get lost , to look for those things in each kid in our classroom . That comes from the top down and the bottom up .”
Power Mondays began at Ravenwood in 2006 with a pilot so successful that the program is now in place at all middle and high schools in the district . Ravenwood Principal Pam Vaden said she keeps her requirements for Power Mondays simple . Teachers meet in small , same-subject teams and are asked to look at student data and determine which kids have grasped the material and need more enriching activities and which kids need additional help . Teachers are also asked to come up with a common assessment for every teacher on the Power Monday team to administer to students every 2½ weeks , and to analyze the results together . Beyond that , teachers are given freedom to use the time as they need .
“ It ’ s such a part of our culture ,” said Dr . Pam Vaden . “ We get those teachers together and just require a few things . They know where they need to go . You don ’ t have to tell them .”
“ It ’ s such a part of our culture ,” said Dr . Vaden . “ We get those teachers together and just require a few things . They know where they need to go . You don ’ t have to tell them .”
Teacher collaboration has helped develop individualized instruction techniques used at Ravenwood . For example , Ms . Neuroth worked with another Ravenwood instructor to devise an “ interactive notebook ” strategy that has since been shared with educators across the county . Students take notes on a class discussion on the right side of a notebook , and personally reflect on the material on the left side . Responses have ranged from artistic and creative to quantitative and analytical . Students are able to approach the material from the angle most meaningful to them , without teachers attempting to design a class full of different assignments .
“ A student is much more willing to work through the hard days if they know a teacher cares about them beyond the four walls of their classroom ,” Ms . Neuroth said . “ AP classes can be a huge leap from what they ’ ve done before . If they see you care about them and what they ’ re doing , they ’ re willing to do just about anything for you . No one wants to feel like a number when they go to school , ever .”
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