Eighth-grade math teacher Whitney Bradford walks and talks with Crystal Sorrells, principal at Orchard Knob Middle School, on Wednesday as the instructors prepare their rooms for the first day of school.WHO’S IN THE iZONE?• Brainerd High School• Dalewood Middle• Orchard Knob Elementary• Orchard Knob Middle• Woodmore ElementaryTEACHER MOVESIn the 2012-13 school year the five iZone schools had 103 teachers of core subjects — math, reading/language arts, science and social studies. This fall, 62 of those teachers — or about 60 percent — have been replaced. Brainerd High saw the largest turnover in its staff.Source: Hamilton County Schools iZone
The status quo is a no-go for Hamilton County’s five iZone schools.
When school starts on Aug. 8, officials are hoping that everything will look and feel different at those schools, which were grouped together for perpetual underperformance.
With an infusion of cash, those schools are preparing to roll out a slew of changes this fall.
The days will be longer. Teachers will earn heftier paychecks, and some will compete for bonuses. New staff members, software and programs will fill the halls. And the infusion of iPads and other tools like interactive white boards will be a much-welcomed addition at the mostly poor and mostly black schools. It could even put those schools ahead of the district’s own technology push.