Breaking the Barrier: Implementing an Innovative Vision Against the Odds By Dr. Ruben Alejandro Weslaco ISD Superintendent
Apr 01, 2015
Breaking the Barrier: Implementing an Innovative
Vision Against the OddsBy
Dr. Ruben AlejandroWeslaco ISD Superintendent
Overview21st Century Skills
Why are 21st Century Skill Critical?
20th Century vs. 21st Century
Demographics
Vision
Initiatives
Recognitions
Future
Why?
CreateP
rob
lem
-Solv
ing
Access
Media-Literacy
Adapt
Info
rmati
on
Lit
era
cy
Com
mu
nic
ati
on
Innovation
Global Awareness
Interactive-Communication
Leadership Social-Skills
Team
work
Higher-Order ThinkingInte
rpers
on
al S
kills
Self-DirectedTechnological Literacy
Collaboration
Socia
l R
esp
on
sib
ilit
y
Civic Responsibility
Self-Expression
21st CenturySkills
Self-Expression
PersonalResponsibility
Relevance
Econ
om
ic L
itera
cy Inventive
Thinking
Infl
uen
ce
Inte
rpre
t
Meaning
Multicultural
Literacy
Evaluate
Fle
xib
ilit
y
20th Century vs.
21st Century
20th Century vs. 21st Century Classroom
20th Century vs. 21st Century Teacher
Teacher Centered
Content Knowledge
Classroom Manageme
nt
Ditto/Copy Machine
Overhead Projector
Blogs
PLC/PLN
Community
Curriculum
Wikis
Multimedia
Resources E-
Learning Platforms
Required Skills for the 21st Century
Educator
Student Centere
d
Required Skills for the 20th Century
Educator
DemographicsWeslaco ISD is located in Hidalgo County in deep South Texas, just a few miles from the Rio Grande
River and a 45 minute drive from the Gulf of Mexico.
Mexico
United States
Gulf o
f M
exic
o
Demographics Hidalgo County has a 35% poverty rate which is one of the highest
poverty rates in the nation with the national average at 14.5% (2013). Hidalgo County’s unemployment rate of 9.6% is high when
compared to the national average at 7.4% (2013).
Our diversity has shaped our district’s vision of looking at The Whole Child, The Whole World, The Whole Universe.
The city of Weslaco has a diverse community with many immigrants, professionals, Spanish-speaking families, and affluent families. Weslaco ISD has nearly 18,000 students of which: 98.2% are Hispanic 85.7% are Economically Disadvantaged 57.4% are classified as At-Risk 26.6% are classified as English Language Learners 10.2% are classified as Migrant 8.2% are classified as Special Ed 4% are classified as Mobile
VISION
“WISD students are empowered 21st century learners with effective communication, critical-thinking, and problem solving skills they can adapt for success in higher education and the diverse global market-place. Students are engaged in learning through real-world opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and the school day. All WISD staff members are committed to facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity;
designing and developing digital-age learning experiences; and modeling digital-age work, citizenship, and responsible learning byengaging in
continuous professional growth
and leadership.”
Leadership CommitteesStudent Advisory Committee
One representative per campusMeet once a month
Parental Advisory CommitteeOne representative per campusMeet once a month
Teacher Advisory CommitteeOne representative per campusMeet once a month
BYOD InitiativeBring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Cell phonesTabletsLaptopsOther devices
Transition to 21st Century
Instructional Technology Initiative
Google Apps for Education (GAFE)
Digital Storytelling
Project Based Learning (PBL)
Flipped/Blended Learning
E-learning Platforms (24/7 learning)Google ClassroomMoodleEdmodo
Professional Development Initiative
Professional Development on technologyAdministrators
Book Study 21st Century Skills Change the Culture, Change the Game Creating Innovators The Leader in Me
TeachersCounselors LibrariansVision Team
Professional Development Initiative
Professional Development on technologySupport Staff
ParaprofessionalsCustodial DepartmentEnergy Management DepartmentWarehouse DepartmentMaintenance DepartmentSafety & Security DepartmentFood Services DepartmentTransportation Department
Tech Day InitiativeDistrict staff provided training on
digital integration in the instructional processClassroom usePersonal useApps for Apple, Android, & ChromeGoogle Apps for EducationFlipped/Blended LearningProject Based LearningDigital Storytelling
Tech Night InitiativeStudents showcase to parents how they use technology as an instructional support to make real world connections through engaged personalized learning in the classroom.
Weslaco Reads InitiativeMyOn Zero to 3 Weslaco Reads
31 Day Cares3 Hidalgo County Head StartPublic LibraryKnapp Medical Center
Pediatrics Obstetrics and Gynecology
RecognitionsDistrict Showcased by News Media
ABC affiliate KRGV-TV Channel 5CBS affiliate KGBT-TV Channel 4NBC affiliate KVEO-TV Channel 23Telemundo affiliate KTLM Channel 40District cable channel, KWES
RecognitionsDistrict Recognized by Political
FiguresBYOD district initiative
Texas gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General, visited Weslaco ISD in March 2014
Mr. Abbott visited Sam Houston Elementary where he witnessed our initiative in place
Mr. Abbott’s visit was featured on all local networks
Mr. Abbott’s visit was mentioned at the ATPE’s Annual Conference
Mr. Abbott mentioned his visit at the TASB Annual Conference what he observed at Weslaco ISD
RecognitionsDistrict Recognized by
Political FiguresBYOD district initiative
Filemon Vela, U.S. Congressman- Texas 34th Congressional District Representative, visited Weslaco ISD in March 2013
Mr. Vela visited F.D. Roosevelt Elementary and Central Middle School where he witnessed our initiative in place
Mr. Vela’s visit was featured on all local networks
RecognitionsDistrict Recognized by
Political Figures BYOD district initiative
Michael L. Williams, Texas Commissioner of Education, and Ruben Cortez, Jr., State Board of Education Member District 2, visited Weslaco ISD in May 2014
Mr. Williams and Mr. Cortez toured the landscape of Weslaco, TX where he saw the type of community Weslaco ISD children call home
Mr. Williams and Mr. Cortez’s visit was featured on all local networks
RecognitionsPublications
Latino Education Magazine published an article in the Fall 2013 edition p. 23 and 30
Texas Scholars Magazine ran an article “Weslaco ISD; Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)” in December 2013 pp. 12-13
On February 26, 2014, I was featured in the Mid-Valley Town Crier, a local newspaper.
What are we preparing our students for?
UTRGV Medical School
SpaceX Alyssa CarsonMars One
Appendix The Vision Videos
The Vision Implementing the Vision Part 1, Part 2 Assessing the Vision Part 1, Part 2 Future (In progress)
Town Hall Meetings 1st Town Hall Meeting Community: Part 1, Part 2 2nd Town Hall Meeting - Small Business Partnership 3rd Town Hall Meeting - Religious Community (In progress)
Bilingual Tech Fair
Weslaco Reads with MyOn
Filemon Vela, U.S. Congressman
Michael Williams, Texas Commissioner of Education
Greg Abbott, Texas State Attorney General, Gubernatorial Candidate Part 1, Part 2
(www.wisd.us) Weslaco ISD Website
21st Century Students “Going Where No Man Has Gone
Before”
Dr. Ruben [email protected](956) 969-6503