Moving from READY to AIM

Moving from READY to AIM 

The next step for Tullahoma Schools is to move from READY to AIM.  Preparing to blast off into the 21^st century and empowering kids to THINK, LEAD and SERVE has meant looking back and seeing where we have come from.  Identifying strengths, accomplishments, assets and resources is the launch pad we will lift off from. 

Defining the TARGET

Making operational the TCS Mission to provide challenging and innovative experiences that support each student’s academic, social, and emotional development, while preparing them to live with integrity and a sustained passion for learning, means setting a target date for completion.

There is no way to flip the entire organization upside down all at once. Dynamic change will need to happen over time.  This will be a process, not a lightning bolt. Time is needed to explore, fail, achieve, and reflect. That being said the goal line for Tullahoma City Schools is the graduating class of 2025, now in 6^th grade.  Over the next six years TCS will evolve teaching and learning with the goal that the class of 2025 be the best prepared, most recruited kids on the planet empowered to imagine and create. 

Moving Target

It needs to be realized that actions taken will affect the entire school system and will not just be isolated to the 6^th grade. Understanding that change, which begins this year and operates on a continuum, TCS will need to continue to evolve even when we reach the year 2025.

The desired structure of learning will need to become flexible and nimble.

WILDCAT WELL #4

WILDCAT Roughneck Crew #4 met this past Wednesday.  Nominated by teacher WILDCAT Roughneck Crew #3, teacher WILDCAT Roughneck Crew #4 continued the conversation and reflection on what teaching and learning needs to be.  One of the many takeaways from Roughneck Crew #4 was the consensus that the current system needs to change, but how do we make it happen and get there?

Globally, many are taking about transforming teaching and learning but nobody has figured it out or knows what it looks like!  This is a new frontier.

Two types of change: 1^st order and 2^nd order 

1^st order change is an extension of the past, within the/an existing paradigm, consistent with prevailing norms, incremental, implemented with existing knowledge and skills by experts. 2^nd order change is a break from the past, outside existing paradigms, conflicts with prevailing norms and values, is messy, requires new knowledge and skills, and is implemented by stakeholders.  At TCS we will move to embrace 2^nd order change. 

Thinking differently again

There is a reawakening happening at TCS.  Open source textbooks, deploying Chromebooks 1:1, green screen video production, and innovative instructional practices were accomplishments of the first stage of the rocket.  Design of the second stage of the rocket is now in the works.

Explore New

Each TCS elementary is exploring “new”. Jack T. Farrar is looking at physical space to support learning, seeking what a classroom needs to look like to support 21^st century learning.  Robert E. Lee is sending a TEAM to Freedom Elementary in Harrisburg, South Dakota to see how Freedom has moved from sorting kids by chronological age to ability groups.  East Lincoln is working with Ringbeller creator C. J. Cacciotti to create content focused on relationship building.  Bel-Aire is defining what it looks like to learn virtually with St. James Regional Catholic School in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. East and West Middle School are leveraging Twitter to share in real time the learning and creating going on. From building career and industry partnerships to continuing the tradition of academic excellence, Tullahoma High school is ROCKING!

Momentum for change is building.