Interviews
River Bend Middle School was established in 2017 and is in its third school year. I interviewed key people throughout the building regarding RBMS’s greatest assets, greatest accomplishments, greatest challenges, most misunderstood items, and what they enjoy most about the role they play at the Bend. Everyone had similar responses, which was nice to hear and shows that staff members have similar experiences and opinions about what is occuring around the school. Those interviewed were the principal, the three assistant principals, the guidance technician, the bookkeeper, the lead secretary, the sixth grade counselor, a literacy coach, a sixth grade English language arts teacher, a seventh grade social studies teacher, an eighth grade science teacher, an eighth grade math teacher, an eighth grade special education teacher, a small group of sixth grade girls, a seventh grade girl, an eighth grade boy, and a parent of a seventh grade girl.
There were three main topics for River Bend’s greatest asset: relationships, dedication, and diversity. Throughout the answers, stakeholders were proud of how well staff has built relationships with students, other staff, and with parents. They also commented on teachers’ dedication to work hard for students and to support others in the building. Lastly, interviewees commented on how the diversity of the staff and student population is an asset to the school because it allows for multiple points of view and experiences in order to help prepare students for a changing world, which is mentioned in River Bend’s vision statement.
Everyone answered the second question regarding River Bend’s greatest accomplishments with a focus around a positive working environment and building relationships between staff, students, and the community. It was great to hear everyone talk about how River Bend has developed such a positive culture in only two school years. This is the main reason why I really wanted RBMS to be my residency placement. I wanted to learn and experience how to create and maintain a positive school culture.
The two main challenges that the majority of interviewees stated were increasing rigor in instruction and the student population. No one stated these challenges as negatives, but more as barriers to overcome. Everyone had a growth mindset that although bridging relationships with alignment will be tough at first but it can be done. Also, although they believe our population may have its challenges, it was focusing more that our students have more areas to grow in and it may take more effort and strategies from the teachers but again, it can be done.
The most misunderstood items about River Bend are test scores and the student demographics. Our test scores that past two years have rated us as D school; however, students are still making growth and staff believes we are capable of much more. Our tests scores are not representing the learning and engagement that is occurring at River Bend. I am hoping this school year with our focus on alignment that we are able to bridge the gap between positive relationships and academic rigor. Also, outsiders view our students as a tough demographic that cannot learn, which is so far from accurate. River Bend’s stakeholders believe and understand that our students are capable of learning and succeeding, and although some students are two or more grade levels behind, our population is still able to be successful.
Lastly, everyone said interacting with staff and students and getting to know each other as the one thing they enjoy most about their role at River Bend. For the first two years of RBMS, the focus has been on relationships. The stakeholders have achieved this and love this about RBMS. I am excited to see the results of tying alignment into our relationship foundation to see if our test scores will then reflect the great learning happening at the Bend.
There were three main topics for River Bend’s greatest asset: relationships, dedication, and diversity. Throughout the answers, stakeholders were proud of how well staff has built relationships with students, other staff, and with parents. They also commented on teachers’ dedication to work hard for students and to support others in the building. Lastly, interviewees commented on how the diversity of the staff and student population is an asset to the school because it allows for multiple points of view and experiences in order to help prepare students for a changing world, which is mentioned in River Bend’s vision statement.
Everyone answered the second question regarding River Bend’s greatest accomplishments with a focus around a positive working environment and building relationships between staff, students, and the community. It was great to hear everyone talk about how River Bend has developed such a positive culture in only two school years. This is the main reason why I really wanted RBMS to be my residency placement. I wanted to learn and experience how to create and maintain a positive school culture.
The two main challenges that the majority of interviewees stated were increasing rigor in instruction and the student population. No one stated these challenges as negatives, but more as barriers to overcome. Everyone had a growth mindset that although bridging relationships with alignment will be tough at first but it can be done. Also, although they believe our population may have its challenges, it was focusing more that our students have more areas to grow in and it may take more effort and strategies from the teachers but again, it can be done.
The most misunderstood items about River Bend are test scores and the student demographics. Our test scores that past two years have rated us as D school; however, students are still making growth and staff believes we are capable of much more. Our tests scores are not representing the learning and engagement that is occurring at River Bend. I am hoping this school year with our focus on alignment that we are able to bridge the gap between positive relationships and academic rigor. Also, outsiders view our students as a tough demographic that cannot learn, which is so far from accurate. River Bend’s stakeholders believe and understand that our students are capable of learning and succeeding, and although some students are two or more grade levels behind, our population is still able to be successful.
Lastly, everyone said interacting with staff and students and getting to know each other as the one thing they enjoy most about their role at River Bend. For the first two years of RBMS, the focus has been on relationships. The stakeholders have achieved this and love this about RBMS. I am excited to see the results of tying alignment into our relationship foundation to see if our test scores will then reflect the great learning happening at the Bend.