Lead Teacher position makes a difference in Agawam schools

April 15, 2019 | Stephanie Trombley
stephanie@thereminder.com

Karen Albano
Reminding Publishing submitted photo

AGAWAM – As an elementary lead teacher at Phelps Elementary School and Robinson Park Elementary School in Agawam for the past eight months, Karen Albano’s role of providing academic, social and emotional support shows in a variety of ways.

With the position of elementary lead teacher being new to the town of Agawam, Reminder Publishing spoke with Albano to find out what the goals in her role are and what a typical work day looks like as an elementary lead teacher.

“A typical day in the work life of an elementary lead teacher might include meeting with students to discuss how to make safer choices at recess, setting up MCAS test sessions in the online platform, attending a PBIS meeting to discuss and plan supports based on behavior data from the past month, and conducting an internet safety tutorial from Common Sense Media on Digital Citizenship with grade three and four students,” Albano explained.

PBIS stands for “Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.” In brief, PBIS initiatives seek to reduce antisocial behavior, substance abuse and aggressive behavior in the school setting. PBIS promotes academic engagement and improvement of safety and behaviors in schools.

Albano began her career with Agawam Public Schools as an eighth grade social studies teacher and Common Core facilitator for 11 years. Albano accepted the role of elementary lead teacher in Sept. 2018.

Albano said she has implemented a number of initiatives since Sept. 2018 that support the role of elementary lead teacher.     “Since September, I have worked on a variety of tasks related to the three strands of the Agawam Public Schools strategic plan including student engagement, student supports and technology. Beyond supporting elementary age students as they learn to navigate the social, emotional and behavioral expectations of the school environment, I have worked on the analysis and sharing of MCAS data, tutorials, and practice tests to strategically improve academic achievement, assisted in the development of inclusive practices and activities for all students, and collaborated extensively with staff and administration to plan and support school-wide initiatives related to student success in and outside of the classroom,” Albano said.

Each day, Albano helps to implement new strategies that will help improve the development of Agawam elementary students and assists them with their overall wellbeing as students. For example, Albano has been involved in the implementation of Wellness Days, days where students and faculty complete less-academic tasks such as a card games and cupcake decorating.

Albano also works alongside school faculty to help educators understand new ways of teaching. For example, Albano created a “break-out room” for a faculty meeting where faculty was given a variety of tasks to complete. This is similar to popular escape rooms. When used in the classroom, students may be given a number of educational tasks to complete in order to win.

“The role of the elementary lead teacher within the Agawam Public Schools is to provide academic and social and emotional support for all students. While the responsibilities of the lead teacher are varied, at the end of the day, we are strategically focused on helping students be successful in terms of both their academic and social/emotional growth,” Albano shared.

Albano said that she has enjoyed being in the role of elementary lead teacher. “Similar to my experience as a teacher, I enjoy that each day as a lead teacher is different than the last. I appreciate the opportunity to work with Agawam students, who are bright and eager to learn. I am encouraged by the positive impact we have observed with student behavior data, as students are learning not only how to be good students, but also good people,” Albano said.

As Albano quickly approaches one year in the lead teacher position, she said she hopes to continue to work alongside faculty on a number of initiatives. “I would like to continue supporting staff, students and administration in my role as a lead teacher. We have plans to expand upon some of our initiatives such as Inclusive Schools Week, Wellness Days and the development of a PBIS Educator Manual. Each of these initiatives is focused on providing a well-rounded education for students in order to best support them as they move forward in their lives and academic experience,” Albano said.

Albano said she is confident that the work she has done as elementary lead teacher, alongside faculty of Agawam Public Schools, will benefit Agawam students. “I am confident that by establishing a solid foundation for elementary students, we have the opportunity to send them off to the middle school and beyond, better prepared to thrive,” Albano shared.

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