“The Institute is really smart people talking about the way we design and implement curriculum. I started reflecting on all of the classrooms I’ve been in. It made me ask, ‘Do I even know as a leader what should be taught?’”

—Brandy Nelson, Principal, Rocky River High School, NC

“We are equipping students with the tools they need not just to thrive but to flourish in society.”

—Quintin Lewis, Kindergarten Teacher, KIPP DC: Arts & Technology Academy

“Principals might go into a classroom and think they see a standard, but they only see part of it. But they give credit as if the entire standard was taught. And then the data come in, and they try to figure out what’s missing and what went wrong.”

—Marc Etienne, Instructional Leadership Executive Director, Baltimore City Public Schools

"I've been teaching for a while. I'm familiar with the standards. But the focus on the connection between the standards was new. I saw how relating a reading standard and a writing standard could really increase my impact as a teacher."

—Malcolm Andrews, Grade 8 and 9 Teacher, Boston Public Schools

“The Institute is really smart people talking about the way we design and implement curriculum. I started reflecting on all of the classrooms I’ve been in. It made me ask, ‘Do I even know as a leader what should be taught?’”

—Brandy Nelson, Principal, Rocky River High School, NC

“I learned so much from the Standards Institute. Not only did I gain a deeper understanding of the standards myself, I also learned ways to support and coach teachers on ways to ensure effective instruction based on the standards."

—Rachel Garfield, Principal, Aspire Public Schools, CA

“I’ve learned to keep the standard and task rigorous; however, allow the students as a group to scaffold how they may approach the task as opposed to the teacher breaking down all of the little pieces and giving students the road map.”

—Ron Roux , Master Teacher, Springfield, MA

“The presentation on the last day of Standards Institute on the inequity in schools was eye-opening. I am now focused on my reactions to students and parents. I ask myself, ‘is my treatment fair and equitable to every student? Am I showing bias?’”

—Bill Baysinger, Instructional Dean, Lake County Schools, FL