Academic corner
Blog posts by Julie Gajewski
April 29
Academic Excellence Through Strategic Curriculum Planning
Curriculum serves as the foundational "what" of effective instruction. To ensure optimal student learning, districts are encouraged to adopt an evidence-based curriculum. According to the New York State Education Department (NYSED), such a curriculum effectively facilitates the acquisition of skills and knowledge aligned with state standards, demonstrates developmental appropriateness, and informs differentiated instructional practices to meet the diverse needs of learners (NYSED 2015-2025).
My deep appreciation for curriculum development, review, and auditing stems from my time as a 4th-grade teacher. This pivotal grade level allowed for the exploration of engaging topics, ranging from the principles of electricity and the historical significance of the Erie Canal and Revolutionary War to the intricacies of fractions and the rich character development found in literature like "A Wrinkle in Time" and "Bridge to Terabithia." Meaningful field experiences, such as visits to the Locks on the Erie Canal, Fort Niagara, and Genesee Country Village and Museum, effectively brought these concepts to life. Furthermore, the curriculum fostered essential skills in experimentation, public speaking, and personal narrative writing.
Currently, as part of our strategic planning process for the Diocese of Buffalo, we are undertaking a comprehensive initiative to review, enhance, align, and integrate our Catholic faith throughout our robust curriculum. I am honored to guide this process, collaborating with our 30 elementary and middle schools and 12 high schools. We recognize the unique opportunity within our Catholic schools to not only meet the rigorous New York State Standards but also to align our instruction with the Profile of an Eighth Grader for Catholic Schools. This alignment will cultivate compassionate, Christian, service-oriented leaders through the intentional selection of our instructional content. Our aim is to provide students with learning experiences that empower them to discover their individual gifts and passions. A key strength of our schools lies in the dedication of our passionate teachers and principals who are deeply committed to both their faith and the education of our students. There is considerable enthusiasm among our educators for this opportunity to align curriculum and resources, fostering greater potential for shared materials, professional development, and inter-school collaboration.
Our multi-year implementation schedule for the revised and enhanced curriculum is as follows: 2024-2025, Science; 2025-2026, Social Studies/History and Religion; 2026-2027, Literacy; and 2027-2028, Mathematics and Health.
Principals: I will be scheduling virtual or in-person meetings to assist you in developing your school's curriculum plan in alignment with the approved Diocesan resource list. This collaborative effort will support alignment with research-based resources and enhance purchasing power.
