Teaching & Learning

The Teaching and Learning (T&L) Department is committed to providing the highest quality education for every student in Steilacoom Historical School District No. 1.

Our work focuses on four key areas:
• K–12 curriculum and instructional development
• Instructional support and student enrichment
• Assessment
• Professional learning

We believe every student deserves access to strong instruction grounded in academic rigor, inclusive practices, and thoughtful lesson design. Learning is most powerful when it is both challenging and accessible, and when students are actively engaged in meaningful content.

We have a strong districtwide focus on early literacy. Our instructional approach is grounded in the Science of Reading, an evidence-based body of research that explains how children learn to read and what instructional practices support that learning. In our early grades, students receive explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This foundational work ensures that all students become skilled readers who are equipped to engage deeply with texts across all content areas.

We design learning experiences that reflect our commitment to Universal Design for Learning (UDL), ensuring all students, regardless of background or ability, can access and succeed with the curriculum. We recognize that strategies developed to support specific learners often benefit the entire class community.

Our instructional planning is built around the belief that each student can achieve at high levels with the right support. We aim to foster confidence, independence, and critical thinking in every learner.

This work is guided by our district’s three-year School Improvement Plans. We use the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching to define high-quality instruction across classrooms. Instruction is aligned to the Washington State Learning Standards (WSLS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which outline what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. These standards ensure that our students are well prepared for their postsecondary pathways, whether that includes college, career, military service, or other opportunities after graduation.