Eric JensenBased On My Research and Experience With Over 200 Title 1 Schools; Here is What I Would Do:

Every school leader has a choice. You can go for a “One and done” single day PD and hope for a miracle or you can get serious and come up with a full, multi-year plan.

The plan may take up to 2-5 years to implement. But you will need a better way to foster change than simply hoping for it.

1. LEADERSHIP GETS ON BOARD

First, the leader (and key staff) at your school should attend “Game Changers” which is for leadership and change. You can find it at: http://www.jensenlearning.com/game-changers/ After all, if the school leader (or key staff) is not on board with the rest of the PDs offered, the process may have difficulties. Dr. Jensen can do this on-site, too.

PREPARE THE STAFF
Next, before you ask me to make miracles happen with your staff, remember to start SLOW and finish “long.” Prepare the staff and follow up should be any of those items above such as:

  1. book study: I have written multiple books on poverty (ASCD or Amazon)
  2. professional learning communities are a must
  3. weekly emails from you and team visits
  4. teachers blogging about the strategies they use
  5. have short weekly staff meetings with quick sharing and celebrations

The main thing is to prep the staff for my PD. The best time of the year is summer or early Fall. Late in the school year PDs have diminishing returns.

2. STAFF ON BOARD: The “Poverty Change Event”
2-days w/ Dr. Eric Jensen. Our absolute best for you:

DAY #1: CONTENT with Poverty in Mind

This original and special event (by the best-selling author of four books on poverty) gives you the overview of a high-energy, classroom tested, research-based model to erase the academic effects of poverty. First, you’ll learn the science of how students from poverty are often different. Learn specific actionable strategies that target the gap. You get evidence that every

student’s brain can change. Plus, you will learn how to break the pattern of failure and how to

help turn struggling students into high achieving, motivated learners. You get evidence that both teachers and entire schools can increase student achievement among the poor. Finally, you’ll learn 5 clear action steps you can use to intervene in positive, practical way that every teacher can use immediately to improve student achievement.

DAY #2:  CHANGE with Poverty In Mind

The second day is all about implementation in your classroom and school. First, you’ll learn why most professional development has been unsuccessful in working with students from poverty. Then you’ll learn the 6 secret obstacles to school change. THIS WILL BE MIND-BOGGLING. Then, you’ll learn how to build the 3 most powerful change systems at your school. Next, you’ll learn how to create an unstoppable positive school climate for change. Finally, you’ll develop a plan you can live and succeed with. Work with your team, celebrate another great day of learning and head back to school ready to go!

Considering the dynamic, research-based Dr. Jensen? Please email Diane at diane@jensenlearning.com or call to speak with her at (808) 552-0110 after 9am PDT. Thank you.

If Dr. Jensen is not available for the dates you want, PLEASE ask for a referral. Dr. Jensen has trained others for over 10 years and you can get highly qualified trainers that will do a fabulous job. We only work with highly qualified presenters who have “been there and done that” with schools like yours. Your only challenge is planning far ahead to get the dates you want.

3. YOUR “BIG 7” FOLLOW-UP IS CRITICAL

Now, what counts is the follow-up work. Building a high-performing staff is a continual process. Here are some of key areas you may want to look hard at for either 1) starting with your staff or 2) fostering better effectiveness.

Each of the processes below have high effect sizes for gains in student achievement. You may want to have local staff developers do any of the following to strengthen your school’s change process.

Here are the “Big 7” changes to make.

checkBuilding High Performing Teams
There is a HUGE difference between having professional learning communities and having high performance teams. Unless your teams are superb, you have little change of change.

checkOngoing Formative Assessment
Staff must tie the curriculum standards with classroom coaching. This program helps staff laser in on what matters most: student achievement.

checkFostering School Culture
Bring out the sleeping greatness. Foster a school identity; use gaudy goals, narratives, communications, strong teacher support and feedback, upbeat presence and student interactions.

checkBuilding Cognitive skills
Teach reading, reasoning, WM & LT memory, vocabulary and content-specific study skills). This is the second greatest area for building student achievement. Teaching students how to learn.

checkFostering a Better Classroom Culture
Build relationships, engagement, hope, mindset, rituals, positivity, better behaviors). Better classroom climate fosters better learning and attitudes.

checkRelevant, Constant Engagement
Teach 20 simple ones every staff can use in every subject area. Every staff should engage students every 9 min. or less every single day. Greater engagement leads to better learning.

checkBuilding Student and Staff Attitudes
Build better mindsets, with celebrations, optimism, personal responsibility & hope. This is what makes the classroom more fun and the learning skyrocket.

Again, if you can use our professional development services, please email Diane at diane@jensenlearning.com or call to speak with her or leave a phone message at (808) 552-0110. We will both be able to guide you to the best decisions, even if they don’t include our work. Thank you.
Eric
Eric Jensen

Free Brain Based Learning Strategies for Teachers

“I was devastated when our three days together ended.  I’ve never attended such an inspiring, researched-based, positive, and common sense approach for working with my students from poverty.  My teachers can feel my enthusiasm and we cannot wait to get started on Monday!  You are awesome!”
-Melodie McClarren

“The workshop was extremely informative and engaging. As we learned about the brain, Eric Jensen used engaging activities, including real people stories, teamwork, reflection, movement and music. The day flew by and energized my entire team to be better teachers.”
-Leanne Wallace