staff analyze data to determine which of the state’s
teacher preparation institutions have the best records
in developing effective teachers, and human resource
staff travel throughout the state to recruit teachers.
The superintendent personally interviews every new
teacher. To help recruit teachers to come to the district, the business community provides incentives to
those who come and stay. The district also provides
significant support throughout a teachers’ tenure to
help them develop as professionals.
Instructional tools. The district has equipped each
teacher with a variety of tools to enhance instruction. For example, interactive curriculum maps are
available for every grade level and content area. Each
map has guidance for the content to teach, pacing,
interactive and engaging activities, higher order
questions, and formative assessments. The district
uses its audio/video enhancement room at Manley
Elementary, funded with Race to the Top money, to
record teachers’ lessons. All videos are archived, and
exemplary lessons are posted on the district’s website for teachers and administrators to view.
“Hamblen County Interactive
Curriculum Maps”
http://hamblencounty.schoolinsites.com/
?DivisioniD=3688&DepartmentiD=3401&
SubDepartmentiD=2760&toggleSideNav
“Hamblen County Model Lesson
Videos”
http://hamblencounty.schoolinsites.com/
Default.asp?PN=Videos&L=1&DivisioniD=
5591&LMiD=224941&toggleSideNav
In addition, teachers have access to a local document called The Essential Strategies Handbook. This
handbook provides a summary of research-based
instructional strategies that have a proven track
record of raising student achievement. The strategies
are based on the work of multiple researchers. Each
page of the handbook describes one strategy and
gives a brief description, a summary of research support, an example of how to utilize the strategy, and
internet resources.
“The Essential Strategies
Handbook”
http://www.tnscore.org/scoreprize/
downloads/2012/HCDOE_
instructional_Strategies.pdf
21
Pathways to the Prize
Lessons from the 2012 SCORE Prize District Winner
Professional development. Hamblen County
Schools offers a variety of professional development
opportunities. First and foremost, teachers turn to
each other for expertise and advice through the professional learning community approach. PLCs are active in each Hamblen County school. All of the PLCs
have shared norms and beliefs, reflective practices,
ongoing technical inquiry, and mutual support and
obligation. Teams of teachers meet with grade-level
peers in horizontal team meetings and with teachers
who teach in adjacent grade levels in vertical team
meetings. They focus strictly on effective instructional practices, data analysis, and professional growth.
At times, the PLCs conduct book studies where
they read and study a text that addresses an area of
common concern or interest. There are also PLCs
comprised of reading coaches and literacy leaders in
elementary schools.
In addition, professional development seminars,
workshops, and institutes are provided. As previously described, these trainings are based on needs
identified through data analysis or as part of initiatives
being implemented by the state and district, such as
the implementation of the Common Core standards
and college and career readiness approaches.
Video: “Using Technology
to Enhance Teaching and
Learning” (2:42)
http://tnscore.org/scoreprize/
district-2012.php
Instructional coaches. The district also provides
teachers with access to district-level instructional
coaches, who are assigned to specific grade levels.
There are five instructional coaches and a specialized
instructional technology support person. The coaches provide professional development, individualized
support, resources, and facilitation of PLCs. They also
sponsor “Lunch and Learn” sessions where teachers
share ideas and instructional strategies while engaging in joint problem-solving activities. The sessions
have been well-attended and are considered very
effective. Finally, the coaches often attend state,
regional, or national conferences and share what they
have learned with other faculty members.