Curriculum & Professional Development
Dottie Barbeau, Curriculum Director

Waterloo Community Unit School District No. 5 is committed to the continuous improvement of teaching and learning through curriculum renewal, use of best teaching practices, and related professional development activities.  Three major structures are in place to ensure this continuous improvement.

Kindergarten through grade 12 teachers are divided into six Fundamental Learning Area Teams (FLA) across the district: Language Arts K-5 and 6-12, Math, Science, Social Science, and Vocational Education.  Over the past few years, these teams have realigned curriculum to the Illinois State Content Standards and identified and addressed gaps in curriculum.  Presently, the teams are in the process of differentiating instruction to meet individual needs of all learners.

In addition to the yearly work accomplished by all FLA Teams, each year one FLA area is targeted to take an in-depth look at its curriculum and instruction.  The teams focus on use of best teaching practices, alignment of curriculum at and across grade levels, and assessment of the quality of student learning.

The staff in each building throughout the district designs a School Improvement Plan through the leadership of its Internal Review Team.  Two to three goals and related action plans are developed, implemented, and evaluated each year.  These goals generally parallel and extend the focus of the FLA Teams in providing improved educational opportunities for students.