Woodlawn Recognition Shines District-Wide
It gives me great pleasure to share the news with District 96 families that Woodlawn Middle School is the recipient of the 2018 DuFour Award.
This national annual award honoring the memory and work of the late Dr. Richard DuFour to help every student succeed is without precedent in School District 96. It’s the third time this award has been presented and Woodlawn is the first middle school ever to receive it.
Dr. DuFour was a teacher, principal, Stevenson High School superintendent, widely read author, and an international speaker. This humbling recognition for our ongoing work pioneered so passionately by him to equip educators to improve outcomes for every child is deeply appreciated.
Indeed, each and every applicant was impressive: To qualify to apply, schools must already have met the rigorous standards required to be recognized on AllThingsPLC. Applications were submitted by schools across the United States, Canada, and Australia. After several rounds of review by multiple readers, it was determined that–as a model Professional Learning Community (PLC)–Woodlawn Middle School exemplifies the practices that lead to exceptional achievement levels for all students.
It’s important to note that every school in District 96 also is recognized on AllThingsPLC. As you know, each of our schools has hosted visitors from across the United States, Canada, and Australia who request to observe our staff at work. This recognition is, in fact, humbling and inspiring acknowledgment of the deeply embedded collaborative culture that distinguishes all KCSD96 schools and our unwavering commitment to doing what’s best for kids–a fact that Woodlawn Principal Greg Grana emphasized in his acceptance comments.
On Feb. 22 at the National PLC Summit in front of over 2000 attendees, Woodlawn was announced as the 2018 winner.
I cannot overstate my pleasure and pride in serving in District 96, where our teachers and leaders continue to inspire educators across the nation and nurture our students who grow and thrive as they learn in our classrooms!
– Julie Schmidt, District 96 Superintendent of Schools