C-RCS Staff Development Day Focuses on Student Success and Growth
Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District faculty and staff recently participated in a full day of professional learning during Staff Development Day on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, centered around strengthening instructional practices and supporting student success.
Throughout the day, teachers engaged in sessions focused on Visible Learning, explored success criteria, discussed different morning meeting models, and analyzed MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) data to better meet the needs of all learners. The day provided valuable opportunities for collaboration, reflection, and planning across grade levels and departments.
For the past three years, teachers have been learning and implementing key components of the Visible Learning framework developed by Dr. John Hattie. This year marked an important milestone, as grades 6–12 teachers focused on success criteria, the final piece of their training, with support from Corwin Press coach Tommy Thompson.
Success criteria help clearly define what students need to do to demonstrate their understanding, making expectations more transparent and learning more accessible.
Director of Teaching and Learning, Scott McDonald, shared the importance of this work, stating:
“In class, we don’t just tell students what they’re learning—we also show them what success looks like. Success criteria are the specific things your child will be able to do to demonstrate their learning. This helps students feel more confident and independent, because they know what’s expected and can track their own progress—not just wait for a grade. Success criteria make learning visible—they turn expectations into something students can understand, use, and take ownership of in every class.”
In addition to the focus on success criteria, staff explored ways to strengthen classroom culture through morning meetings and used MTSS data to guide instructional decisions and interventions.
Staff Development Day continues to be an essential part of C-RCS’s commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that educators are equipped with the tools and strategies needed to help every student succeed.
