Croton-Harmon Teachers Work with Tri-State Peers

Croton-Harmon describes a project in which the district’s social studies teachers recently participated in a Tri-State Consortium visit that allowed them to collaborate and learn from educators from across the region.

“Participating in the Tri-State visit was the most profound professional development experience I ever had,” said Erica Hubbard, the curriculum coordinator for the department said in an announcement about the activity. “I was able to investigate teaching and learning from a systems perspective in a very strategic, authentic and meaningful manner. As a visitor to a high- performing district, I was challenged and inspired and I left feeling recharged.”

Hubbard was among the group that participated in the three-day visit, which included coaching from expert facilitators on topics such as analyzing multiple forms of student performance data and developing responses to essential questions. The visit also allowed the teachers to shadow and interview students.

“One of the most meaningful pieces to this process was a structured ‘consultancy,’” said Hubbard. “Members of our team asked specific questions to the panel of stakeholders. The hosting district had opportunities to respond to our questions. Then we had a fishbowl conversation.”

During a recent Croton-Harmon School District Superintendent’s Conference Day, the social studies team worked collaboratively to continue these conversations.

“The experience was valuable because we were challenged in very new ways and had opportunities to investigate and analyze best practices across a school district in a very structured, systematic, supported and collaborative approach,” said Hubbard.

Photo: Croton-Harmon School District social studies educators worked together during a Tri-State Consortium visit and subsequent professional development meetings to analyze forms of student performance data, develop responses to essential questions and review meaningful ways of learning. Photos Courtesy of the Croton-Harmon Schools