Mundelein Elementary School District 75 is dedicated to a vision that will guide our schools towards excellence and exemplary education. This vision, with direction from the Board of Educationwas created by our extended educational community which included parents, teachers, administrators, and members of the community.
In order to transform these ideals into a reality of excellence for our schools, we need a clear sense of goals, to embrace well defined characteristics of what the schools are to become, and to be dedicated to attaining the standards contained in our district’s vision of excellence.
This vision for excellence and exemplary education is based on a learner-centered approach. This concept is at the center of our perceptions of excellence in the areas of the teaching and learning process, staff development, curriculum, assessment, parent and community involvement, climate, governance, leadership and time and learning.
This direction-setting document was assembled during a two-year process with the assistance of over 100 educational stakeholders with guidance from the dedicated individuals on the District Advisory Research Team.
Students
In exemplary schools, the student is at the center of the vision. A school of excellence prepares students to be life-long learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers and responsible citizens. Exemplary schools are assessed on the conduct, character and achievement of their students. Our vision includes students:
accepting responsibility for their learning, decisions and actions,
developing skills to become self-directed learners,
setting challenging goals and engaging in self-assessment,
respecting themselves and the rights of others,
learning how to become effective team members,
participating in decision-making opportunities,
engaging in meaningful problem solving experiences,
actively participating in extra-curricular activities,
committing their best effort and taking pride in their achievements,
accepting and appreciating the differences in people,
being truthful and honest to themselves and others,
demonstrating compassion and graciousness towards others,
demonstrating generosity and a willingness to help others and one’s community.
Teaching and Learning
In exemplary schools, the teaching and learning process is central to the vision. This vision of excellence embraces best practices and enables all members of our learning community to be engaged in meaningful and challenging experiences and opportunities. These opportunities equip all individuals to ethically and responsibly embrace complex problems and societal issues. Our vision for teaching and learning includes:
high standards for teaching and learning being set and attainment expected,
providing adequate time for learning, collaboration and self-reflection,
expanding the role of the teacher to include that of facilitator, mediator and resource for learning,
learning activities that are global, collaborative, integrated, real world and hands-on,
opportunities to learn in diverse ways according to individual needs,
the creation of a learning environment that is caring and supportive and a climate that encourages self-expression and risk-taking,
attention to emotional development such as initiative, persistence and responsibility,
ongoing communication and interaction that occurs throughout the learning community,
celebrating and acknowledging student success and achievement.
Teachers
In exemplary schools, the Board of Education and administration are committed to hiring and retaining individuals with exceptional expertise in their respective roles. Our vision for teachers includes:
demonstrating their support and commitment to the school/district’s vision, beliefs and values,
having high expectations for students and working individually and collaboratively to create conditions that promote student success,
a mentoring program that supports proficient and distinguished teacher performance,
knowing, following and implementing the curriculum,
engaging in collaborative curriculum planning and decision making, focusing on continuity across grade levels and subject areas,
utilizing a variety of strategies that foster engaged learning to enhance student learning and success,
understanding and using effective assessment tools and skills,
a concern for the individual needs, intelligences, learning styles and interests,
classroom management skills which optimize learning, effectively use time, promote positive self-worth and emphasize full participation,
instructional techniques which foster higher order thinking skills and creative problem solving,
recognizing and celebrating teacher successes.
Curriculum
In exemplary schools the curriculum engages the staff and students and prepares them for future challenges. Our vision of excellence in curriculum is to provide a unified, district-wide educational plan that enables all students to reach their potential. Our vision includes:
a rigorous curriculum guided by specific, clearly stated and challenging goals,
a consistent scope and sequence that is aligned to standards between grades and subjects. Teachers understand the relationship of their teaching to the rest of the curriculum,
a meaningful curriculum that allows students to know what they are learning, why they are learning it and when they have learned it,
the integration of technology to engage students in their learning and provide them with the skills needed to accomplish this now and in the future,
the development of a sense of social responsibility in students so they become aware of their obligations as a citizen,
an awareness and sensitivity to diversity in our community. Students develop a sense of pride in their own heritage and respect for others,
fostering the skills of reflection so students are able to think critically, creatively and positively,
a holistic curriculum that recognizes, nurtures, and differentiates for all type of human intelligence.
Parent Involvement
In exemplary schools, parents are acknowledged as the child’s first teacher. Our vision for excellence encourages total parent and family involvement in creating a positive learning environment both at home and school. Educators, parents and students work as a team to support all students in reaching their full potential. When parents are actively involved, student achievement and development are enhanced and enriched. Our vision for parents includes:
parenting that makes education a priority, engages the family in out-of-school educational experiences, communicates with their child about school and provides a positive, nurturing and caring home environment for optimal growth and learning,
communicating with the school in a meaningful, active and responsible manner,
participating in the school in a way that attends to the school’s needs, respects the parent’s interests and time, and enhances the child’s learning,
supporting education by emphasizing, demonstrating and valuing life-long learning,
participating in discussions and decision-making processes that affect children, families and the quality of schooling,
collaborating with the community and utilizing its resources in a way that will enhance student learning.
Climate
In exemplary schools, staff, students and parents care for, respect and trust each other. There is a common purpose, a sense of belonging, cohesiveness and pride in the school and district. Morale is high and social and academic growth are continuous. Our vision for climate includes:
a caring atmosphere that permeates the school in which feelings, concerns and conflicts receive fair and consistent attention,
a caring ethic which promotes compassion, kindness, respect for differences and a genuine interest in each other,
a welcoming environment in which parents and teachers work cooperatively for student and school progress,
a genuine respect for each other and a high level of trust throughout the learning community,
a learning community committed to a common mission and purpose,
a sense of pride in the school building,
a balance between school-based decisions and individual autonomy,
opportunities to develop teacher leaders,
acknowledgement and celebration of special contributions and achievements of others,
staff members as positive role models,
an emphasis on responsible citizenship which includes student leadership activities,
student achievement/success as the priority,
celebrating learning with attractive displays of quality student work,
a culture in which everyone believes that all children will learn and are committed to ensuring their success.
Assessment
In exemplary schools, assessment is a balanced, seamless and ongoing process that focuses on what students need to know and be able to do. The assessment system provides direction for continuous improvement, effective teaching and learning and the establishment of a positive school environment. Our vision of assessment includes:
an ongoing monitoring process for every student’s learning, both formal and informal,
bias free assessments that are aligned with the articulated curriculum and actual instruction,
assessment strategies which are varied and include traditional, authentic and performance-based, peer and self-evaluation,
the provision of ongoing professional development for needed skills in designing, administering and scoring alternative assessments: as well as evaluating the quality of assessment methods and data,
assessment of school climate and its effect on student performance,
using assessment results to evaluate programs and target areas for improvement,
communicating with and educating parents, students and the community about the necessity for accountability through the use of a varied and balanced system of national, state, local and classroom assessments,
the concept that assessments are a preparation for life and therefore should include performances and products,
early identification of children with special learning needs and ongoing reevaluation of all performance data,
involving students in designing, using and establishing criteria for assessment,
establishing procedures for collecting, summarizing and reporting student assessment information to share with the community giving special priority to goals and objectives.
Time and Learning
In exemplary schools, it is the quality of educational time that is the critical determinant of how much students will learn. Effective use of time is an important variable in student learning when combined with good school and classroom management as well as effective instruction. Our vision of time and learning includes:
maximizing academic learning time within the school day through classroom time management and the use of research based instructional strategies to increase engaged learning time,
finding creative and flexible ways of using time by providing school calendars and schedules to maximize the amount of quality learning time for all students,
providing organizational options such as additional time at the early ages, extension of hours at the beginning grades, enrichment programs and differing age level configurations that would allow students to master learning at their own pace and appropriate level of difficulty,
creating flexible ways of using time to provide professional development for improving effective use of class time and quality of instruction in order to increase academic learning time for all students,
facilitating effective use of time outside the school day that will enhance student learning opportunities.
Community Involvement
In exemplary schools, the school community recognizes the importance of effective communication and productive working relationships with the larger community including parents, residents, senior citizens, businesses, governmental agencies, civic, religious, cultural, and volunteer groups; and other educational systems. Our vision of excellence in community relationships encompasses a unified district-wide plan that develops a sense of ownership and pride in the district and all parts of the community. Our vision for community involvement includes:
effective two-way communication that provides information and seeks feedback from the community,
opportunities to support and reinforce the value of learning for all students by demonstrating the relevance of learning beyond the school walls and preparing students to become life-long learners,
opportunities to reinforce the value of citizenship and community service that encourage positive relationships with the local and global communities,
sharing the responsibility in providing resources needed to ensure a quality education for all students while holding the school and community accountable in meeting the mutual goal of preparing students to be productive citizens and life-long learners,
the community participating in the life of the school by attending events, volunteering, and contributing to processes designed to enhance the schools.
Professional Development
In exemplary schools, teachers and administrators are life-long learners engaged in pursuing professional growth. The purpose of professional development is to engage the staff in implementing effective instructional practices that improve the quality of learning and life for students. Professional development is an essential and indispensable process that embraces continuous improvement through providing thoughtfully designed learning opportunities. Our vision includes:
an ongoing effort that provides for all educators to improve their knowledge and skills as lifelong learners,
improving the quality of learning and achievement for students as the guiding force,
a meaningful blend of identified needs at the district, site and personal levels,
a process for identifying effective research-based instructional practices and an ongoing plan to maintain this effort,
a model that emphasizes critical self-reflection and development of new understandings to enhance instruction,
continuing support during the application, implementation and mastery of new practices,
encouragement and support for research studies dealing directly with current classroom issues,
encouragement and support for collaborative studies and investigations,
stable annual funding for core components.
Leadership
In exemplary schools, leadership embraces shared decision-making, positive support, a culture of inquiry, and an ethic of caring. Shared leadership enables all members of the learning community to become skilled participants and strategic leaders. This leadership emerges as individuals learn together and orchestrate constructive change toward a shared vision. Effective leaders promote the success of all students. Our leadership vision includes: facilitating the development, articulation and implementation of a shared vision of learning,
acting as positive role models for the children and the community,
understanding the change process and the dynamics of change. Leaders are facilitators of meaningful change based upon knowledge of best practices that ensure student achievement,
advocating and sustaining an educational culture conducive to student learning and staff professional growth,
facilitating the establishment of a curriculum framework that provides direction for teaching and learning and is in alignment with the district’s mission as well as district, state and national standards,
improving the schools’ programs and services by using assessment that involves many constituents,
improving the schools’ programs and services by using assessment that is based on data analysis and involves input from and reporting to various stakeholders,
recognizing a variety of ideas, values and cultures along with the importance of diversity,
being an enthusiastic and energetic supporter of effective school improvement efforts.
