PEAK Performers

You may recall, from some of my earlier writings in this space, that we at Fremont schools are constantly mining our best thinking to create innovative learning programs that will prepare our children for a 21st Century world.

Everything we do, as a school system and as learning professionals, springs from the deep awareness that we exist for the benefit of our students. This is the foundation of our core values.

Today I want to highlight one of our core values - that learning is enhanced when instruction is based on quality research and best practice information with the focus on what is best for all students.

Last summer eight of our staff, from the middle school, high school and Quest, participated in “PEAK” training - Performance Excellence for All Kids - over five days at Reeths-Puffer schools. They were joined by teachers from throughout the Midwest.

They went to absorb high-energy best practices on how to teach more effectively for today’s students, and tomorrow’s needs. PEAK is about totally effective instruction that is supported by research over time. It is about the best way to not only engage students, but to enhance their learning.

PEAK compiles the best practices from many theories on how to motivate students, how we teach, and how students learn, how to keep kids engaged, and, ultimately, how to tap higher level thinking skills.

Teachers are shown the most effective ways to establish a positive culture for learning, to manage a classroom, and to check students’ understanding and learning.

We are monitoring now our teachers’ progress with their new teaching and learning skills. They meet monthly to discuss strategies and assess their classrooms’ progress; it takes time and planning to incorporate this new methodology into their daily lessons.

The training and supplies last summer were funded entirely from a federal grant. A second federal grant, for this summer’s program, has been approved for 12 teachers and administrators. Our goal is to continue the process each year until each of us at Fremont schools is performing at our PEAK.

These are steps each of us can take to build an exceptional educational experience for our children.

John D. Kingsnorth
Superintendent
Fremont Public Schools
(231) 924-2350
jkingsnorth@fremont.net