The entire faculty, in consultation with parents and the community, establish school goals. The professional development program emphasizes improving the entire instructional program, with a focus on literacy throughout the curriculum. All staff are included in professional development activities, and teachers have gradually taken ownership of and responsibility for school improvement efforts. Staff teams meet regularly to examine individual teacher needs and determine the best ways to address those needs. Professional development activities include overnight staff retreats and small, focused study groups.
Teachers try new practices in their classrooms and then examine the results with other teachers.
The school has a very low teacher turnover rate in part because new staff are hired through an interview process that involves teachers. Veteran teachers also help new staff members incorporate effective strategies into their practice. Montview Elementary School, Aurora, Colorado At Montview Elementary School, teachers see themselves as lifelong learners with an individual and collective responsibility to improve student achievement. A strong, coherent professional development plan enables them to accomplish this goal. Because Montview engages in site-based decision making, teachers are integral to all planning and decisions.