Not only do the teachers help their students, they also help each other as many of them participate in what is called a “Professional Learning Community” or PLC.

Roger Ried, high school principal, said the main focus of the PLC model is that “teachers learn from each other.”

Several PLCs are in place at Southside High School, including those in vocational, fine arts, English, science, social studies and math.

Members of the math PLC are Fred Denison, Tammy Brown, Paige Meharg, Tabitha Estes and Susan Davis.

Denison, who has been teaching for 15 years at Southside and also coaches softball and volleyball, said the PLC provides a sounding board and a support system for the teachers as well as common planning period for meetings and evaluating data, and allows for additional time for professional development.

Denison served as leader of the math PLC for the first two years; Brown served as leader this year.

“It took some work on the administration’s part to get us a common planning time established,” said Denison, who holds a Bachelor of Science in education degree from Arkansas College (now known as Lyon College) and a master’s degree in education administration from Arkansas State University at Jonesboro. “But as it has evolved, it gets better.

“We meet and discuss subjects and students and look at each other’s teaching strategies,” Denison said. “We bring in articles that pertain to math and share themwith each other. We analyze test scores and test data in order to better help the students take the End of Course test in the spring.”

Denison said the group has a printed agenda for each meeting.

“It provides a good measure of support for us,” Denison said. “All of our classes are within spitting distance of each other so help is nearby if one of us needs it. The other disciplines are spread over the building.

“It’s been helpful,” Denison said. “You don’t feel like you’re on an island all alone.”

Denison said the goal of the PLC is “to help the student be successful in math class.”

Brown, who is in her 19th year of teaching, has been a member of the Southside faculty for three years. She received her undergraduate degree in physical education from Ouachita Baptist University and her master’s degree in physical education from Henderson State University. She is certified in several areas, including math, social studies and physical education and has a coaching endorsement.

Brown said the PLC team teaching method is supported by the Arkansas Leadership Academy, which provided training for the local teachers.

“We’ve all learned from Fred,” Brown said with a smile. “He’s made it easy for us.

“If someone has something that’s working well, they share it. Ms. Davis introduced a new method for algebra I on factoring where we saw an 11 percent increase in average scores on that strand. That was pretty nice.”

Meharg is in her first year of teaching.She has a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in math from Lyon College.

“It’s a different way of teaching,” she said. “We’re right here next door to each other, and if we need something, we’re not afraid to ask. It’s been very successful. It’s been very helpful to me as a first-year teacher. I know there’s always someone I can turn to for problems I might have.”

Estes is serving an internship at Southside High School. She graduates this month from Lyon College with a bachelor of arts degree with a concentration in math and will assume her first teaching job in the fall at the Lead Hill School District in Boone County.

“I’m happy to have been involved in something like this,” Estes said. “I hope the school I’m going to will have a PLC.”

Davis is in her fourth year of teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Science in education degree and a Master of Science degree in math from Arkansas State University at Jonesboro.

“As a team, we work on what we need to do to help the students,” she said. “We feel free to give each other advice and even go into each other’s classrooms to observe.

“We’ve even worked with the middle school math teachers in an attempt to see that our classes are aligned with theirs so the students will be ready for high school.”

Ried said the teachers have made a noticeable difference.

“I’m proud of this group’s focus and willingness to take it to the next level,” Ried said. “There’s been a 180-degree turnaround. I’m really proud of these teachers.”

- crolf@arkansasonline.comat a glance

Misson Statement: Southside School

District is dedicated to providing

students with the skills, knowledge

and attitudes essential for a productive

and purposeful life and creating an

environment so that all learners can

achieve.

Grades: Nine through 12

Enrollment: 450

Certified Staff: 40

Mascot: Southerners

Athletics: Baseball, softball, basketball,

cheer, dance, football, golf, soccer,

tennis, track, cross-country, volleyball

Principal: Roger Ried

Address: 70 Scott Drive, Batesville, AR 72501

Telephone: (870) 251-2662

Web site: http://southside.k12.ar.us

This article was published Thursday, May 15, 2008.

Three Rivers, Pages 56 on 05/15/2008

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