Welcome new 2010-2011 teachers!

Welcome to Taft Middle School! Taft has been a middle level center since 1930 and brings a wealth of tradition and history to the table. Taft has a student population of approximately 800 students who speak 9 different languages and represent a variety of ethnic backgrounds--Truly Taft is a melting pot! Taft has a teacher turnover rate of 1%. While it is hard work, we are more like a family than a staff. We truly look forward to you joining our family!

Student Orientation Assignments

Discipline

Odds & Ends

School Improvement Plan

Our guiding document is the Taft School Improvement Plan. It has a great deal of data regarding the school and identifies key ways we are planning to improve the instructional program at the school. The strategies included are not comprehensive as teachers utilize such a broad range of teaching methods. Title I funds are the source from which the majority of our instructional materials are purchased. Attached is the form used to request purchases. I have set aside funds to purchase items new teachers would like to use in their classrooms, but you need to request them very early in the year. While we are on purchasing, we have a donor that purchases a Walmart gift card of $100 for each teacher. This is basically all that teachers receive to use in their classrooms. The majority of our school budget is used to fund copying (which is unlimited). Additionally, I allow all new teachers to spend $100 at Mardels (or any other vendor of your choice). You may come by the school at any time to get a requisition from Mrs. West our financial secretary. She will give you an overview of purchasing requirements, but remember NO TAX AND GET A RECEIPT (right Sarah Ross). The good thing about using Mardels is that you don’t have to mess with a check. If you want to use another vendor, I will need to know the exact amount of your purchases in order to cut you a check.

Counseling

Taft has two counselors, Debbie Curry and Ashley Kellert. We split the students by teams. Debbie takes care of 6-1, 7-1, and 8-1. Ashley takes care of 6-2, 7-2 and 8-2.
The department handles all enrollments, withdrawals, student scheduling (including schedule changes within the school year) and maintaining student records.

Within our department, we have Jacquetta Davis. She is our registrar. She maintains student records (which include requesting and forwarding student records). She, also, does daily attendance.

The counseling department is in charge of Taft’s peer mediation program. Forms for making a referral are found on Taft’s portal (you will learn more about the portal later).

Our doors are always open to our students and staff. If there is anything we can help you with, any concerns or questions you may have, don’t hesitate to stop by. We will gladly assist you.

Evaluation

There are two types of evaluation in the school setting. The more informal is formative, which are curriculum “walk-throughs” (form attached) and casual classroom visits. The more formal evaluation, summative, is the only thing that is placed in your official file. I have also attached the guidelines for this process. You will each have one evaluator who is responsible for submitting your evaluation to the Board of Education. Additionally, if you are a first-year teacher, you will go through the Teacher Residency Program. Your evaluator, a mentor teacher, and a university representative will all observe you. This observation is for recommendation for you to receive your certification and is not linked to your formal school evaluation. The link for this form is http://www.sde.state.ok.us/Teacher/ResidentTeach/pdf/observations.pdf
Please don’t sweat your evaluation. We do not want to see a dog and pony show and do not expect you to be super teacher your first year. I will give you plenty of head’s up if I am concerned with your teaching before it is formalized in an evaluation.