNITY

TRANSITIONING

Through community activities, teachers build an understanding that they are accountable first and foremost to their students, their students’ families, and their community for their impact on students’ personal leadership development and academic success.

Whether transitioning geographically, professionally, or both, it takes support and planning. Teachers develop trusting relationships that catalyze their leadership growth and a sense of belonging that fuels their commitment to this work in DFW.

STUDENTS:

PROVIDING SUMMER ENRICHMENT

Teach For America is proud to provide an enriching summer learning experience in collaboration with Dallas ISD, Big Thought, Momentous Institute, and SMU. The schools we are working with in North Dallas have the highest poverty rate in the district and a large number of English language learners.

increase their confidence and investment in learning

experience meaningful and memorable learning to propel their academic pursuits

1,000 students

enjoy a safe and productive school environment

create positive relationships with peers and teachers that affirm their identity, efforts, and dreams

COMMUNITY:

LEVERAGING LOCAL ASSETS

We are striving to improve learning experiences and outcomes for all students in DFW through collaboration, organizational learning, and discussion about possibilities for future innovations.

EDUCATORS In partnership with Dallas ISD, new teachers are trained and developed alongside experienced mentor teachers. Excellent teacher training is the first step toward expanded opportunities for students.

INVESTORS The DFW Summer Institute brings opportunities to build awareness of our students’ potential and advocate for persistent community commitment to progressing students’ academic and life outcomes.

COLLABORATORS Top local education organizations are joining forces to expand their impact on students as they bring their strengths to enhance our training model. Partnership is key to student success.

INNOVATION:

EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES

The DFW Summer Institute is a platform for innovation—training educators both within and outside of the Teach For America network.

2016 INSTRUCTIONAL COACH TRAINING PROGRAM This summer, we are piloting a new training program for first-year Dallas ISD Instructional Coaches as part of the 2016 DFW Summer Institute. Instructional coaches are district employees assigned to Dallas ISD schools that coach and develop the teachers on a school campus. Training and supporting these coaches is a need in our local education landscape, as they impact students across an entire school.

The training program doesn’t end once summer is over. Professional development and small-group training will continue throughout the fall of the 2016–2017 school year. Through participating in this program, these instructional coaches will lead students and teachers to greater outcomes, become an essential part of their school community, and set a high bar for coaches across the district.

3 FOCUS AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT building authentic relationships grounded in trust between teacher and coach

giving student-centered and evidence-based feedback that leads to classroom change

developing skills to navigate the school ecosystem as an instructional coach

THANK YOU TO OUR COLLABORATORS

DALLAS–FORT WORTH 600 N. Pearl St. Suite 2300 | Dallas, TX 75201 | 214.754.7104 | www.tfadfw.org @tfadfw

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One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.