Learning & Teaching Home
Supporting Educators. Advancing Student Learning
Great teachers change lives. The Learning & Teaching Department ensures our highly trained educators have everything they need to help students achieve the Big 6 Student Outcomes.
We Support Teachers By:
- Providing evidence-based instructional strategies and professional development
- Building integrated systems of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support (MTSS)
- Removing barriers that stand between students and learning
- Ensuring every classroom delivers high-quality, responsive instruction
We Support Students By:
- Ensuring they experience grade-level instruction in every classroom
- Helping them read on grade level, master algebra, and stay on track for graduation
- Creating learning environments where they belong, connect, and engage in real-world learning
Because student success starts with supporting the educators who serve them every day.
Programs
Assessment
Understanding where students are in their learning so we can provide the instruction and support they need to grow
AVID
AVID unlocks student potential by teaching college-readiness skills—from note-taking and time management to critical thinking and advocacy
Libraries
Where students discover books, build research skills, and develop a love of reading—guided by expert teacher librarians in welcoming spaces
Highly Capable (HiCap)
Specialized support for students who demonstrate advanced learning needs—providing the depth, complexity, and acceleration they need to thrive
Science Resource Center
Bringing science to life through hands-on materials, inquiry-based resources, and outdoor learning experiences that spark curiosity and discovery
Sexual Health Education
Supporting student health and safety through age-appropriate education on relationships, consent, personal boundaries, and informed choices
Evidence-Based Practices
-
PLCs: How Teachers Collaborate to Help Every Student Succeed
What does PLC stand for?
Professional Learning CommunityWhat does that actually mean?
Teachers working together—not alone—to ensure every student learns.Here's how it works:
Our teachers meet regularly in grade-level or subject-area teams to ask four essential questions:
- What do we want students to learn? (Clear learning targets)
- How will we know if they've learned it? (Checking student work and data)
- What do we do when they haven't learned it? (Extra support and intervention)
- What do we do when they already know it? (Extension and challenge)
When does this happen?
This is why we have Monday late starts. While students arrive later, teachers use that time for PLC collaboration—analyzing student work, sharing successful strategies, and planning instruction that meets every student's needs.
Why PLCs matter:
When teachers collaborate, they share best practices, analyze what's working, and adjust instruction to meet each student's needs. No teacher works in isolation. No student gets overlooked.
PLCs ensure every student gets high-quality instruction—every day.
-
Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum: What It Means for Your Student
You may hear educators talk about "guaranteed and viable curriculum." Here's what that means—and why it matters for your child.
GUARANTEED CURRICULUM
The Promise: Every student learns the same essential content, no matter which teacher they have or which school they attend.
What this looks like:
- All 3rd grade teachers teach the same essential reading skills
- All 8th grade math teachers cover the same core algebra concepts
- Students who transfer between WSD schools don't miss critical learning
Why it matters: Your child's education shouldn't be a lottery based on which teacher they happen to get. Every student deserves access to the same high-quality instruction and essential learning.
VIABLE CURRICULUM
The Promise: We teach a realistic amount of content that can be covered with depth and mastery in the time available.
What this looks like:
- Focusing on the most important standards rather than superficially covering everything
- Teaching fewer concepts more deeply
- Time for students to truly understand, not just memorize
Why it matters: Rushing through too much content means students don't master anything. Viable curriculum ensures students actually learn what's being taught.
THE RESULT
Guaranteed and viable curriculum means: ✓ Equity – Every student gets what they need
✓ Quality – Instruction focuses on what matters most
✓ Mastery – Students learn deeply, not superficially
✓ Consistency – Coordinated teaching across classrooms
This is how we deliver on Big 6 Outcome #1: High-Quality Instruction for every student.
-
PBIS: Teaching Behavior, Building Belonging
What does PBIS stand for?
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
What does that actually mean?
We teach students how to be successful—not just academically, but behaviorally and socially.
The PBIS Approach:
1. TEACH Expectations
Just like we teach multiplication or reading, we teach behavior. What does respect look like in the cafeteria? How do we solve conflicts in the hallway? What does cooperation look like in class? Students learn clear expectations.
2. RECOGNIZE Positive Behavior
When students meet expectations, we notice! Positive recognition reinforces good choices and builds a culture where students want to do the right thing.
3. SUPPORT When Needed
When students struggle behaviorally, we ask: "What do they need to learn?" rather than just "What consequence should they get?" Students receive teaching, practice, and support—not just punishment.
4. USE DATA
Just like we track academic progress, we track behavioral patterns. This helps us identify where students need more teaching or support.
Why PBIS Matters:- Proactive, not reactive – Preventing problems before they happen
- Teaching, not just punishing – Students learn better behavior
- Positive school culture – Focus on what students DO right
- Equity – Every student gets clear expectations and support
PBIS supports Big 6 Outcome #2: Belonging and Connection. When students understand expectations, feel recognized, and get support, they feel like they belong—and learning improves. -
Project GLAD: Making Learning Accessible Through Powerful Teaching Strategies
What does GLAD stand for?
Guided Language Acquisition Design
What does that actually mean?
Research-based teaching strategies that make grade-level content accessible to students learning English—while benefiting all learners.
The Challenge GLAD Addresses:
Students who are learning English often face a difficult choice: learn simplified content in a language they understand, or struggle with grade-level content in a language they're still learning. GLAD solves this by making rigorous, grade-level content comprehensible through powerful teaching strategies.
How GLAD Works:
Visual Learning
Pictures, charts, graphic organizers, and visual aids make abstract concepts concrete. Students see what they're learning, not just hear it.
Total Physical Response
Gestures and movements reinforce vocabulary and concepts. When students act out "evaporation" or "democracy," they remember it.
Cooperative Learning Structures
Students practice language with peers through structured activities. They're not just listening—they're talking, reading, writing, and collaborating.
Multiple Entry Points
Content is presented in multiple ways—visual, auditory, kinesthetic—so every student can access learning regardless of language proficiency or learning style.
Academic Language Development
Students learn content-specific vocabulary and language structures explicitly, building both content knowledge and English language skills simultaneously.
Who Benefits:
While GLAD was designed for English learners, research shows all students benefit from these clear, engaging, multi-sensory teaching strategies.
The Result:
- English learners access grade-level content without waiting until they're "fluent"
- All students experience more engaging, visual, hands-on instruction
- Academic language development for everyone
- Higher achievement across student groups
This is equity in action. This is Big 6 Outcome #1: High-Quality Instruction that meets every student's needs.
-
The Marzano Framework: Our Roadmap to Excellent Instruction
What is the Marzano Framework?
A research-based instructional model developed by Dr. Robert Marzano that identifies specific teaching strategies proven to improve student learning.Why We Use It:
Wenatchee School District is committed to Big 6 Outcome #1: High-Quality Instruction for every student. But what does "high-quality instruction" actually look like? The Marzano Framework provides a clear answer based on decades of classroom research.
The Framework's Four Domains:
1. Classroom Strategies and Behaviors
Effective lesson design, student engagement, assessment, and feedback. Teachers use research-based strategies like:
- Communicating clear learning goals
- Providing effective feedback that helps students improve
- Checking for understanding throughout lessons
- Keeping students actively engaged in learning
2. Planning and Preparing
Effective lesson planning aligned to standards, with appropriate resources and assessment.
3. Reflecting on Teaching
Teachers analyze their practice, identify areas for growth, and continuously improve.
4. Collegial Responsibilities
Collaboration with colleagues, communication with families, and professional learning.
What This Means for Your Student:
- Consistency – Evidence-based teaching strategies used across classrooms
- Clarity – Students know what they're learning and why it matters
- Engagement – Active learning, not passive listening
- Feedback – Students receive helpful information to improve
- Growth – Teachers continuously improving their craft
The Marzano Framework isn't about evaluating teachers—it's about ensuring every student experiences excellent instruction every day.
That's our commitment. That's unlimited potential. That's real-world ready
