Our Why

Thank you to few colleagues that helped me solidify our why for TCEA.  The first leader was questioning why our school exist and when I limited our school to just "arts integration" he countered with the idea that the integration of arts ensured that ALL STUDENTS were able to access learning and succeed.  I know deep down that this is true but I was getting so "hung up" on the lack of arts integration in all rooms and the limitation of the arts to the arts team and integration studio, that I was stuck in the HOW of the Golden Circle.

I was then sent the link of this amazing school by a former co-worker.  I had seen this clip of Bates Middle School but had truly forgotten how powerful it is.  I kept saying "Our team isn't ready for this.  We are still working on the HOW."  How limiting my thinking had become! I was immersed in the struggle that I had lost sight of the finish line...the prize (referring to a song that was popular during Civil Rights Movement). We are ready to see this and I encourage you to view this video while thinking how the good things, you see, can be incorporated into TCEA.  There are tips for staff below the clip.  Please review because we will be visiting them again soon.

Tips for Teachers

Here are ways that teachers can maximize AI’s potential:

• Take advantage of professional development: PD serves many purposes. It can help teachers learn the fundamentals of various art forms and develop integrated lessons, and it provides them with the opportunity to experience art for themselves. The main reason teachers resist AI is because they think they’re not artistic. But with PD, they realize the arts are for everyone, and they come to better understand the experiences they’re giving their students.
• Use AI intentionally: At Bates, every teacher is required to use AI in some shape or form, although not every lesson needs to be, or should be, taught with AI. Teachers should use two main criteria for implementing AI:
• Look for a natural fit with the content. Don’t try to shoehorn it in, or it can make the concepts more confusing. “The idea behind arts integration,” says arts-integration specialist Pat Klos, “is that it opens a new door to understanding, so it has to connect with the content standard for it to make sense.”
• Identify where students are struggling. AI can be an effective way to differentiate instruction and break through with hard-to-reach kids. It provides a context that will help students build connections and gives them triggers for remembering the content later.
• Collaborate and brainstorm: Brainstorming is one of the best ways to develop arts-integrated lessons. Bouncing ideas off other educators within and across subjects and disciplines helps develop deeper lessons, and this is the goal of the daily hour of collaborative-planning time at Bates. As lessons get classroom tested and refined, teachers can build a repertoire of vetted lessons on a shared network drive.

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow!- Angela

Week of February 20-24, 2017

Monday, February 20

• No School (President's Day Holiday)

Tuesday, February 21

• Progress Monitor Green Students
• One on One Staff Mtgs Continue
• Hill at Principal Ready Mtg in Fayetteville (8:30-4:00)
• Peer Observations Begin
• PLC (Focus SST)
• 8:30-9:30 5th, 6th and 7th Grades
• 10-11 Kindergarten
• 12-1 1st and 2nd Grades
• 1-2 2nd and 3rd Grades
• Perspective TCEA Parent Mtg  5-6 PM (Admin Only)
• Family Fun Night 6-7:30 PM (For Staff Assigned To This Night)

Wednesday, February 22

• Progress Monitor Green Students
• Admin Weekly Mtg 9:00-10:15
• Substitute Orientation 1-2
• School Leaders Mtg 3:30-4:30

Thursday, February 23

• Peer Observation Training (If you need to know how) in Cafe 3:30-4:00

Friday, February 24

• 4th Grade Field Trip to Art Council
• Black History Program in Lobby at 2:15-2:45 (please pack up before program)