Etowah Earns National Recognition For Raising Student Achievement

WOODSTOCK-TOWNE LAKE, GA - From Cherokee County School District: The school, led by Principal Robert Horn, has earned the Model Professional Learning Community at Work honor from Solution Tree, one of only 200 schools and districts in the nation – and the only school in Georgia -- to do so.

The Cherokee County School District uses the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) model in all of its schools to encourage collaboration, the sharing of data and best practices, and professional development among teachers, who are grouped by subject area and/or grade level of instruction.

“We believe in empowering our teachers to share their knowledge and experiences to develop solutions for improving teaching and learning,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “Professional Learning Communities are an important part of our multi-year Instructional Framework initiative to significantly enhance how we educate students, measure success, identify challenges and collaborate on solutions. Congratulations to all of the Etowah High School teachers and staff who are succeeding in this endeavor and earning national recognition for their hard work.”

Solution Tree, a top provider of educational strategies and tools, selects honorees using criteria including evidence a school has effectively used these practices for at least three years and that those efforts have resulted in improved teaching and learning.

“Honorees show a sustained commitment to helping all of their students achieve at high levels,” according to Solution Tree. “They have been willing to alter the structure and culture of the organization to reflect their commitment. We applaud them and congratulate them for achieving this very significant milestone on the never-ending PLC journey.”

Photo: Etowah High School Principal Robert Horn. Credit: CCSD