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Mission

• Clarity of purpose should be the goal of any mission statement. Our mission gives focus to the question, “Why do we exist?” “Learning” is the primary purpose of a school district that functions as a professional learning community.

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Rejected Mission Statements

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Rejected…

• At Coal Mtn we engineer innovative education while using inquiry-centered curriculum to mesh cross-curricular learning and optimize site-based enrichment. Students become life-long learners as they engage student-centered outcomes while meshing standards-based teaching.

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Other Rejections

• Kicking Butt, Taking Names

• No Behind Left on Your Child

• Stop Whining and Learn

• It’s all fun and games ‘til somebody falls off the monkey bars.

• Still ahead of Missisippi.

• Get’er done!

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Mission Statements

Ineffective• Are vague and

generic• Say all kids can learn• Fail to define learning

goal

Effective• Are clear• Are specific about

standard of learning• Cite measurable

standard of success (national norms)

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Sustaining Success

1. Display the mission statement • Web site• Press releases• Letterhead

1. Cite mission statement as a guide during meetings

2. Teacher leaders use during meetings3. Inform new staff 4. Respond to failure to act in accordance

Group Activity - Microlab

• Microlab is a protocol designed to ensure equal participation within a group discussion with rounds of sharing that are timed by a facilitator. This routine helps participants to become better listeners and learn how to make connections with others’ ideas.

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Microlab Questions

• Current Mission Statement1. Do you believe the current mission statement should be revised or completely redesigned? Why?

• To Be Included in New Mission Statement• 1. What do we do? What is our purpose?• 2. How do we do it? Whom do we do it for?

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