Spring 2026 PD Kickoff – Building Engagement from Bell to Bell
On February 26, 2026, our Middle and High School English teachers launched the Spring Semester with a focused and energizing Professional Development session titled “Building Bridges from Bell to Bell: Routines & Rigor Across Divisions,” led by Mr. Ken Kitchens.
The morning began with opening remarks outlining three key goals for the semester, followed by a cross-divisional Bingo activity that strengthened collaboration between middle and high school colleagues and reinforced a shared commitment to excellence.
Teachers reflected on their current opening routines and participation patterns before moving into a focused exploration of First Five activities—practical strategies designed to ensure learning begins the moment students enter the classroom. Through collaborative discussion and design, teachers explored simple, consistent routines that build classroom culture, maximize instructional time, and support both academic and social-emotional growth.
After a short break, the group engaged in an interactive session on Strategic Questioning Techniques, practicing methods such as Cold Call, No Opt Out, Right is Right, and Stretch It to increase equity, accountability, and rigor in classroom discussions.
The session concluded with structured action planning, with each teacher committing to implement at least one First Five routine and one questioning strategy in the coming weeks.
The session was marked by high levels of engagement and enthusiasm throughout. Teachers recognized the strong practical value of the strategies and the meaningful collaboration between middle and high school teams. The interactive format and clear implementation steps ensured that ideas were not simply explored in theory, but positioned for immediate application in classrooms.
We look forward to seeing these best practices come to life across BRS classrooms as we continue strengthening student engagement and learning.
