The Curriculum and Instruction department plays a pivotal role in shaping the educational experiences and outcomes of students at School City of Mishawaka. Research-based best practices are utilized during instruction to provide students with rigorous and engaging learning experiences that foster critical thinking, skill development, and deep content knowledge. Programs are available at all levels to accommodate the needs and interests of our most advanced learners, those who need extra support to be successful, and all learners in between.
What Instructional Coaching Looks Like in School City of Mishawaka
COMMITMENT TO STUDENT-CENTERED APPROACH TO COACHING
SCM Instructional Coaches will build partnerships with teachers to work together to reach goals for student learning. Coaches are teachers who still teach in the classroom and are non-evaluative. The focus of the work between teachers and coaches is on using data and student work to analyze progress and collaborate to make informed decisions about instruction that is differentiated and needs-based.
COACHING IS
COACHING ISN'T
A partnership
Evaluative
Focused on student learning
Focused on making teachers do things
Good for our students
About fixing teachers
Outcomes and standards-based
A waste of time
Driven by the teachers' goals
Driven by the administrator, coach, or district
Flexible and responsive
Fixed and flexible
Fun and interesting
Something to avoid
The Role of an Instructional Coach Defined
Vision
The coach supports the school and district improvement process.
The coach will provide support to teachers that is differentiated and includes choice of teacher.
Duties
Facilitate coaching cycles.
Work with school and district leadership teams to co-plan professional learning.
Teach in the classroom.
Meet with principals on an ongoing basis.
Participate in district-level coaching training.
Responsibilities
Complete coaching cycles during the school year.
Provide openings for coaching cycles every 6 weeks.
Document and share the impact of coaching cycles using the results-based coaching tool.
Deliver professional learning that engages adult learners.
Human Growth & Development / Human Sexuality Instruction
As required by Indiana Code 20-30-5-17, as amended by Senate Enrolled Act 442 (effective July 1, 2025), School City of Mishawaka provides parents and students with full transparency regarding Human Sexuality and Human Growth & Development instruction.
Parent Rights to Review Materials
Parents/guardians and adult or emancipated students have the right to review all instructional materials before giving consent. If a parent/guardian wishes to view the materials, they must do so in person at the school by scheduling an appointment with the principal in advance.
Consent & Opt-Out
Indiana law requires written consent before a student may participate in Human Sexuality instruction. Families who do not wish to participate may decline, and students will be provided with alternative academic instruction.
Join Canvas as an Observer
We encourage parents/guardians to join Canvas as Parent Observers. This role allows you to stay connected by viewing assignment deadlines, grades, announcements, and other course materials.
Human Growth & Development Curriculum at a Glance
High School Curriculum Resources
Glencoe Health McGraw Hill is our comprehensive health curriculum for high school students. research-based program focusing on the development and application of critical knowledge and skills during this important stage in students’ lives.
Glencoe Health provides age-appropriate, up-to-date content that aligns with the National Health Standards, helping students become informed, health-literate individuals.
Curriculum Development and Alignment
Educational programming is purposefully organized across classrooms, grade levels, and schools to prepare Mishawaka Students to be college, career, and citizenship ready.
Create curriculum maps and pacing guides focused on priority standards.
Develop horizontal and vertical alignment collaborative teams.
Monitor student progress.
Instructional Alignment and Power Standards
Educators use common, evidence based instructional practices.
Identify and prioritize evidence based instructional practices through the work of the PLCs.
Facilitate professional learning on identified practices through the work of PLCs.
Implement identified practices with supportive feedback PLCs and Instructional Leadership Teams.
Design a continuous improvement system with supports.
Develop improvement plans with key objectives (organizational, departments, services, schools).
Use consistent data protocols to measure progress toward achievement of key results.
Alignment of Administrator and Teacher Evaluation Plans Based on Continuous Improvement System
Collective impact of curriculum and instructional alignment is monitored routinely.
Train educators and administrators in use of teacher evaluation tool.
Create "look-fors" tools specific to curriculum and instructional alignment.
Utilize tools for frequent feedback cycle.
Federal and State Accountability Plan
Adherence to the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) accountability measures.
Communicate current requirements and expectations to all stakeholders.
In accordance to Indiana Code 20-26-5.5 going into effect January 1, 2024 School Districts must publish and make available library materials, along with establishing a procedure for families to submit a request for removal of materials.
