Setting Goals

Beginning next year, the new Educator Evaluation System will be utilized to evaluate all teachers and specialists in Massachusetts schools.  The Mendon Upton Regional School District, under the direction of superintendent Dr. Joseph Maruszczak, has begun the process of working together to better understand the evaluation tool and the impact it will have on teaching and learning.

As a district, we have begun "unpacking" the rubric which will help us to define and quantify best practices.  Each teacher has also developed SMART Goals which are being submitted to their building principals.  This year, as part of the learning process, each educator has been asked to submit a professional practice goal, as well as a student learning goal.  As the principal of Memorial School, I have had the pleasure of meeting with teachers to discuss their goals and the impact they hope each will have on the learning of the students they serve.  With each meeting, I am more and more impressed with the level of professionalism and commitment of the teachers I am fortunate enough to work with.  The amount of thought and reflection that have clearly been put into each goal is evidence of  the dedication the staff has to providing EVERY student at Memorial School with a positive learning experience, as well as academic and social success.

With the hectic pace that most days bring, the opportunity to sit with teachers and reflect on our practices has been extremely rewarding.  Although change is not always easy, I think that any change which promotes reflection and conversation has to be viewed as positive.