Dear Willard Families,

As we are wrapping up this school year, we are also looking forward to next year. We are very grateful to the School Board for their approval adding Instructional Specialists to District 90 who will help us to fulfill the mission of District 90. As a district we have embarked on a year-long study on Advanced Differentiated Learning (ADL). As a result of that study, we are looking to create job embedded professional development opportunities to support learners at all levels, including those performing at the gifted and talented levels across our classrooms. The Instructional Specialist role is intended to help us accomplish this. We are hoping you can join us tomorrow evening, May 15 at 7 p.m. when the Superintendent's Leadership Council (SLC) will share the outcomes of their study and recommended next steps. This parent information night will be held in the Roosevelt auditorium.

Given the addition of this position, it is the time of year when we are busy recruiting and hiring those people who will join our learning community adding to the quality group of professionals we put before your children each day. It is important that as parents you understand the intensity and commitment with which we approach the teacher selection process.

Do teachers really matter?  Research suggests that curriculum, class size, district funding, family and community involvement, along with many other school related factors all contribute to school improvement and student achievement.  However, the single most influential school-based factor is the teacher.  

What is an effective teacher? Research offers a variety of descriptors in trying to define the effective teacher.  Given research and experience, we do know that effective teachers possess certain characteristics. Over my past eleven years in administration, I have interviewed hundreds of teacher candidates.  As I have shared insights with other administrators and teachers as to what we look for in an "effective teacher", it is clear that it begins with the individual's purpose for teaching, ability to build relationships, knowledge of instruction and the ability to engage our children.  In an attempt to find excellence, District 90 and Willard School utilize an intensive selection process that allows us to identify those qualities of an effective teacher.

The interview process begins with an on-line screening tool that helps to sort the qualities of the candidates.  We examine the candidates' transcripts and resumes looking for strong academic achievement and related experiences.  The next step involves a screening interview that gives us the opportunity to measure the candidates' responses against a standard of excellence, followed by a building level interview. Specifically, we look for teachers that are committed to helping children to learn and grow.  In the course of the discussion, we look for opportunities that demonstrate the ability to create a supportive, orderly and productive learning environment. Finalists are identified and passed along to the Superintendent for a final meeting.

Once the individual is offered a position, our work just begins as we continuously supervise and support the development of our new hires. If we do our job of selecting and further developing effective teachers, then Willard continues to be more than just a wonderful building, it remains a school of excellence.