NEOSHO CENTRAL ELEMENTARY- Neosho R-V
Central Elementary is currently in year five of the PLC process. They agreed at the beginning of their journey to start slow and move at their own pace. Following the development of their mission and vision, the first real task was to build the capacity of the leadership team itself. A sense of trust and purpose was needed, and quality time was spent just getting to know each other and learning each other’s values. By the end of the first year, the team felt safe and comfortable having those tough conversations.
The teachers at Central Elementary understand that it is critical to the success of any intervention process that it be reviewed and modified regularly to meet students’ needs. As a result, they carefully progressed from a basic model of Tier One RtI to a full Tier Three Model. Today, Central Elementary has three different RtI times, utilizes all staff members, collects and graphs data every four weeks, and has created extension groups. Extension groups are not to be confused with enrichment as there are different ability levels within these pods. They firmly believe every student should experience extension activities.
Teachers were initially encouraged to meet at least once a week within grade levels. During their second year of implementation, they devised their own template for meeting notes that all teams used and turned in. Classroom teachers were given common plan times and encouraged to meet more than once a week. In year three, the leadership team started meeting twice a month for at least 90 minutes. Collaboration is now every Friday for three hours and then at least one other hour during the week.
In providing some suggestions for new PLC schools, the staff at Central Elementary advise that you need to move at your own pace. Everything cannot be done with fidelity at once. Decide what your school needs initially and go from there. Take time to build it with integrity and purpose. Be willing to face mistakes, not accept excuses, and have those tough conversations. Rushing in could lead to failure. Central’s PLC does not accept failure!
Central Elementary School Dottie Smith, Principal
301 Big Spring Drive Phone: 417-451-8620
Neosho, MO 64850 Email: smithdottie@neoshor5.org
Neosho R-V School District * Dan Decker, Superintendent
The teachers at Central Elementary understand that it is critical to the success of any intervention process that it be reviewed and modified regularly to meet students’ needs. As a result, they carefully progressed from a basic model of Tier One RtI to a full Tier Three Model. Today, Central Elementary has three different RtI times, utilizes all staff members, collects and graphs data every four weeks, and has created extension groups. Extension groups are not to be confused with enrichment as there are different ability levels within these pods. They firmly believe every student should experience extension activities.
Teachers were initially encouraged to meet at least once a week within grade levels. During their second year of implementation, they devised their own template for meeting notes that all teams used and turned in. Classroom teachers were given common plan times and encouraged to meet more than once a week. In year three, the leadership team started meeting twice a month for at least 90 minutes. Collaboration is now every Friday for three hours and then at least one other hour during the week.
In providing some suggestions for new PLC schools, the staff at Central Elementary advise that you need to move at your own pace. Everything cannot be done with fidelity at once. Decide what your school needs initially and go from there. Take time to build it with integrity and purpose. Be willing to face mistakes, not accept excuses, and have those tough conversations. Rushing in could lead to failure. Central’s PLC does not accept failure!
Central Elementary School Dottie Smith, Principal
301 Big Spring Drive Phone: 417-451-8620
Neosho, MO 64850 Email: smithdottie@neoshor5.org
Neosho R-V School District * Dan Decker, Superintendent
