As a CCHS graduate and retired educator, I have enjoyed serving on the Cook County Schools’ Academic Team and the Cook County Schools’ Adequate Yearly Progress committee (AYP). It is important for me that Cook County residents understand how impressed I am with the teachers and administration at Cook County Schools.
On September 17, I had the opportunity to observe and interact with members of the Cook County ISD 166 faculty at an all-day workshop. The purpose was to discuss and plan for improved student achievement in mathematics. Faculty representatives from the elementary school, middle school and high school participated. The workshop was skillfully facilitated by Principal Gwen Carman.
Needless to say, after thirtyplus years in education, I have participated in many faculty workshops. Some were highly productive and, sorry to say, others were counterproductive and mind numbing. TheISD 166 faculty workshop was excellent. The faculty were intellectually alert and highly focused from start to finish. Professional commitment to providing an indepth K-12 mathematics program was at a peak level.
This group of professionals discussed and planned teaching strategies that would stimulate students to be actively engaged in the process of conceptualizing the meaning of what they are studying. Thefaculty and administration were clearly committed to do whatever they can to help their students better understand the what, how, and why of mathematical concepts and provide considerable practice to achieve mastery.
The residents, students and parents of Cook County are fortunate to have such a committed group of professionals working within ISD #166.
Bob Pratt
Grand Marais
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