Teachers Tackle Intervention Programs at Comprehensive Training
By Theresa Schmidt
Do you ever wonder why your children are off school on seemingly random days with no
apparent holiday? It’s because teachers need learning days, too. Linda Pickett, a special
education teacher at Columbia High School, explained, “We all have to change our instruction
every year depending on what engages the kids. We have to adapt, we have to accommodate, we
have to learn.”
On Friday, Jan. 14, teachers from across Clinton County gathered at Central High School
in Breese to motivate, share and educate each other on what is working—and what is not
working—in their schools. Organized by Albers Elementary School Superintendent Sharon
Harms, this year’s conference focused on Response to Intervention (RtI) programs, which are
state-mandated intervention programs designed to identify and assist at-risk students. According
to the Illinois State Board of Education website, districts were required to submit RtI program
plans by January 2009 before full implementation became mandatory in the 2010-2011 school
year.
The conference covered a wide variety of intervention topics for different grades ranging
from preschool to high school, all of which received rave reviews from the teachers in
attendance. Social Studies teacher Becky Campbell from Albers Elementary School was
particularly impressed with Kim Henke’s presentation “Research Based Reading Interventions
for All Core Subjects,” stating, “It is always enjoyable for me to be able to spend the afternoon
with my peers. The sessions that were offered were on great topics. The student-led guided
reading session provided great ideas and methods for improving literacy in our schools.”
Penny Angeli, a fifth grade teacher at Albers Elementary School, thoroughly enjoyed
Kathi Rhodus’ presentation entitled “Five Interventions: Vocabulary, note-taking, processing
strategy, think-pair-share-write and exit cards/door passes.” Angeli noted, “It was very
informative and the presenter offered practical and relevant information that can be used
immediately in the classroom.”
Harms has found most teachers had similar reactions to the conference. She commented,
“I thought it was wonderful. I’ve had a lot of very positive comments, not only from
administrators but from speakers and Clinton County teachers. I personally feel that all the
teachers who went to it came back excited. Excited about learning something new. Get them
some simple things that they can take back and feel like they made a difference immediately.”
While implementation of a Response to Intervention program is mandatory, the state does
allow school districts some flexibility in experimenting with what types of programs are most
effective at a particular school. Perhaps the day’s most interesting presentation was a questionand-answer style Interventions Panel featuring teachers, superintendents and psychiatrists from
area schools with successful or unique RtI initiatives. From the ZAP (Zeros Aren’t Permitted)
policy at Columbia schools to Salem High School’s credit-based recovery program, these
teachers are thinking outside-of-the-box to keep kids involved and interested in education.
Jennifer Garrison, Superintendent of Sandoval School District, stated, “I think you have to look
at where you’re at and what’s working.” Hattie Doyle, Curriculum Coordinator at Waterloo
School District, agreed, “Are we engaging our kids in the right way or do we have a lot of
downtime?”
Pat Hellmann, a school psychologist for the Kaskaskia Special Education District, was
pleased with the experience, “It went well; it was very positive. I think that the information
sharing among colleagues is wonderful, very beneficial. Overall, the teachers are learning.”
And where the teachers are learning, the students are sure to be as well.
For more information about Illinois’ Response to Intervention initiative, visit
www.isbe.net/RtI_plan or contact your local school district.