Guest column by Lonnie Moser
Superintendent, Hiawatha Schools USD 415
I’m not sure there is a better season than autumn. The fall colors in Hiawatha, known as the city of beautiful maples, is a sight to behold, and schools are fully engaged in their purpose.
As we near the end of our first quarter of the school year, I pose the following question to you: Is teaching an art or a science?
With that question in mind, I’ll update you on what our teachers in USD 415 have been up to. In addition to new faces and programs in our district, our educators started the school year with a renewed focus on instruction. The focus began in earnest last spring, as our teachers and administrators engaged in professional learning aimed at instructional excellence and teaching for impact.
Since then, our educators have continued learning about High Impact Instructional Practices and Strategies (HIIPS). These are evidence-based teaching practices proven to positively impact student learning and achievement.
Our teachers are developing their craft by focusing their planning and instruction on research-based strategies. This work and learning will continue throughout the year with structured professional development, ample practice, and feedback opportunities as well as opportunities for measurement and reflection.
So, is teaching an art or a science?
Teaching is really both – and even more. The art is in relationships, connections, and care. The science is in our own learning and skill development. When you meld the two, you have a craft. Teaching is a craft. And our educators are working to master their craft.
