Nationally known educator visits Byron-Bergen schools

Nationally known educator Dr. Mike Schmoker of Flagstaff, Arizona was the keynote speaker at School Improvement Day for faculty members of the Byron-Bergen and Oakfield-Alabama Central School District.

Schmoker is the author of three books and numerous articles. His book, Results: The Key to Continuous School Improvement, is in its second edition.

Teachers from Byron-Bergen and Oakfield-Alabama heard Schmoker speak on the topic of "First Things First: Big 'Levers' for Creating the Best Schools We've Ever Had." Schmoker recommends that schools replace "improvement planning" with a focus on improving teaching through learning communities, that districts ensure a "guaranteed curriculum" and that teachers demystify leadership and institute a research and development mentality by becoming educational leaders and researchers.