Our Journey with Expeditionary Learning
Anser Charter School is now in its 16th year of implementing the Expeditionary Learning model. We started as a group of parents and educators that wanted more for children in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. As this visionary group began writing their mission and vision down, the Expeditionary Learning model was brought to their attention. As the two missions were laid side by side, the similarities led to a partnership that launched our learning community on our Expeditionary Learning journey.
Celebration of Learning
Our Expeditionary Learning story is represented by our students and how they present themselves and their work.
Expeditionary Learning Implementation Review 2013-2014
Anser Mentor Classes
Supporting Staff through a Mentoring Model
Beginning in 2013, Anser designed a new way of supporting teachers - new to Expeditionary Learning and those who were experienced in this pedagogy. We developed classes that would take time to unpack the Core Practices of Expeditionary Learning and the culture of Anser.
Depending on the need of the school year, we teach learning targets, student led conferences, standards based reporting, report card prep, assessment, portfolios, exemplary models, critique protocols, feedback, EL Commons, and Celebrations of Learning.
This 2014-2015 school year we are focusing on book studies. We are working through Ron Berger's books, The Culture of Quality and The Ethic of Excellence this fall. In the Spring of 2015, we will be discussing Leaders of Their Own Learning. Our objective for this class is to bring experienced teachers together with teachers who are newer to the practice and open up honest dialogue and support. A recent learning target for our Mentor Class: “I can actively participate in a conversation with my colleagues about an ethic of excellence and what this means at Anser.”
Because Expeditionary Learning is the foundation of how we do school, we have developed a plan to support staff through a mentoring model which allows staff to be teachers of teachers.
Depending on the need of the school year, we teach learning targets, student led conferences, standards based reporting, report card prep, assessment, portfolios, exemplary models, critique protocols, feedback, EL Commons, and Celebrations of Learning.
This 2014-2015 school year we are focusing on book studies. We are working through Ron Berger's books, The Culture of Quality and The Ethic of Excellence this fall. In the Spring of 2015, we will be discussing Leaders of Their Own Learning. Our objective for this class is to bring experienced teachers together with teachers who are newer to the practice and open up honest dialogue and support. A recent learning target for our Mentor Class: “I can actively participate in a conversation with my colleagues about an ethic of excellence and what this means at Anser.”
Because Expeditionary Learning is the foundation of how we do school, we have developed a plan to support staff through a mentoring model which allows staff to be teachers of teachers.
Letter from School Designer, David DenHartog
Anser Spring 2014 EL Implementation Review | |
File Size: | 653 kb |
File Type: |
EL Implementation Review 2014_ average_ratings_by_role-anser.pdf | |
File Size: | 136 kb |
File Type: |
Curriculum Report BSD 12-13 | |
File Size: | 1899 kb |
File Type: |
Anser Charter School Expeditionary Learning Credentialing Portfolio Created by: Heather Banuelos and Michelle Dunstan