Paramount, CA – Paramount Unified’s Jefferson Elementary School was honored with a Golden Bell Award for its “Growth Mindset is Paramount” program, which fosters professional development and improves curriculum.

Of the almost 300 entries submitted for the award, now in its 37th year, the “Growth Mindset is Paramount” program was selected to win the most prestigious honor awarded by the California School Boards Association (CSBA).

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognized for this honor,” Jefferson Principal Kelly Williams said. “It validates the commitment we have made as educators to continually grow and embrace what the 21st century learner is going to need to be truly successful.”

Williams, alongside Paramount Superintendent Dr. Ruth Pérez, received the Golden Bell at a recognition ceremony on Dec. 3 at CSBA’s annual Educational Conference in San Francisco. The bell will be proudly displayed on campus to recognize the hard work of the school’s teachers, staff and community members.

Now in its third year, the “Growth Mindset is Paramount” program meshes professional development with support from academic coaches and processes that include learning walks, grade-level collaboration and site-based professional learning.

Teachers analyze data and connect the results to student achievement. The collaboration among administrators, academic coaches and teachers perpetuates a growth mindset, which trickles down to students, enabling them to embrace learning and aids in closing the achievement gap.

“Jefferson has adopted a program and mindset that we champion as a District,” Pérez said. “As educators we must actively seek out improvement so that we can lift the level of achievement throughout our community.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

120916_PARAMOUNT_GOLDENBELL1: Jefferson Elementary Principal Kelly Williams, middle, alongside Paramount Superintendent Dr. Ruth Pérez, right, received the Golden Bell for her school’s “Growth Mindset is Paramount” program at a recognition ceremony on Dec. 3 at CSBA’s annual Educational Conference in San Francisco.

120916_PARAMOUNT_GOLDENBELL2: Now in its third year, Jefferson Elementary School’s “Growth Mindset is Paramount” program meshes professional development with support from academic coaches and processes that include learning walks, grade-level collaboration and site-based professional learning.