The Perry School District just finished the inaugural year of their Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) program, and early reports were highly favorable.

At the June School Board meeting, TLC Coordinator Shannon Cline gave a report on the program, and he felt it was very beneficial. He pointed out it didn’t go exactly as they had anticipated, but given it was the first year of the program he said that was to be expected. Superintendent Lynn Ubben agreed with that sentiment, saying they weren’t sure how teachers would respond to the frequent observation and feedback from coaches and mentors.

However, both Cline and Ubben said the teachers found it helpful and were receptive to the program. Ubben adds, “Basically the goal is to just enhance instruction throughout the district. And I think they felt real good about it, thought it went well, and see what happens the next year. It’s a great program. Basically, I think we had the right people in the right places, and that always makes a big difference.”

The TLC program will continue next year, though with school funding from the state legislature in question moving forward, Ubben is unsure if the program will make it to the following year. In spite of that, the Board approved the mentor roster for the next school year. The roster includes 15 mentors, three of whom are new, who will help teachers in their first or second year in the district.

To hear more about this and other topics from the June Perry School Board meeting, listen to Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County programs at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.