Thursday, December 12, 2024
Teachers from each of the three schools in the Valley Stream 24 School District recently came together with district administrators for an engaging training session led by Ray McNulty, President of the Successful Practices Network and former State of Vermont Commissioner of Education. This professional development workshop marks an important step in the district’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to foster a forward-thinking, 21st-century learning environment that equips students with essential skills for the future. During the session, staff worked alongside McNulty to explore and refine the district’s Vision 2030 statement, identify foundational cornerstones, and begin brainstorming pilots for innovative teaching strategies.
“As we implement Vision 2030 and progress toward our district’s future-focused goals, we are thrilled to have our teachers actively contributing to and enriching our shared vision,” said Superintendent Unal Karakas. “Our Board of Education dedicated significant effort over the summer to shape this vision, and now, our teachers and administrators are advancing it with pilot programs. We are grateful to Ray McNulty and the Successful Practices Network for their role in supporting our district’s journey toward educational innovation.”
The Vision 2030 statement articulates the district’s commitment: “In 2030, Valley Stream 24 schools, in partnership with the community, will be vibrant learning systems where educators design, develop, and cultivate environments that support the holistic growth of every child, empowering learners to thrive as innovative, digitally literate, and emotionally intelligent individuals.”
Key areas of focus for Vision 2030 include fostering essential 21st Century knowledge and skills, promoting relationships and team-based learning, encouraging real-world connections through community partnerships, supporting social-emotional learning and mental health, and nurturing creativity, holistic thinking, and adaptive leadership. Through this initiative, students will develop skills in technology and augmented intelligence as they approach subjects such as communication, literacy, mathematics, digital media, and data analysis. They will gain a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives, engage in social-emotional learning, cultivate curiosity-driven problem-solving, and apply their knowledge to build meaningful relationships within their community and beyond.
The Successful Practices Network, an education nonprofit, supports educators nationwide by offering professional learning and coaching. SPN addresses a range of educational challenges, including the impact of artificial intelligence on learning, career and technical training, attendance, and more. Through its partnership with SPN, Valley Stream 24 is positioning itself on the cutting edge of educational practices nationwide.
