KINGSPORT, Tenn. – John F. Kennedy Elementary School and Abraham Lincoln Elementary School have been named a 2021-22 Gold Level Response to Instruction and Intervention for Behavior (RTI2-B) Model of Demonstration School by the Tennessee Behavior Supports Project (TBSP) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

 

Funded by the Tennessee Department of Education, there are over 1,800 schools across the state considered each year and only a small percentage meet the criteria to become a RTI2-B Model of Demonstration School. This is the third consecutive year Lincoln Elementary has received this recognition. 

 

“Being recognized three years in a row is something that the staff at Lincoln take great pride in,” said Suzanne Zahner, Principal of Lincoln Elementary. “We have done amazing things at Lincoln to ensure that we have an excellent environment for all of our students to learn and grow. Maintaining this environment through all the trials of the past two years has not been easy, but we are proud of the work we are being recognized for.” 

 

"The Gold Level RTI2-B designation has been years in the making,” said Dr. Janice Irvin, Principal of Kennedy Elementary. "Kennedy faculty and staff are here to educate the "whole child"... we are not only here for academics. Our goal is to support children socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. We are so proud to have this designation for our focus on growing students as leaders who: Help others, Overcome challenges, Have a willingness to learn, and Lead with respect. Hear us H.O.W.L!"

 

Kennedy Elementary and Lincoln Elementary have been participants in training and technical assistance provided by TBSP and have undergone the process of implementing a positive and proactive behavioral systems framework for all students. The RTI2-B framework consists of identifying common behavioral expectations across campus, teaching, re-teaching, reinforcing, and regularly acknowledging students, faculty, and families for exhibiting these expectations.

 

Kennedy Elementary and Lincoln Elementary have applied this framework to improve the climate, culture, and proactive disciplinary practices which directly impacts student engagement and school connectedness. In meeting this award criteria, Lincoln demonstrated use of school-wide behavioral data to inform teaching practices and levels of support provided to students based on need. Twice a year, they reflect on overall fidelity to guide their implementation of the RTI2-B framework.

 

As a gold level RTI2-B Model of Demonstration School, Kennedy Elementary and Lincoln Elementary can now serve as a mentor to other schools across East Tennessee.