Annually in August, the Closing the Achievement Gap Consortium provides an orientation for new faculty joining member school organizations. Prior to the start of the school year, the CAGC new teacher event provides an opportunity for staff members to learn and grow together in preparation for students returning to the classroom.
While the topics change from year to year, there are always common “core” themes:
- The “Why” - why do we need a consortium to address equity
- Understanding our moral imperative
- Understanding our own privilege and bias as educators
- Valuing and supporting diversity
- The power of positive relationships
Below is a list of the sessions for the 2023 CAGC NTO. Read session descriptions here.
- Goal Getters: Student Reflection, Self-Assessing, and Goal-Setting in the Reader's Workshop - Presented by: Amanda Marks, Glendale-River Hills School District
- Getting off the Stage: Pathways to Equitable Student Voice - Presented by: Sara Kramer, Glendale-River Hills School District
- Improv in the Classroom - Presented by: Kathryn Traber, Maple-Dale Indian Hill School District
- Building Relationships in Diverse Classrooms - Presented by: Grace Kroeger, Glendale-River Hills School District
- Teaching Practices for Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics" - Presented by: Katie Kuehl, Maple-Dale Indian Hill School District
- Responding to Diversity in the Classroom - Presented by: Kristie Otto, St. Francis School District
- How We Show Up Matters - Presented by: Yolanda Jackson, Kenosha Unified School District
- Empowering Minds, Embracing Diversity: Building an Inclusive Learning Community for Equitable Education - Presented by: Anna Adl, School District of Cudahy
The CAGC New Teacher Orientation (NTO) not only provides real-world equity application scenarios for all new teachers, it also helps to build solidarity and camaraderie among the participants and provides a core understanding in all participants from all participating member districts. The work of bringing equity to each of our buildings and classrooms is extremely hard.
Despite our best intentions, our current educational system continues to produce uneven student achievement results creating an achievement gap. The achievement gap will not simply go away. To eliminate the achievement gap, true transformational change will need to occur. The CAGC NTO helps to provide focused, deliberate strategies that will help launch that process for the staff new to our districts.
Wednesday, August 16 or Wednesday, August 23, 2023 *
1:00 - 1:30 p.m. - Opening Remarks 1:40 - 2:25 p.m. - Choice Session 1
2:35 - 3:25 p.m. - Choice Session 2
3:30 - 4:00 p.m. - Closing - Led by district leaders
* Both events are identical to allow organizations to pick that date that will work best
We encourage you to participate in the CAGC NTO and help us realize the vision of equitable learning environments for ALL!
While meeting in person does enhance the ability for the development of relationships, the CAGC has seen a dramatic increase in attendance over the last two years offering a virtual format. In an effort to maximize the participation of all member institutions, we will continue a virtual format for this event. District leaders can make their own arrangements to close out the day with their team.
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