2017 Five Star Journal Winter Issue

Teachers and administrators from across the state observe classroom instruction at Riverdale Elementary.
Learning from Each Other
Riverdale Elementary shines in
“Bright Spot” visit
Teachers and administrators from across the
state visited Riverdale Elementary on Oct. 18
to learn more about the successful teaching
practices that launched the school from a
priority improvement rating in 2014, to being
rated as a performance school – the highest
rating given to schools by the state – for the
past two years.
Executive Director of Schools Kari Cocozzella
discusses “Bright Spot” visit with fellow colleagues
from across Colorado.
The Colorado Department of Education selects a limited number of schools throughout the
year to participate in what is called a “Bright Spot” visit to help inform neighboring schools and
districts on the strategies and methods used to increase student achievement and educator
effectiveness. Riverdale was chosen in light of its impressive student growth over the last three
years. Educators from multiple districts across the state traveled to the Thornton elementary
school to observe classroom instruction and hear from school administrators on their progressive
approach to instructional planning, professional development and student motivation.
Throughout the day, attendees could be seen standing in the back of classrooms observing
teachers, or in hallways asking questions about building school culture or how they could
better utilize student data. By the end of the visit, Principal Kristin Golden and Assistant Principal
Deborah Voelker answered questions and highlighted the primary reasons for the school’s
recent success.
6 | Elementary School Feature