Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools

Leon. Dr. Jackson recently shed light on the district’s core values and its deep-seated commitment to the community. As he states, the core of the district’s philosophy are values that resonate with accountability and a relentless pursuit of excellence. “As a district, we have a strategic plan that lists our core values. This means being accountable to provide our best, starting each week with our best foot forward.We extend this expectation to our staff, students, and community,” he explains. He further highlights the district’s unique position in the community, underscoring its role as a unifying force among the surrounding small towns.“The school corporation is the center of all these communities, Sunman, St. Leon, Dover, Guilford, Bright. and others. We have approximately 3800 students across the district, encompassing all levels from kindergarten to 12th grade.” This number represents not just the scale of their operation but their broad impact on the region. EMBRACING MODERN TEACHING AND PREPARING FOR FUTURE CAREERS In an era where educational paradigms are shifting rapidly, Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools is not just keeping pace but setting benchmarks in pedagogical approaches and preparing students for unforeseen future careers. This shift is critical today, where job landscapes are evolving faster than ever, and new professions are emerging, challenging the conventional educational frameworks. Dr. Jackson highlights the district’s focus on enhancing core instruction and implementing a robust teaching approach.“We’ve honed our teacher evaluation rubric to five non-negotiables, ensuring that every classroom exhibits a culture of respect, collaboration, and effective teaching methods,” he states. This rigorous approach to teaching is coupled with targeted professional development. “Each month, teachers engage in professional development tailored to our teaching model, led by instructional leadership at each school. We’re also transitioning to teacher-led professional development, where teachers share best practices with their peers.” 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 03 SUNMAN-DEARBORN COMMUNI TY SCHOOLS