Portrait of a Graduate
Overview of Portrait of a Graduate for Westbrook Public Schools
Welcome to the Westbrook Public Schools’ Portrait of a Graduate page!
In Westbrook Public Schools, we collectively embrace and embody our vision encapsulated through the Portrait of a Graduate (PoG), defining the six attributes essential for all our students.
As a community, we are steadfast in our commitment to seamlessly integrate these PoG attributes into every facet of our district-wide educational landscape. From classroom instruction to school-wide programs, to district-wide initiatives, our focus extends ground-up, ensuring that every learning experience, both within and beyond traditional classroom settings, is imbued with real-world relevance and personalized to cater to each student’s unique career pathway.
Our overarching objectives revolve around crafting unique opportunities designed to nurture these crucial attributes. Furthermore, we aim to integrate the principles of the PoG into the core of our educational community, spanning academic, social, and emotional realms throughout all tiers of Westbrook Public Schools.
Stay tuned to this page for regular updates on our endeavors to cultivate well-rounded, future-ready graduates who exemplify critical problem-solving, creative thinking, effective communication, perseverance, responsible decision-making, and social awareness throughout Westbrook Public Schools.
2023-2024 Portrait of Graduate Implementation and Ongoing Integration
In our pursuit of implementing the Portrait of a Graduate framework, Westbrook Public Schools has embarked on a multifaceted journey in 2023 - 2024. Through the completion of 34 curricula and curriculum mapping projects, we have seamlessly integrated the six attributes across all 22 learning pathways, ensuring that our educational offerings resonate deeply with the essence of the PoG. Please view Westbrook’s teaching and learning website to browse the new curriculum work, in addition to our entire library of course materials: Westbrook Public Schools Curriculum Website. Together, these projects serve as the bedrock for cultivating critical thinking, creativity, effective communication, perseverance, responsible decision-making, and social awareness among our students, preparing them comprehensively for the challenges of the future.
Furthermore, we have fortified our commitment to the PoG through district-wide professional development endeavors. With eight dedicated professional development days featuring tailored PoG sessions, we have equipped our educators with the supportive tools and insights needed to infuse PoG practices into their instructional strategies. Additionally, the facilitation of two Portrait of a Graduate EdCamps facilitated by our teacher-leaders underscores our collective dedication to fostering a culture of continuous growth and innovation. Coupled with the implementation of a brand-new Teacher Evaluation (TEVAL) Plan, designed by the Professional Development and Evaluation Committee (PDEC), and anchored in the PoG framework, we are steadfast in our mission to nurture excellence in teaching and learning throughout Westbrook Public Schools.
Future Westbrook High School Portrait of Graduate Implementation Work
Over the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, the following Portrait of a Graduate work will occur district-wide in Westbrook Public Schools to help our students better understand what each attribute means and to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning and growth in each of the priority PoG attributes.
- Update and revise district-wide curriculum to ensure all educators align state and national standards to Westbrook’s six attributes; and
- Offer district-wide professional development and assistance to staff, enhancing district-wide capabilities in MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) in alignment with PoG, state legislation, and CSDE (Connecticut State Department of Education); and
- Establish a two-year New Educator Academy aimed at nurturing educators who are new to the profession or joining Westbrook Public Schools.
- This comprehensive program includes TEAM mentorship and coordination, as well as tailored professional development opportunities designed to align with the Portrait of a Graduate.
- Provide district-wide tier one support of integration of PoG and hands-on opportunities for assignments to be measured using PoG rubrics and/or program where appropriate; and
- Increase communication and celebration of Westbrook Portrait of a Graduate success and programming.
