TAUNTON — Superintendent John Cabral is pleased to announce the Taunton Public Schools hosted Partners for Educational Leadership recently to highlight the district’s innovative work being conducted within its schools.
Executive Director of Partners for Educational Leadership Richard Lemons visited Taunton High School, John F. Parker Middle School and Elizabeth Pole Elementary School on Friday, April 29, to see the compelling work done throughout the Taunton school community.
Partners for Educational Leadership was recommended to visit the district by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Senior Associate Commissioner Heather Peske to see first-hand the district’s accelerated learning plan that was put together in response to COVID-19.
During his visit, Lemons had the opportunity to speak with Superintendent Cabral, Taunton High School Principal Scott Holcomb and his leadership team, Parker Middle School Principal Michael Byron and Pole Elementary School Principal AnaBela Jones. He also spoke with coaches, department heads and students as he visited classrooms.
Lemons also had the opportunity to sit in on classrooms with curricula that feature evidence-based, high-quality instructional materials, including classrooms using the district’s new OpenSciEd Program. The OpenSciEd program is a student-focused curriculum that helps teachers guide students to solve problems through questioning, modeling, investigations and examining evidence through structured routines.
As part of his visit, Lemons was provided with a better understanding of the improvement agenda for Taunton Public Schools and the importance of how curricular materials can support teachers and change the learning experience in classrooms.
“It was a joy to visit the district to talk with educators about their compelling work and listen to students describe their learning experiences in classrooms,” Director Lemons said. “We leave emboldened by the urgent need to ensure that powerful learning experiences are available to each and every student on all days in the school calendar. Thank you to the students, teachers, and administrators of Taunton. Keep up the good work. We hope to come visit again soon.”
Taunton Public Schools is recognized as a “School on the Rise” for its adaptation and continuation of innovative practices that impact both student achievement and best practices by faculty.
“I’m thrilled that experts in our field recognize the hard work of our students, staff and administrators,” Superintendent Cabral said. “I would like to commend Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Chris Baratta and his team for leading and supporting this work. I also appreciate the support we have received from Commissioner Jeffrey Riley and our Statewide System of Support Team as we continue to make transformational changes throughout our school system that will position our students for future success.”
Additional representatives from Partners for Educational Leadership are scheduled to visit the district at a later date.
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