Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Teacher Feature: James Hutchins, Jr.
Using LEAP to Improve Instruction for Students 
James Hutchins, Jr. teaches math at Northfield High School on the Paul Sandoval Campus.
James Hutchins, Jr., is a fairly new teacher in DPS. He has worked at DPS for two-and-a-half years and is wrapping up his first year at Northfield High School as a ninth-grade math teacher, a job he loves.

James decided he wanted to be a teacher while working with students in an after-school program during college. 

"Math was my favorite subject, and I knew it was something I wanted to use and continue doing," he said. Coming out of high school, James received a football scholarship and decided to major in math; his first teaching job out of college was at a private high school in Southern California.

Since coming to work at DPS, James has heard varied perceptions from his fellow teachers about LEAP (Leading Effective Academic Practice), the growth and performance system for teachers. While learning a new framework has not been simple, James pointed out that his instruction has benefited from using it.

"LEAP has been a positive experience for me. I equate it to playing sports; I want to be aware of where I am as a teacher. It is like a competition within myself, a self-reflection for me and it challenges me to be better," he said. "I feel like I need to perform every day regardless of who is coming in to observe me, and it is really benefiting my students."

James first learned about LEAP at the new educator induction event where he saw a brief overview of the LEAP framework. He decided to opt-in for a peer observer. "I decided to sign up for a peer observer and was assigned Travis Glatthar, who has been amazing. He showed me how one indicator can impact the others and helped me understand how it fits into instruction and can really benefit the students."


ICYMI: School Board Reviews Feedback, Resources for Proposed ECE-3 Discipline Reform Policy Change
On Monday, the Denver Board of Education  reviewed feedback on its resolution to reserve out-of-school suspensions in grades ECE-3 for only the most severe behaviors impacting student or staff safety and to eliminate the use of expulsion in these grades, except as required by state law. District staff reported input was gathered during the past six months from  562 participants and numerous key community partners, including:
  • 240 teachers, 109 school leaders and 88 families
  • Denver Classroom Teachers Association, University of Denver and University of Colorado-Denver 
  • Padres y Jovenes Unidos, Advocacy Denver and Superintendent's African-American Roundtable
The board was also presented an outline of the top resources requested by ECE-3 teachers, schools and parents. W e encourage teachers to become familiar with and use the current supports available as board members consider the new policy:
  • The Whole Child Deployment Platform.
  • Whole Child Resource Bank.
  • Consult with your school's Whole Child Supports team to provide individual student support.
  • Consult with your Office of Social and Emotional Learning partner for professional learning, coaching, and modeling as well as behavior planning support.
  • Consult with your special education partner for individualized education programs, intervention, coaching, modeling and behavior support.
We will continue to reach out to our teachers to fine-tune what supports you need -- especially for individual school communities. R ead the full presentation and proposed policy changes  here . The board is scheduled to vote on these changes in June. 

For additional questions, please email  [email protected] .
Please Take the Talent Management Survey; Win $500 in Supplies for Your School
On Monday, all teachers, specialized service providers and school leaders received a personal link to the end-of-year Talent Management survey. The survey asks for your important feedback on the LEAP (Leading Effective Academic Practice) growth and performance system, Teacher Leadership & Collaboration and other related topics. The survey will be open through May 26.

Your time and candid thoughts are greatly appreciated! Please note that feedback is confidential and not shared in an identifiable manner. Results are only shared in aggregate at the school level when at least five teachers have responded.

We are also increasing the survey prizes: The nine schools (three small, three medium and three large) with the highest response rates will each receive $500 in school supplies. If you can't find your survey link, please contact [email protected].
Share Your Voice at the African-American Equity Task Force Community Meeting
DPS and the Board of Education commissioned the African-American Equity Task Force to create a recommended set of actions, efforts and resources needed to address factors contributing to the Opportunity Gap for our African-American students and educators.

DPS educators and the Denver community are invited to a public meeting for an opportunity to review and respond to these recommendations. Join us from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, May 24 at Bruce Randolph School, 3955 Steele St., as we move forward in creating a more equitable and inclusive future at DPS.  RSVP online or email [email protected] with questions.
Save the Date: Schoology Day Aug. 19
Are you considering using Schoology, DPS' new Learning
Management System for district- managed schools, to support and enhance instruction in your classroom? Schoology can help you manage instructional content, encourage student participation, as well as access curriculum and professional learning opportunities. Come get a 360° view of Schoology and learn more about how to use Schoology in your classroom! Schoology Day is an open house event designed to provide a hands-on learning experience for DPS educators to explore, collaborate and practice using Schoology. Walk away with t he skills you need to be ready to use Schoology on the first day of school. Schoology Day will be from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Aug. 19. Watch a video to learn why Schoology Day is a great opportunity for you! For more information about Schoology at DPS, view the Schoology FAQs .
Teacher Leadership & Collaboration

Team Specialists -- Register for Required Summer Professional Learning on June 6 and 7
All new-to-role and returning team specialists register here for your required summer professional learning on June 6 and 7. During that time, you will have an opportunity to engage in an activity modeling distributive leadership, learn from your peers, hear best practices to plan for your team specialist role, and develop your leadership skills to support data-driven instruction and student learning objectives. Register today.

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Note: We send many DPS communications via this platform. Please do not unsubscribe from these messages or you will not receive future and important messages. If a specific message doesn't interest you, simply delete it and stay tuned for a future communication that will be of more interest. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].