On Monday, January 6, Worth School District teachers and staff kicked off 2020 with an engaging Staff Institute Day at Worth Junior High. Keynote speaker Janis Heigel challenged staff to help students to go beyond the “finding the correct answer” mindset and instead help them to start thinking critically and constructively as they learn. Later in the day, she hosted a professional development class expanding on this line of critical learning for our math teachers and some of the staff.

While that professional development class was ongoing, the rest of the instructional staff gathered in the gym for another professional development opportunity to listen to a pair of presenters who addressed the issues of cultural competency and implicit bias. The staff who attended were treated to a mix of thought exercises, personal testimonials, and videos that discussed problems that can arise from stereotypes and deep-seated biases by both individuals and institutions.

Teachers and secretaries also had the chance to learn about and train with the new phones that were installed district-wide over winter break. The new phones replaced an aging system and were excitedly welcomed by everyone who came to work Monday.

The day concluded with some training with GoGuardian, a classroom management software that helps keep students on task when they’re using their technology devices in the classroom.

This Staff Institute Day is a perfect example of the growth mindset of District 127, all in the service of educating the children that come through our doors.

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