Moton Elementary School - Brooksville, Florida

Moton Elementary School, part of the Modern Red family since 2001-2002, is located in Brooksville, Florida and serves more than 650 students from pre-K through 5^th grade. Early MRSH training sessions in all schools included examining the change process and formulating a vision for the school. While most sites seek improvement and accept change as a necessary by-product, the teachers and administrators at Moton embraced change as a desirable element in their determination to re-make the school's image and improve its record of performance.

Historically Low Morale
Three years ago, Moton teachers and students suffered from many ailments. There was a large staff turnover every year, student performance was discouraging, and teachers felt they had no control over a bad situation.

Their reputation in the community and morale in the building were at all-time lows. So what happened?

Focus on Standards
Academically, they shifted from a school with a curriculum determined by the instructional programs or textbooks adopted by the district to one with a curriculum based on Florida state standards. Being allowed to write their own instructional plans gave the teachers a sense of ownership that had been missing. Principal Donnie Moen speaks strongly about their commitment to teaching all children what they need. "I think we know what the standards are. Our standards are the basis for what we do, not the textbook."

"We Can Make a Difference."
Sue Hegedus, lead teacher and MRSH Facilitator at Moton last year, worked to instigate team learning at the site. One day each week every staff member attends a mini staff development training session held during teachers' planning periods. The topics vary and may be proposed by individual teachers or brought up by the Leadership Team. Sessions sometimes consist of panel discussions of a pre-determined topic, a group book study, a resource speaker, an in-house presentation, or a video series.

The staff is very focused on student achievement, effective instructional practices, and ways to differentiate instruction in Moton's very diverse student population. 63% of their students qualify for free and reduced lunches and over 30% are in the Exceptional Student Education program, some severely physically or mentally handicapped.

Teachers have learned that they can make a difference in the educational environment and academic progress of their students. In the present climate, they know their voice will be heard. The sense of empowerment resulting from collaboration among teachers, administrators, and MRSH trainers has directly impacted their morale. The consensus at Moton is, "Our students are engaged in learning, and our teachers feel responsible for every child in the building, not just the ones in their own classrooms. And the parents? They are now glad to have their kids here." The results speak for themselves. Moton Elementary School is now the 3^rd highest performing school in the county and is recognized by Florida as an "A" school!

October 2003