+ Grace Murray Hopper High School Ideal School Presentation EDFN 300: Schools in Communities Abigail McNeely Alexandria, Virginia
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Grace Murray Hopper High School
Ideal School PresentationEDFN 300: Schools in Communities
Abigail McNeely
Alexandria, Virginia
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Grace HopperComputer Science pioneer and decorated Naval officer
Rear admiral (lower half), served between 1943 to 1986
From New York, died in Arlington, VA
Received multiple degrees from Yale
Known for popularizing machine-independent program languages
Created COBOL, one of the first high-level programming languages
Popularized the term “debugging” Inspired by removing a moth
Referred to as “Amazing Grace”
+ Located in Fairfax County, VA
28 high schools in Fairfax district
14 schools earned a spot on US News’ Best High Schools ranking
8 of Virginia’s top ten schools are located in Fairfax
Distance from DC makes for very diverse classroom
Allows for cultural immersion due to DC’s melting pot atmosphere and arts scene
Alexandria, Virginia8 miles outside of
DC
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Hopper HighArchitecture and Outdoor
Design Color blocks, rainbow
colors Lots of windows Straight, offset lines Many floors, compact
Colorful trim and corners
Windowsin every classroom
Hopper HighClassrooms and Common Spaces Color continues inside Warm, bright colors Minimalistic but quirky Encourages sharing,
meeting
SpaciousCommon areas
Wide-opencolorful cafeteria
Teaching How and what we teach
Philosophies
Pragmatic teaching philosophy Hands-on, discussions, group projects Interaction with environment Importance of communication and group work Applying learned concepts and past experiences to real
life Prepare student for citizenship and future careers
Pragmatic Approach
Salariesand BonusesPaying you what you deserve
Pay is not based on standardized testing alone Urge importance of grades AND student development Modeled after Denver Public School’s ProComp
Professional development Student growth School’s needs
Professional Compensation
Brief Overview of ProComp - http://denverprocomp.dpsk12.org/
Whites 62.7 Asian 17.5 Black 9.2 Other 6.5 Two+ 3.6 Native 0.4 Pac. Isl. 0.1
Racial Structureof Fairfax County, Virginia
Racial DiversitySetting an example for the future
Encourage diversity in faculty and staff Proximity to DC means many different
students with different backgrounds Setting example for diverse student
body Many teachers speak two languages or
more Organizations to support those of
different ethnic backgrounds
Diversity in the Classroom
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Catholic 17.5 LDS 1.5 Christian 19.3 Eastern 0.5 Islam 1.5 Jewish 4.6
Religious Structureof Fairfax County, Virginia
Religious FreedomCreating a safe space for all
beliefs
Allowing Students to Believe All religions are supported and given
equal treatment (given then are not disruptive)
Time is given during the day to allow for required prayer
Moment of silence offered after pledge and at school-sponsored sporting events
Religion classes offered through history Student organizations for each belief to
meet after school or during Club Days
EquitableAllowing everyone to
succeed
Opportunities
Gifted and Talented program to allow students excelling faster to work with other students at higher levels
Special Education program allows for students needing more help to remain in the classroom with instructor
Tutoring programs offered after school Online tutoring also offered
More Independence, More Help
ProfessionalIn the ClassroomExpressing you, the right way
Connecting with the students in professional situations Classroom Facebooks, Twitters, etc. ONLY
Stickers, posters, knick-knacks are allowed to personalize your classroom (just keep it decent)
Keep parents informed of classroom activities and student progress, outstanding or otherwise
Principal and vice principal are there for you
Making it “personal”
PoliticalKeeping it unbiased for them
Views in Class
Political discussions happen in class Make all attempts to stay unbiased If class is unhappy with policy, tell them how to change it! Project Citizen platform
Encourage political change in their community Allows students to participate in policy-changing Proactive way of questioning policy
Politics within the Classroom
+Opportunities
State-of-the-art auditorium
New FieldTurf onfootball field
at Hopper High New equipment for students to use Black box for theatre classes Brand new rehearsal rooms for
orchestra Workout facilities and locker rooms
for football, volleyball, basketball teams
Courts for basketball, tennis Community teams to join
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Optimum esse contendas , eadem facite illis“Strive to do great things, help others do the same”