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Welcome to Enumclaw Middle School

Principal's Message

"Teaching for Understanding" Welcome to Enumclaw Middle School. We started our year as staff with this statement above. Our most important work at EMS is most simply described as "Teaching for Understanding". The difference between knowledge and understanding is based in the application of the knowledge gained. There was a day when we were considered pretty successful if we managed to give kids enough of the right kind of knowledge (information) to pass whatever required tests we had. If they put the seat time in and studied hard enough and supplied the right answers to the test, they could be pretty confident that they would be successful in school. The key here is that it wasn't necessarily a requirement that they understood (or be able to apply) what it was they were learning. Our work today focuses on teaching this knowledge base in such a way that it has value to students beyond the test, even beyond the classroom. Their ability to use the subject area knowledge in ways that they can construct meaning that represents deeper understanding of what is taught is critical for their success today.

Teaching for Understanding is more than knowing the "what" or the "how", is it knowing the "why" as well. Why does this work or not work?...Does it work in all situations?...Are there alternative ways to make it work?...What would happen if... How do you know?... What is your evidence to support your idea? These are a few of the kinds of questions kids need to grapple with to be better prepared for high school and beyond. Teaching to this level is very difficult and has required us to push beyond even our own professional training to see our subjects in a different light. It is hard work but it is the right work and we are certain will be rewarding work as we see breakthroughs in student performance.

Our school letterhead has the logo, "Learning to Lead by Leading as Learners" and that continues to characterize how we approach our work. Our teachers work together on cross-curricular teams, assigned to the same groups of kids where they share and coordinate both their curriculum and their knowledge of powerful teaching and learning. They encourage one another and they challenge one another, and as they do that, the product will be improved learning experiences for all kids.

We are very proud of the work we have done and we have a clear focus for the work ahead. Literacy across the curriculum, strong content-area academics and a broad approach to non-academic experiences are the foundation for our kids' experiences at EMS. We are developing a community that expects each other to think and communicate what we are thinking in such a way that everyone benefits. This is what Teaching for Understanding looks like. This is what learning at EMS looks like.

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2929 McDougall Avenue, Enumclaw, Washington 98022    Phone: 360.802.7100