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Mr. Sprung provided a brief introduction to the presentation which will focus on <br /> the role of teacher leaders and the importance of the teacher leaders in the MTSS <br /> model. He introduced Patti Beckman and Danielle Tucker who would be <br /> presenting this evening. <br /> Ms. Tucker described what teacher leadership looks like at Birch Meadow. The <br /> teacher leaders have a voice in the development of policies and decisions that are <br /> in the best interest of the students. The teacher leaders also guide in the growth of <br /> their colleagues acting as a conduit conveying information to the teachers and <br /> staff in the building. <br /> Mrs. Beckman shared who was on the leadership team at Birch Meadow. There <br /> are teachers from every level, principal Sprung and the School Psychologist. <br /> Ms. Tucker provided a brief overview of the Multi-Tiered System of Support <br /> (MTSS) and the process the team used to develop a strategy for the students and <br /> staff at Birch Meadow. <br /> The TEAM has created school-wide values that are incorporated throughout the <br /> school and are taught and reinforced in many ways. The core values of present, <br /> safe, kind, respectful and responsible make up the "Give me five!" initiative. The <br /> TEAM has worked to develop consistency throughout the school by gathering <br /> input for each representative of the team. The TEAM then spent time on each <br /> decision to ensure that it aligned well with the school climate and culture. There <br /> are visual reminders throughout the school to reinforce the behavioral <br /> expectations of the students and staff. The TEAM also spent a good amount of <br /> time developing a behavioral matrix that outlines the expectations for the five <br /> parts of the "Give me five" mantra. <br /> Birch Meadow students are recognized for displaying one of the core values with <br /> a"Paws"itive Character Award. Any staff member or parent can fill out a <br /> character card for a student. The character cards are read as part of the morning <br /> announcements. Birch Meadow holds school wide assemblies to reinforce and <br /> outline the expectations. The first half of the year is used to focus on the core <br /> values using the matrix as a guide. The second half of the year is used to focus on <br /> expected behavior throughout the different parts of the school as described in the <br /> matrix. Additionally, Birch Meadow students perform age appropriate <br /> community service as part of the Birch Meadow Cares project. <br /> Teacher leaders are active members of the School and Student Councils at Birch <br /> Meadow. They also actively embrace the role of teachers teaching teachers. The <br /> school used data from the TellMASS survey to teach and model best practices in <br /> order to improve instruction across the school. They take active roles in staff <br /> meetings, PLC's, observations and facilitating meetings. The teacher leaders <br /> have also assisted in grant writing opportunities from REF and other sources to <br /> support the academic, social emotional and creative arts needs of the school. The <br /> School Librarian coordinated a school wide challenge to read as part of the Read <br /> Across America program and in Fine Arts area teacher leaders have coordinated, <br /> developed and directed the elementary chorale program and coordinates and <br /> displays the student art work for Artsfest. <br /> Page 12 <br />