Owensboro Ind. educators "drive" for greater sharing on teaching, learning throughout district, between schools; part of Rank 1 principal certification cohort

Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, May 25, 2017

OPS moves forward with cross-district collaboration with DRIVE
By Bobbie Hayse

In an effort to better communicate ideas across schools within the Owensboro Public Schools system, the district's teachers have created a professional learning group -- Developing Relationships and Inspiring Visionary Educators.

This group was created in an effort to foster fellowship between teachers who don't often have the opportunity to communicate and share ideas throughout the school day. DRIVE's goal is to help educators "inspire and empower" each other to improve teaching and learning in their classrooms, according to the district.

A group of teachers in the Western Kentucky University cohort to earn their Rank 1 principal certification came up with the idea after realizing they didn't have much communication across the OPS district and between schools, especially during the school day.

Krista Thompson, a Sutton Elementary School teacher, said that it's often difficult to share "your best ideas" with teachers from other schools and grade levels.

"DRIVE OPS will help solve that challenge," she said. "It will create opportunities for teachers to better master their craft."

Matthew Constant, OPS chief academic officer, said the this idea merged well with Superintendent Nick Brake's vision of moving forward and building stronger collaboration with teachers in each of the district schools, and when the first four teachers came forward to suggest the group, the district was eager to provide support.

"Those four people decided on their own that this was a need," he said.

There was an application process that included recommendations from supervisors for teachers to be accepted. District administrators specifically chose educators from all content areas, grade levels and from each school in order to have a clear representation of the entire district.

DRIVE will meet once a month, Constant said, with the first meeting scheduled for July.