Alexis Downham, Ed. S

Bayside Middle Assistant Principal| VBCPS | Educational Leader | Twin Mom | Wife | Best Day Foundation President | Runner |

[Justin McMillan @justinwmcmillan]

In education, we are constantly tempted by the next big thing. New programs. New acronyms. New initiatives that promise to transform learning overnight.

But the truth is far less flashy and far more dependable.

As John Hattie reminds us, almost everything we do in education “works”… some things just work better than others.

Real success is rarely about novelty. It’s about consistency.

As the quote says,
“Success is often found by practicing the fundamentals everyone knows they should be doing, but find too boring or basic to practice routinely.”

The practices that move student achievement the most aren’t trendy. They are the daily, tried and true fundamentals done with precision and purpose.

Four of the highest-impact things a teacher can do every single day:
https://t.co/vaygXsg1Ei crystal clear about the learning
Post and explain the learning intention and success criteria.

Students should be able to answer:
What am I learning?
Why am I learning it?
What does success look like?

When clarity goes up, achievement follows. Students hit targets they can clearly see.
2.Check for understanding constantly
Use quick, ongoing formative assessment:
questioning, turn-and-talk, whiteboards, exit tickets, short writes.

These simple checks tell the teacher what to reteach, who needs support, and when to move on. Instruction becomes responsive instead of reactive.
3.Give specific, actionable feedback
Not “good job.”
Not a score with no guidance.

Instead:
“You explained your answer clearly, now add evidence from the text to strengthen your argument.”

The best feedback tells students exactly what their next step is and gives them a chance to act on it.
4.Get every student thinking and talking
Learning is not a spectator sport.

Structured discussion, think-pair-share, cold call with support, and purposeful questioning ensure that every student processes the content, not just the most confident few.

When students do the cognitive heavy lifting, understanding deepens.

None of this is new.
None of this is flashy.
All of this works.

The path to higher student achievement isn’t hidden in the latest trend. It’s found in mastering the fundamentals, day after day, lesson after lesson.

Do the simple things.
Do them well.
Do them every day.

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

@LynnhavenMiddle Instructional Leaders collaborating to develop instructional expectations with the Future Ready Profile & Strategic Action Plan! We’re so excited to meet our students in a week! #collaborating #bluefishdreamers

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

@ToriBeck7 @TQuinnVB @RMD_Roni @JSmithjjs1 @TreadwayChelsea @MrsErwin101 Loved catching up and working together yesterday!

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

@zhykeemrogers_ @T_Garvin28 @coachdarrylveal @DCherry55 @NorfolkStateFB @KempsvilleFB @CozWon @natmass18 let’s go to a game! @zhykeemrogers_ when it gets closer, tell us what game to come to!

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

@Andy @bestdayfound - our mission is to help kids with special needs build confidence and self esteem by connecting them with their community through adventure activities like surfing, boogie boarding, and SUPing

[Bayside6Campus @bayside6campus]

Our Staff vs. Staff Turkey Bowl was amazing !!! @vbschools
#Bayside6ForLife

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

@BaysideMSVBCPS wears RED to support our military community and remember everyone deployed!

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

“Why are all the teachers wearing neon?” The kids are picking up on our #undergroundspiritweek at @bayside6campus! One more day to go!

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

Best part of today…getting @BBoynton28 to “dress up.” Opposites attract day at @bayside6campus!!! #undergroundspiritweek

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

Our @bayside6campus teachers understood the assignment! “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” #undergroundspiritweek #anythingbutacup @BBoynton28

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

@bayside6campus and @BaysideMSVBCPS fall sports banquet! We love celebrating our student athletes!

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

Congratulations, Lyndsy!!! This is SO deserved!! ❤️❤️

[Emily Hitzemann, Ed.S. @emily_hitzemann]

Shouting CONGRATULATIONS from the rooftops for one of my favorite educators!!! Lyndsy Buck, @SalemSharkTank is lucky to have you! Love you! 💙🥳🤩🦈

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

It was twin day today and our @bayside6campus staff CRUSHED it! #bestside

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

@TroyWalton24 This is awesome!!! Way to go, @TroyWalton24 and all BHS staff!!! This is a direct reflection of your hard work and caring!

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

@bayside6campus celebrated National Homemade Cookie day by having a cookie baking contest. It was a tough competition with a bunch of amazing cookies, but our wonderful kitchen staff took home the wooden spoon for best cookie! #bakersofbayside @BBoynton28

[Bayside6Campus @bayside6campus]

Thank you to BayPort CU for supporting Raider Rewards through our Community in Schools partner.

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

Just a few of the awesome doors that welcome our @bayside6campus scholars to class every day!

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

It was so fun watching our @bayside6campus and @BaysideMSVBCPS students on the field last night! Congrats to our players and cheerleaders on a huge win!

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

Mr. Neal, our @bayside6campus @AVID4College elective teacher, has spent all week building relational capacity and you can FEEL it in his classroom! Students were excited, participating, engaged, and smiling! Great way to end the first week!

[Alexis Downham, Ed. S @ADownham]

@S_Bevel @BaysideMSVBCPS @GEICO @CISofHR @vbschools This is awesome!!! ❤️❤️