Strategies: McKinleyville Middle School
Through collaboration, teachers use a variety of strategies to meet the needs of all the students in their classrooms.
- RTI – 3 Tier Model for Reading
- Differentiated instruction
- Flexible grouping
- Team teaching
- Safety nets
Our
program has made scheduling a real challenge. RSP (resource specialist program) 
students are clustered so that they can be supported by RSP teachers and paraprofessionals. As a result of this program
and its success, our special education numbers have decreased significantly.
However, our district has made a commitment to maintain RSP staffing to ensure that it continues.
An academic support class/study lab is also available to students.
Our
dedicated and progressive staff has participated in various trainings
to create an environment that provides the best educational opportunities
for all students. Recent training includes: Steve Zuieback on effective
system practice, Dr. Richard Curwin on discipline with diginity, and
Nancy Craig on differentiation of instruction. As far as the implementation
of the collaborative integrated model, all the teachers involved have
been trained in Differentiating Instruction based on the principles
of Carol Ann Tomlinson. We also learn an incredible amount from each
other. Every teacher shares his or her area of expertise to empower
the staff. Whenever funding allows, teachers attend workshops and bring
that information back to the staff. We truly use a team approach when
it comes to the education of not only the teaching staff but of our
students.
Throughout the past 8 years the majority of our staff has been involved in either team teaching with a special education teacher and/or collaboration with lessons and materials.