Teacher Week: Preparing the Ground

The transformative journey of each San Miguel student begins before they set foot on campus. While students enjoy their final stretch of summer vacation, faculty and staff are back on campus to prepare for not only the first days of school, but for the entire year ahead.

Grounding in the Mission 

The heart of the faculty’s preparation is centering their work on San Miguel’s mission. Teachers revisit, and new teachers are introduced to, St. John Baptist de La Salle’s life and legacy. In 17th century France, he left behind his own wealth and status to train teachers and build schools for children who lacked access to education. Over 300 years later, San Miguel carries the same conviction: that every child deserves a high quality education. Teachers reflect on the ways that San Miguel School brings the Lasallian vision to life in Washington, DC. They walk through carefully planned routines and protocols that ensure every moment of a student’s day and each corner of the school building serves that mission.

Planning with Intention

Once teachers are prepared to view all their work through the lens of the Lasallian mission, they are ready to tackle curriculum planning. Their first step may be surprising: they create their final exams. This kind of backwards design ensures that all lessons build toward the final goal of each course, setting the high bar from the very first lesson. As the year progresses, teachers meet weekly to analyze student data and discuss best practices, working together to equip students with the skills they need to meet and exceed grade-level expectations.

Strengthening Community

Throughout this week, teachers share meals, collaborate on instruction, and welcome new members into the fold. By the time students arrive, the faculty bond is strong, laying the foundation for the brotherhood that awaits students. In the days ahead, seventh and eighth graders will return to campus while new students will join the San Miguel family for the first time. For returning students and newcomers alike, this week of preparation means San Miguel is ready to provide a life-changing opportunity for every student from the moment he walks through the door.