2003 - A Great Place to Work Award Winner
March 06, 2008
Willard R-II
Many things make Willard R-II a great place to work. The district is committed to innovation. Three years ago they created an Administrative Internship Program - investing time and money preparing staff for future opportunities.
Another characteristic is long-term planning. Willard employs two social workers to work with families. This “ounce of prevention” attitude works. Willlard’s rate for discipline infractions is half the state average. Their attendance is high; their dropout numbers low. Good discipline and good attendance translate into good grades. Willard students perform above (and in many cases way above) the state average in 10 of the 12 areas tested by the Missouri Assessment Program.
Local decision-making is another Willard trademark. Teachers chart the course of their professional development. Those activities range from integrating technology – where Willard teachers train other teachers– to making use of reading assessment data, to working with Practical Parenting Partnerships in training staff for home visits.
Recognizing the importance of the home and the demands on teachers, the district provides free before and after-school care through their Tiger Tales program.
