Breaking the Barrier: Implementing an Innovative Vision Against the Odds

1. Breaking the Barrier: Implementing an Innovative Vision Against the Odds By Dr. Ruben Alejandro Weslaco ISD Superintendent

2. Overview • 21st Century Skills • Why are 21st Century Skill Critical? • 20th Century vs. 21st Century • Demographics • Vision • Initiatives • Recognitions • Future

3. 21st Century Skills Why?

4. Adapt Create Innovation Interpret Global Awareness Personal Responsibility Social-Skills Leadership Civic Responsibility Multicultural Literacy Interactive-Communication Information Literacy 21st Century Skills Collaboration Influence Relevance Flexibility Inventive Thinking Self-Expression Evaluate Technological Literacy Social Responsibility Economic Literacy Interpersonal Skills Communication Teamwork Self-Directed Media-Literacy Problem-Solving Self-Expression Access Meaning Higher-Order Thinking

5. 20th Century vs. 21st Century

6. 20th Century vs. 21st Century Classroom

7. 20th Century vs. 21st Century Teacher Required Skills for the 21st Century Educator Teacher Centered Overhead Projector Ditto/Copy Machine Content Knowledge Classroom Management Community Blogs Multimedia Resources Wikis Required Skills for the 20th Century Educator Student Centered Twitter Curriculum PLC/PLN E-Learning Platforms

8. Demographics Weslaco 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. United States Gulf of Mexico Mexico

9. 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). • 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 • Our diversity has shaped our district’s vision of looking at The Whole Child, The Whole World, The Whole Universe.

10. VISION

11. “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 by engaging in continuous professional growth and leadership.”

13. Leadership Committees • Student Advisory Committee • One representative per campus • Meet once a month • Parental Advisory Committee • One representative per campus • Meet once a month • Teacher Advisory Committee • One representative per campus • Meet once a month

14. BYOD Initiative • Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) • Cell phones • Tablets • Laptops • Other devices

15. Transition to 21st Century

16. Instructional Technology Initiative • Google Apps for Education (GAFE) • Digital Storytelling • Project Based Learning (PBL) • Flipped/Blended Learning • E-learning Platforms (24/7 learning) • Google Classroom • Moodle • Edmodo

17. Professional Development Initiative • Professional Development on technology • Administrators • Book Study • 21st Century Skills • Change the Culture, Change the Game • Creating Innovators • The Leader in Me • Teachers • Counselors • Librarians • Vision Team

18. Professional Development Initiative • Professional Development on technology • Support Staff • Paraprofessionals • Custodial Department • Energy Management Department • Warehouse Department • Maintenance Department • Safety & Security Department • Food Services Department • Transportation Department

19. Tech Day Initiative • District staff provided training on digital integration in the instructional process • Classroom use • Personal use • Apps for Apple, Android, & Chrome • Google Apps for Education • Flipped/Blended Learning • Project Based Learning • Digital Storytelling

20. Tech Night Initiative Students showcase to parents how they use technology as an instructional support to make real world connections through engaged personalized learning in the classroom.

21. Weslaco Reads Initiative • MyOn Zero to 3 Weslaco Reads • 31 Day Cares • 3 Hidalgo County Head Start • Public Library • Knapp Medical Center • Pediatrics • Obstetrics and Gynecology

22. Recognitions • District Showcased by News Media • ABC affiliate KRGV-TV Channel 5 • CBS affiliate KGBT-TV Channel 4 • NBC affiliate KVEO-TV Channel 23 • Telemundo affiliate KTLM Channel 40 • District cable channel, KWES

23. Recognitions • District Recognized by Political Figures • BYOD 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

24. Recognitions • District Recognized by Political Figures • BYOD 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

25. Recognitions • District 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

26. Recognitions • Publications • 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.

29. What are we preparing our students for? • UTRGV Medical School • SpaceX • Alyssa Carson • Mars One

30. 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

31. 21st Century Students “Going Where No Man Has Gone Before” Dr. Ruben Alejandro Superintendent@wisd.us (956) 969-6503