1. Helping Students at a Middle College High School to Graduate on Time Earl Santymire Williamson County Middle College High School earls@wcs.edu

2. Today’s Agenda Introduction How do students arrive at MCHS What do we do at MCHS? What I do in the classroom Conclusion

3. Introduction Last one standing Location Looking ahead Video “Katie”

4. How They Arrive Public County Schools Private schools Home schools Application Interview Provide own transportation No lunch room

5. What Do We Do? Make the student feel comfortable and needed – Respect each student first – Get to know the student – Monitor the student in positive ways Goal – Take the student where they are and move them upward

6. My Goal For You Improvement Status Quo Decline We succeed We fail

7. New Mission Statement The mission of Middle College High School is to ignite students’ purpose and foster personal growth. Through authentic learning experiences, personal relationships with teachers and peers, and a customized curriculum aligned to their unique talents and interests, students then launch themselves on a trajectory towards learning, passion, and service.

8. The First Week Changes by new administration Concentration on studies Establishing relationships in Focus Groups

9. Focus Groups Heart of our school Get to know the students Focus teacher is the advocate for their students One on one day each week – Grades – Attendance – Personal – School Group activities Service activities

10. Completing the Work Learning vs. deadlines Homework Presentations Group work Capstone PBL’s Restricted lunch

11. What I Do If learning does not take place then teaching does not take place Deserve my best No one has the right to be bored Integrate technology All minor assignments must be proficient Add humor: motto Okay to be human Be available

12. Conclusion We don’t have all the answers Our students feel safe Our students know they come first Our students make changes without knowing it