Meeting House Hill School’s Ms. Allyson Story was recently awarded the Responsive Classroom Consulting Teacher of the Year Appreciation Award. The award is given out each year by Lora Hodges, the President of the Center for Responsive Schools.
Responsive Classroom is a student-centered, social and emotional learning approach to teaching and discipline. Story explained that Responsive Classroom involves research- and evidence-based practices that are “designed to create safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms and school communities for both students and teachers.”
Story, an administrator at MHHS since 2017, has overseen the rollout of the approach at the school, which has been in the works since 2019. She also recently initiated the approach at Consolidated School this year. She loves that “no matter what you teach, the strategies and practices of the Responsive Classroom approach can be used. It is about teaching students about cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self control. A few of my favorite practices to the approach are morning meeting, quiet time, teacher language, closing circle, and the rulemaking process.”
Consolidated Principal Mr. Rob Spino is not surprised that Story was given the award, saying “This recognition for Allyson is well deserved.” He went on to say, “She just finished training the staff at Consolidated in Responsive Classroom and she was outstanding! The staff loved her. Allyson is always very professional and extremely knowledgeable, we were fortunate to have someone of her caliber train our staff. She provided us with strategies and a new perspective that is sure to have a significant impact on how they work with the children.”
The approach will likely have an impact on the whole school. Story says that, in New Fairfield, “we have seen a decrease in misbehavior and an increase in students and teachers creating stronger relationships.” She says that, overarchingly, “Our goal is that students come to school every day feeling like they belong, that they are important, and that they can have fun.”
In addition to training the Consolidated staff, “we are working on training all of the new staff at Meeting House.” Story also said “I continue to provide ongoing professional learning to our staff so that teachers can continue to grow their practice. Becoming an effective RC teacher is a journey.”
Story has been a certified consulting teacher with the Center for Responsive Schools since 2009. “I use vacation time and after hours and weekends to do my consulting work. Last year not only did I continue my consulting work but I also became an author for them. I have published several coaching guides and leadership guides as well as an article on their blog.”
Story said “I was so shocked when I received the award. There are so many deserving consulting teachers. I am honored to work with so many amazing educators.” She went on to say, “I love my work at MHHS and with Responsive Classroom. It is so rewarding.” Spino is very appreciative of all she’s doing, saying “I think the town of New Fairfield is fortunate to have Allyson as an administrator.”
By Sarah Opdahl