First meeting in Naryn in 2015

The first meeting in this School academic year was organized at 12of September   in Naryn where all teachers –participants of the Outreach project came to Naryn city from different villages.

We shared with the main results and progress of work from the last year and discussed  the new plan for this academic year. Teachers worked in groups and planned the calendar plan, practiced diagnostic tests to use them in their project’s program.

At the meeting all teachers with coordinators could discuss the main rules, rights and responsibilities in the project. The project plan was conducted as the result of discussion with teachers, according to their needs and interests.

In this year we are planning to work with 17 English language teachers, 9 Math teachers , and 6 IT teachers. Teachers will implement their knowledge and skills in the classes and extra class that they will propose for students. 

The main conceptual approaches are directed to make changes in School Improvement and Student achievement in Naryn region. A focus in this year is on English language, Math,and  IT.

The goal of the project is:

To enrich teacher’s knowledge in their subjects; to  improve the quality of teaching; and to  improve student learning by providing meaningful, focused, professional development opportunities for teachers in Naryn region that are aligned with the National Curricula requirements.

This goal is focus on aspects of practice and student learning, including but not limited to:

·         curriculum and assessment development

·         collaborative learning and support

·         leadership skills

·         differentiated instruction

·         community engagement strategies

Objectives:

• Provide an ongoing training for pilot groups of teachers in Naryn region
•  Continue to support the integration of advance technology applications to improve instruction, enhance student engagement and maximize learning in a 21st century classroom
• To organize an ongoing practice through workshops and lessons with students in academic year
• Ensure that all participants of the project effectively use new knowledge and strategies to implement curriculum and best instructional practices.
• Provide mentoring to new teachers in using appropriate teaching strategies; help new teachers to become familiar with expected instructional practices
• Develop school community through the best pedagogical practice; establish good partnership between      schools and Educational agencies.

The purpose of this plan is:

to improve the quality of teaching and learning, and to directly align this plan with our continued commitment to putting students first, professionalism, instructional technology, respect for all, high expectations, learning standards, and shared decision-making.

The scope of professional development in Naryn will not be limited to attending a workshop or participating in a seminar with a visiting expert. Professional development will consistently be an ongoing process that involves sustainable improvement in student learning and instructional practices. This requires evaluation of student performance and teacher self-assessment, identifying possible action, testing new approaches, assessing results and then beginning the process again. Teachers will not be alone; they will cooperate and work with each other in academic year. This is a process of formation the professional community of teachers inside and outside the school. The needs of learners in the twenty-first century demand innovative, progressive, and cutting-edge instruction. Professional development in Naryn region will deepening teachers’ understanding about the teaching and  learning process.

As such, professional development in Naryn region will:

·         reflect a commitment to ongoing and continuous professional development that is based on the analyses of multiple sources of data

·         include sufficient time and follow up support provided to staff to master new content and strategies

·         ensure that content of professional development focuses on what teachers and students need to      know and be able to do and is explicitly linked to the effect on student learning

·         make certain that content of professional development will provide opportunities to gain an understanding of the theory underlying the knowledge (context) and skills being learned

·         provide both a focus on instructional repertoire and content-specific skills. Instructional improvement requires that teachers possess a deeper understanding of both their academic

·         disciplines and of specific pedagogical approaches and methods of teaching

·         impart opportunities to explore, question, and debate in order to integrate new ideas into classroom practice

·         maintain a differentiated and developmental approach to meet individual and district needs relating to the teaching and learning process

·          involve teachers in the identification of what they need to learn and in the development of the learning experiences in which they will be involved.

Action plan proposes:

1. Identify school/ educational goals

• Analyze student achievement data in the last year
• Diagnose areas of student need

2. Plan for implementation

• Outline flexible and integrated professional development strategies and activities that address the needs as identified through school and region goals
• Identify sources to assist with identified needs and goals

3. Implement professional development strategies

• Provide ongoing training for professional development of teachers in different areas;
• Incorporate best practices into teaching and learning

4. Monitor progress

• Keep records of PD implementation, participation and feedback
• Administer feedback surveys and collectively analyze results

Action plan in academic year includes one organizational meeting with teachers; two methodological training; and a round-table/or a conference to share the result of the work in a year.