As an Instructional Coach for Forsyth County Schools (FCS) in Georgia, I have been provided opportunities to expand knowledge and understanding of SIM.
- Introduced and Implemented SIM LS at the Elementary Level
Although SIM LS were already being used within FCS for secondary students, they were not being used at the elementary level. I was the first to teach SIM LS to 4th and 5th graders. Now, teachers in all of FCS 22 elementary schools implement SIM LS with their students in grades 2 thru 5.
- Mentoring of 6 SIM PDers - 4 LS and 2 CER
Five years ago during SIM PD workshops, teachers were offered the opportunity to earn SIM MicroCredentials. Although several teachers attended the workshops and implemented SIM LS in their classrooms, six teachers demonstrated exemplary teaching practices and were asked to become SIM PDers. In their first year, they each co-presented either LS or CER workshops. Afterwards, they attended a week long PPDI (now CLLI) with Sue Woodruff. I helped Sue with the institute by organizing materials and notebooks. Afterward I mentored their progress and ensured successful completion. As a result, FCS now has a team of 8 SIM Professional Developers who conduct a multitude of SIM LS and CER workshops. During the 2021-22 school year, over 230 FCS educators attended our workshops.
Other experiences include:
- Coordinate, develop, and present SIM Professional Learning workshops for FCS, private schools, and other districts
- Expand our school district's vision to support the implementation of SIM LS and CER within all Forsyth County Schools
- Provide coaching and modeling for teachers
- Evaluate student data to determine deficits and identify appropriate interventions
- Design school wide intervention plans for FCS
- Design school wide intervention plans for Cherokee County and Colquitt County Schools
- Organize, develop, and co-present the SIM Secondary Intervention Cohort
- Co-present two sessions during the 2021 CLLI with other SIM PDL Apprentices with the guidance of PDLs
- Co-Direct the 2022 CLLI
I look forward to continuing to promote the Strategic Instruction Model within FCS as well as other school districts/schools. Collaborating with other SIM PDers who are devoted to the academic achievement of individuals is a rewarding experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to mentor others in expanding the SIM PD network.
