Board members also believe academic intervention can reduce discipline problems.
Downey emphasizes student-teacher relationships foster a student’s positive feelings inside and outside the classroom.
Maricopa Wells Middle School is implementing after-school tutoring and Saturday school for students to spend one-on-one time with teachers for additional guidance.
Miller said the goal is to increase those students receiving support and show them someone cares about their learning.
Butterfield Elementary School is becoming an official STEAM school — creating a curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts and math to prepare students for their future careers.
Butterfield Principal Janel Hildick hopes to connect with educators around the world to increase teacher training and provide coaching for her staff.
“It’s an inter-disciplinary approach,” Hildick said. “It’s important to build these STEAM skills at an early age — in pre-K and kindergarten — to set that strong foundation to help students more effectively collaborate, regulate emotions and engage in tasks and projects.”
High-quality professional development will help teachers become more comfortable and provide a strong foundation for rapid acceleration, especially post-pandemic, she added.
“It takes more than just money; it takes people with a vision,” Downey, the Governing Board president, said. “It takes people that are prepared to plan, prepared to work and leadership to implement them.”
Related stories:
- Bringing kindness back to the classroom – InMaricopa
- School Safety: What is the district’s plan? – InMaricopa
- School Safety: What about problems outside of school? – InMaricopa
- School Safety: How is MUSD prioritizing mental health and behavioral development? – InMaricopa
- School Safety: How much has COVID-19 impacted students’ mental health, behavior? – InMaricopa
- School Safety: How is MUSD emphasizing campus safety?
- School Safety: As a parent or teacher, how can you help? – InMaricopa
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