Mancos School District/Cortez[?]
11.8.2017
The Superintendent admits he is hungover—celebrating the passing of the bond that will finance a major renovation of the school campus.
Brian Hanson:
30 years
10 years here as Supt.
Retire or stay to see construction? That was the vote…
Bond was passed at a 3:1 majority.
668:253
last bond passed in 1992
In rural schools you are more than just a teacher. “multi-generation ranching” community
3 alt licensure teachers. His son is teaching science and shop. Environmental science degree.
“You’ll never have a better family.” “unicorns & rainbows”
“These kids will do anything for you” if respect/love
B. talks about teaching 8 sections a day of “Math A” in AZ
Planning six times and teaching once v. planning once and teaching the same thing 8 times
Mastery Connect—CMS? Just assessment? Seems to work better than School Vault
everyone must come up with an elective
The Performance Center is the old gym. “two glaring needs” for improvement are the athletic fields and the performance center.
BEST grant: “let’s fix everything”25 million. Originally to be a 53/47% split, but he filed an appeal for a waiver and it’s closer to 80/20. Mancos puts up the 20.
BEST: general fund, marijuana money, lottery money: 174 million given out this year.
Adam Priestley:
Norwood born. Went back for 2 years. 2 years off (taking care of his mother.) Sped teacher: Master’s in Sped.
5 years SPED, then principal.
Terminate Trivial Testing: TTT
- What is success to you?
- What don’t you like in education?
The idea of teaching exemplars: work with the best. Define the best.
6th grade first talk of careers
This is what I’m going to do.
This is how I’m going to do it.
“Money talks to a teenager.”
“We want the right test in front of kids.”
Average score ACT: 22
They do “Take Ten”
Tour:
The Registrar here gets people money! That’s a cool thing. Money for college scholarships.
They have to keep the face of the original building (thank goodness)
Admits to problems
Child study team
Talks about what keeps him awake. [A good question we could ask, to cut through the possible puffery: “What keeps you up at night?”
Cathy Epps is doing her Peer Coaching Workshop on December 1.
Speaking with Alys Hanson, art teacher. TAB: Teaching for Artistic Behavior.
Engaging Learners Thorugh Art Making.
Having language of an artist.
How are you inspired?
Sources of Inspiration
There are no notes from the Cortez visit because I misplaced my notebook.
Perhaps a good thing, as I got lost, got my times mixed up, etc.
Highlight: Brittany Lang’s enduring positivity.
Odd: the school-within-a-school for the kids of “motivated parents”.