Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva has designated John Tyson Elementary School as one of the state's newest schools of innovation.
"It is an honor to be recognized as a School of Innovation," said Dr. Shelly Poage, John Tyson Elementary School principal. "This recognition is only possible through the dedication of our staff and students, as well as our parents and community partners. Together, we work in creative ways to transform our school into a learner-centered environment."
Schools of innovation have the flexibility to explore new and creative alternatives to existing instructional and administrative practices to improve learning for all students, according to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
“This designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, students and community partners. Together, we have created an environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking and a love of learning,” said Ashley Kirby, John Tyson Elementary School assistant principal. “I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our school and the positive impact this designation will have on our students' educational journey.”
Schools have two years to earn the School of Innovation designation after their application is approved, Poage said. JTE earned the designation within one school year.
“Milestones that have helped us achieve this designation include becoming an ‘A’ school, receiving eight Office of Education Policy awards for academic growth and achievement, being recognized by DESE as a School on the Move Toward Success and by the Arkansas School Recognition Program for ranking within the top 5% of schools in the state for student growth and being in the top 6-10% for student achievement,” she said.
Schools of Innovation
Schools of Innovation have three goals, which include:
• Increasing motivation and engagement of students by embedding relevant, rigorous and authentic learning experiences in each classroom, throughout the school and with parent and community partnerships.
• Growing the percentage of students reading on or above grade level and students reaching or exceeding literacy growth expectations.
• Developing students’ capacity to become agentic learners by teaching skills and strategies that maximize learner agency.
“Some of the innovative ways we achieve these goals are through student SMART goal setting, progress monitoring through Tiger Tracker data notebooks, passion projects, TedEd student talks, student-led Tiger Talk podcasting and building agency through our learner qualities of ‘self-aware,’ ‘determined,’ ‘reflect,’ ‘wonder,’ ‘question,’ ‘thinking’ and ‘connect,’” Poage said.
John Tyson Elementary has hosted numerous schools from throughout the state to learn more about highly effective and innovative strategies the school can incorporate to help students grow and achieve at high levels, she said. Poage and Kirby have likewise presented at several conferences to share what they’ve learned with others.
“We continue to be learners and to possess a growth mindset,” Poage said. “Members of our staff visit different schools, attend conferences and read book studies together with the objective of all students reaching or exceeding their growth and achievement goals by providing engaging and enriching learning experiences.”
Education Trailblazers
John Tyson Elementary School was celebrated and honored June 3-5 as a new school of innovation at the 2024 Innovation Rally in Jonesboro, she said.
Kirby and Jessi Walls, Jim D. Rollins School of Innovation second-grade teacher, were also honored as two of four OIE Trailblazer Award recipients at the event. The award recognizes educators for their outstanding contributions to their schools, districts and beyond.
The criteria for the Trailblazer Award includes creating a positive impact on student success, seeking ideas and feedback from multiple stakeholders, inspiring others and being a forward thinker who looks for innovative ways to improve student outcomes, Poage said.
Poage likewise received a Trailblazer Award in June 2023 and was named Arkansas Elementary Principal of the Year and National Distinguished Principal in 2019.
The principal thanked John Tyson Elementary’s staff, students, parents, community partners, the Council of Innovation, the Guiding Coalition, the PTA, SFLP parents and teachers, Student Council leaders and the many others who helped the school set goals, implement an action plan, review its progress and celebrate successes.