​On Thursday, October 24, 2019, our new teachers to the district conducted learning walkthroughs from 9:00am-2:00pm. Together we visited nine classrooms, collecting anecdotal notes related to standards, practices and relationships- the three pillars of our instructional platform. As a culmination of the learning walkthrough, the team met to debrief and discuss patterns of model teaching techniques across classrooms. The day was an extraordinary display of professionalism and model teaching. Throughout the nine classrooms, we observed a passion for teaching, environments that advance student learning, rigorous instruction, high expectations, and strong student-teacher relationships.

This day is another reminder of how lucky I am to work with such dedicated professionals. 

​North Smithfield Schools has partnered with NE Basecamp to implement a year-long Social Emotional Skills Series professional development. This professional learning series includes deepening educators understanding of social emotional learning, a review of the RI Standards for SEL, exploration of the SEL indicators and the sharing of practical instructional strategies to build SEL skills within current content. Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. Social and Emotional Learning, just like math and reading, is based on certain skills and, also like math and reading, SEL skills can and must be taught.