Editor’s note: To read a long-form story with profiles of all 15 2014-2015 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!
PS 166M – THE RICHARD RODGERS SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY
PRINCIPAL: DEBRA MASTRIANO
K-5
132 West 89th Street
ps166.org
AWARD: OUTSTANDING GRADE SCHOOL
Describe your school’s core educational philosophy.
Our core educational philosophy is to shape a vision of academic success for all students based on high standards. We aim to cultivate leadership in our teachers so that they can be an active part of the instructional process. We believe in frequent professional learning opportunities that will increase educator effectiveness for all teachers, and in turn, our students… We want students and staff alike to approach each day with a growth mindset, ready to take on new challenges, and to learn and grow.
Tell us about a few of the school’s achievements or distinguishing programs.
We are a Teachers College Reading and Writing Project School. As a TCRWP school, we ensure that we are meeting Common Core Learning Standards across all grades, and that students are writing and reading in range of genres. Our teachers engage in data-driven instruction that targets students’ specific strengths, and growth areas. In math, teachers are provided with weekly staff development to grow their conceptual understanding of the Common Core Math Standards and Common Core Shifts.
What’s new?
We are really excited about our Math Centers! In grades K-5, students are engaged in Early Childhood Assessment of Mathematics centers. Teachers use an assessment to identify students’ independent level in several math topics. Once their level is determined, students engage in math centers to practice the skill that they need work on so they can move to the next level. Students play games to help them practice, and teachers confer with students giving feedback.
What do you love about your school?
I love that I have a committed faculty. They have risen to the challenges of learning a new curriculum in both English language arts and math so as to meet the needs of our students, and the rigor of the Common Core Learning Standards. We enrich their lives of our students daily through meaningful curriculum… Walking into classrooms and viewing the great work students are doing daily is one of the joys of this job. It is amazing to see firsthand the quality of instruction that goes on in classroom, and to interact with students in an academic setting. Our students are so insightful, and speaking with them always brightens my day.
