The Power of ICU with Garett Cook

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I'm excited to announce my Book Study. Get more info and join me here.

  • The Power of ICU - focuses on giving kids what they need when they need it. 
  • Bringing it all back to Tier 1. 
  • ICU Menu
  • Changing language - how can I help you, what can I do for you? 
  • Lifeguards - 7 Lifeguards
  • ICU time (Advisory/WIN/RTI time)
  • 9 departments - every subject is involved and every subject matters. 
  • 35 minute window - walk around helping students. Love beeps. 
  • About 75 students per teacher. 10 or so might be heavy hitters 
  • Teacher designed, for teachers by teachers. ICU Database. Parent communication. 
  • Healthy grading - learning target that’s easy to identify for everyone involved.
  • Tied to a learning standard. 
  • Humans not heroes.
  • This isn’t equitable when some teachers don’t have students. 
  • Blitzes - getting additional support from the Tier 1 teacher. 
  • Math access - Partial Teacher 550 hours in the school year. 
  • Menu of support
  • Depth of Knowledge - Maverik Education AI
  • Safety is the cost of doing business, not the number 1 priority. 
  • 100% completion rate of essential assignments.
  • Blitz day - 90 minutes for ICU at the end of the day. 
  • No homework school.
  • Key Stats: 
  • A/B Honor roll fall 2022: 248 students
  • Fall 2023: 376
  • Spring 2024: 439 kids
  • ODRs reduced by 34%
  • 70 Fs (75% decrease)
  • 99% completion rate. 
  • How to be a Transformative Principal? Servant Leadership - Serve your people better. 


About Garett Cook
Garett Cook has dedicated 15 years of his life to education, with nine of those years as a principal. His journey in education has taken him to various states, including Kansas, Missouri, and Texas, where he has left a lasting impact as an educator. Cook's core value is to be a positive influence on all individuals he interacts with, serving others through his actions. He strives to live out his faith in God through his daily walk, aiming to inspire and uplift those around him. Cook's passion for education and his unwavering commitment to serving others have made him a respected and valued leader in the field. See his previous interview here on Transformative Principal.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

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  • Simplify and streamline technology
  • Save teachers’ time
  • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
  • Improve student performance on state assessments
🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
The Power of ICU with Garett Cook