IN Greensburg Salem Spring 2016 | Page 43

of the district and the teacher to ensure that the building blocks of learning are in place. These include a safe, and secure environment, rigorous curriculum, effective instruction, and authentic assessments. Much of the teachers’ induction time is making sure that they understand how they meld this philosophy into their classroom. Meeting once a month for a two-year period, these educators are encouraged to try out new techniques or best practices and then share and reflect on their lesson as planned and implemented. As the months proceed they will be exposed to a variety of tools to use in their classrooms. New teachers also learn to apply the components of Understanding by Design, a framework for designing curriculum units, performance assessments, and instruction that lead students to deep understanding of the content being taught (Wiggins & McTighe). They will increase their knowledge of the state standards and understand how these standards inform instruction. The teachers will also study the practices of assessment and effective learning and learn to apply them to the classrooms. At the end of the two-year induction period the teachers will have become more effective instructors, joined a collaborative culture and begun to see themselves as teacher leaders. H H H Coming to a theater near you! H H H GSHS continues its musical “tradition” with the family favorite, Fiddler on the Roof. A cast of 68, with many more students involved in behind the scenes, will share the story of Tevye and his family. The character of Tevye serves as your guide to his life in a small Jewish town in rural Russia where he is raising five daughters who defy tradition. Set in a time of social and political upheaval, Tevye examines his Jewish beliefs and he questions how he can walk the path of his faith when the world around him is changing. The musical features favorites, “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Sunrise Sunset,” “Matchmaker,” and of course, “Tradition.” Performances Friday, February 26 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 27 7:30 p.m. Sunday, February 28 2:00 p.m. The Sunday performance will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Tickets are $10.00 – reserved seating and $8.00 – general admission. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, February 22. For information call 724-832-2960. Disney’s The Lion King Jr. has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world and now, for the first time ever, you have the opportunity to experience this one-of-a-kind musical at Greensburg Salem Middle School. The African savanna comes to life on stage with Mufasa, Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Timone, Pumba, and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle and back again in this beloved and inspiring coming-of-age tale. Performances Thursday March 17, 2015 Friday March 18, 2015 Saturday March 19, 2015 Sunday March 20, 2015 7:30 p.m. (Patron Night) 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $7.00 – reserved seating and $5.00 – general admission. Tickets will be presold in the Middle School Lobby on March 14, 15 and 16 at 5:30-7:00 pm. Tickets will also be on sale an hour and a half before each show. Greensburg-Salem | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 41 GRE E N SBU RG SAL E M SC HOOL DI STRI C T NE WS R esearch shows teachers have a huge impact on student success. Because a good teacher is the largest single factor influencing student learning Greensburg Salem spends a great deal of time and effort in the selection of a teacher. But the investment in a teacher does not stop there, for the first two years of employment at GSSD, new teachers participate in an Induction Program. “We know that the first two years can be very challenging for a new teacher,” commented Ken Bissell, Coordinator of Secondary Education. “Through the induction process, they become part of our professional learning community and receive the support and instruction they need to build a career and a lifetime of positively influencing students.” New teachers come with lots of ideas and enthusiasm but not necessarily with all the skills they need to be successful. Recognizing that they may have students with a wide-range of experiences and abilities, the induction process helps new teachers to discover ways of meeting the needs of all students through differentiation. They also learn about our GPS – the Greensburg Salem Pathway to Success. The GPS is built on the foundation of a growth mind set and the concept that “effort creates ability.” It is the responsibility Greensburg Salem Helping teachers to reach their goals