Summer's out for teachers

COEUR d'ALENE - As the school year rapidly approaches, Coeur d'Alene School District Board Chair Christa Hazel acknowledged that some staff members could be in mourning.

"But as a parent I'm not," Hazel said, prompting the packed Lake City High School gym to erupt in laughter.

Hazel was among several officials who spoke to more than 500 Coeur d'Alene School District employees gathered at the high school Thursday morning for the annual Back to School Breakfast. The district's approximately 1,200 employees were given the opportunity to attend the event, which signals the start of the new school year.

"It's a great opportunity to get everyone together in one room," said Superintendent Matt Handelman. "There aren't any other times during the year that we do this. Everyone is invited and we get to make sure everyone is starting the school year on the same page."

After staff finished a breakfast provided by Mountain West Bank, they funneled into the high-school's gym. Handelman began the presentation by introducing key members of the district staff, as well as discussing the history of the district's strategic direction.

"A direction gives you a point that you're aiming at and we want to make sure everyone in this room is pointed in the same direction," Handelman said.

Following his introductory remarks, Handelman addressed two of this year's strategic focus areas. There are five focus areas in total:

* Safe, Supportive and Vibrant Learning Environments

* High Expectations for All

* Quality Teachers and Instruction

* Individualization

* Family and Community Engagement

The word 'expectation' is a strong one, Handelman said, and implies that the district knows each child has the ability to learn and grow throughout the school year.

District staff members, he added, are also expected to improve their skills to help every student excel.

The superintendent also addressed the individualization focus area, telling staff that being supportive and asking questions ensures each student reaches expectations.

"Getting feedback from folks in the community helps us improve," Handelman said. "Praise is good, but advice is even more important."

Hazel was then introduced by Handelman, and discussed the importance of having a unified vision on the district's direction.

"Without it, we lose our edge as educational leaders in Idaho because any victories we achieve are just happenstance," she said.

The board chair then addressed the focus area of family and community engagement, stating that a recent survey found more than 40 percent of parents wish they could be more involved in their child's education. She encouraged teachers to engage parents via social media, adding that it can be accomplished while still maintaining the professionalism they are known for in the community.

"A school that strives for parent engagement should lead with its ears," Hazel said. "The goal is not to gain clients, but to gain partners."

Derek Kohles, president of the Coeur d'Alene Education Association, spoke to staff members about the 'quality teachers' focal point.

"I'm here to talk to you about quality teaching and I'm preaching to the choir because you already do it," he said. "We are employees of the best district in the state of Idaho and that is amazing to me."

Kohles stressed the importance of teaching as a profession, calling it the most important role someone can play in a child's education. He then challenged the teachers in the gym to be good enough for each and every student that walks into their classrooms next week.

"If we're not educating all of us," Kohles said, "we're not helping any of us."