I, like millions of people, saw this speech and couldn't get it out of my head. I feel we want all of our students to be able to vocalize their feelings and thoughts in a way that it infects others and begins to create positive change. It does not have to be spoken word...it can be in any form and still be powerful. This teacher wants all students to realize their potential. He tells us to WAKE UP and to recognize the greatness that lies in all of our students. "The sky is not the limit. It is only the beginning." Please keep this phrase in mind as we work with our kids this week. We are tired. We are busy. More importantly...we are educators (all that work in this building). We set the tone. We are required to Finish Strong!!!
Have a great Memorial Day and see you on Tuesday!
Week of May 30-June3, 2016
* Jeans all week for staff!!!
Monday, May 30
No School!
Tuesday, May 31
Progress Monitoring Yellow Students
EOG Pep Rally at 1:30
Testing Meeting at 3:15 in Commons
Art Studio Exhibit at 3:30 in Cafe
Wednesday, June 1
EOG Math
Thursday, June 2
EOG ELA
Art Studio Exhibit at 3:30 in Cafe
Friday, June 3
EOG Science
And did I say DENIM all week?!? Please let me know if I missed anything or forgot anything!!!
It is easy to see the finish line and begin to "slack off" and just finish the race...not really caring how you finished or how digging deep might shave off a few seconds from your finish time. But a true professional does not view the finish line that way. A professional doesn't see the finish line as the end. They see it as another goal that they reach that will actually help them reach their ultimate goal...being the best ______ that they can be (fill in the blank).
Professionals in education see the end of the year as a reflection of their entire year and a time to assess their effectiveness as an educator... not just as time for summer vacation. I have worked with educators who made the last weeks of school a "free for all" where students just watched videos and played games all day which led to an increase in discipline referrals and set students up to be disciplined. But not the professional educators...their students were so engaged that many of them were sad to see the last day of school come.
Which are you? The teacher who keeps crossing the days off and submits plans that contain busy work or the teacher that knows how important the finish is and had planned reflection activities that allow for student voice and choice? Only you can answer that. And you can't blame anyone else for what happens in your room these next three weeks. As I have stated over and over again...
No day needs to be an "off" day between now and June 9thJune 10th is Field Day). Students should be encouraged to attend everyday. Movies will not become the norm because it is the end of the year. Do you think that Steph Curry stops training because it is close to the end of the playoffs? Ummm...NO! He actually trains harder. Are our students more important that a trophy and bragging rights? YES! So, you can not stop now! Please do not forget that we were classified as a low performing school so we definitely can not stop doing Good Work. If you have concerns or questions, please see me.
It is our duty to set the tone and to model the respect learning and education deserve.
Week of May 23-27, 2016
This week summatives and EOY PDP Meetings galore!!
Progress Monitroing Kids in Red (Optional- Had to let Grunden know)
Book Fair Preview Day (Buy one, Get one free)
Schedule for Previews 9:00 - Russell 9:15 - Lee 9:30 - McLaughlin 9:45 - Gibson 11:00 - Bryant 11:15 - Jones 11:30 - Vaughn 11:45 - Pearsall 1:00 - Falls 1:15 - Daniel 1:30 - Griggs 1:45 - Jackson 2:00 - Grunden 2:15 - Foxx
The bookfair will also be open Thursday and Friday afternoons, 2:30-3:30. (Do NOT send your students during the day Thursday and Friday to make purchases at the bookfair; we will only have volunteers there 7:30-8:00 and 2:30-3:30.)
Department Chair Mtg at 3:30 in Small Group Room
Thursday, May 26
Thursday (5/26), the FEO is hosting Muffins with Moms 7:30-8:00 AM so moms/grandmas can come in and purchase books with their student. (So, you will probably have a few students trickling in a few minutes late that day.)
SST Mtg at 3:30
Friday, May 27
FEO PJ Day
Friday (5/27), FEO will host Doughnuts with Dads.
This is a busy time of year so please make sure your ask questions, regarding the schedule, if you need to!
You might not believe this but this time of year is the not one of my favorite times of the year. I am not "good" at ending things. I struggle with transitions and I am the type of person that is always thinking about how I could have done something better. The goodbyes are tough and knowing that I won't see some of the kids next year is hard. Another challenge for me, this time of year, is that I am already thinking of next year and what I need to do differently to get better results.
As you can imagine, being in the present and in the future at the same time can be frustrating. You are ready to move forward and begin a new journey with new goals but you still have a duty to yourself and those you work with to finish strong. I have tried a few ideas, as a school administrator and as a teacher, to help end the year well while preparing myself for the next year. I really hope you use some of these ideas these next 4 weeks of school. They really are more helpful to you, as an educator, and to your students than showing another movie.
All of the next suggestions begin with building a master list. It has four categories:
A. Major things you will definitely do
B. Minor changes you will make
C. Major things you will never do
D. Minor things you will never do
1. Have students write essays based on the question: If you were the teacher in this classroom, what would you do differently and what would you do the same? Ask students to seriously think what helped them learn this year and what things distracted them for learning. Tell them that some things are off the table (rules, no HW, having to learn at all) and make sure they know that what they share is helping you be a better teacher. Younger students can draw pictures or even share during a discussion (small group or one on one). I will warn you. Just like I have to do when I receive feedback from adults in the building, you'll need to put on your "big girl (boy) panties (boxers) and receive the feedback and then use the information to guide your next steps. Remember: Your value doesn't decrease based on some one's inability to see your worth. BUT you're value can increase, in your own eyes, when you recognize a chance to grow and become a better version of you!!!
2. Hand our index cards and ask your students to list five things that you did that helped them learn this year and on the back, of the card, list five things that distracted them from learning. While they are doing their cards, take time and make a similar list and see if your can predict what they are writing.
3. Divide your class into small groups and give them time to role play you as a teacher. Ask them to recreate a lesson they remember you teaching. Watching the students "become you" is sometimes as painful as watching yourself teach but you will be able to see mannerisms and hear words used that you might want to add to your list of change.
4. Have the students write a letter to your future class about what they learned this year and how to have a successful year in your class/ grade. This is an awesome beginning of the year activity that your future students can do in August.
5. Have your class create a Class Yearbook where they review each month and list what they learned in each subject and what they remember about the topic. This is a good reflection activity for them as well as you. You might realize that a lesson you feel needs to go for next year might be the most effective and engaging lesson that kids remember.
As I shared earlier, these are ideas I have used since 2001 and was so pleased to run across someone using similar ideas on Edutopia. Hope everyone has an awesome week !
Week of May 16-20, 2016
Monday, May 16
Performance Series Make Ups
Reading 3D Assessments Continue
NO PLCS
SIT Mtg at 3:30 in Cafe
Tuesday, May 17
Arts PLC at 1:45
Performance Series: Vaughn and Jackson
LAST DAY FOR READING 3D ASSESSMENTS
Wednesday, May 18
Goal Turn In At PLCs: K/1-10; 4th-6th-11; and 2nd/3rd: 12:15
Performance Series: Vaughn and Jackson
BT Meeting in Cafe at 3:30 (Don't forget reflections)
I know that all on staff are not mothers but we all serve that "mother" role each day at TCEA to students and to co-workers. The definition of mother (verb) is: bring up (a child) with care and affection. So in honor of this special day and as present to myself, all the blog includes is this cute video. Have an awesome Sunday and I'll see you tomorrow!
Angela
WEEK OF MAY 9-13, 2016
observations continue
Monday, May 9
Reading 3D
One-on- One Meetings
Surprise Assembly at 1 PM for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in theater
Committee Mtgs in Cafe at 3:30 (all staff meet for quick reminders before attending committee meetings)
Tuesday, May 10
Proctor Training at 8am
Reading 3D
Arts PLC at 1:45
Wednesday, May 11
Reading 3D
Performance Series Testing
PLC K/1 at 10; 4th-6th at 11; and 2nd-3rd at 12:15
I received an email last week and it was focused on improving an organization's reputation. I really felt like this would be a good article to share at the beginning of the school year but after recent comments on social media I thought...now is the time!
Please take time to read the link below and watch the quick clip on another organization that received "harsh" feedback and the way they used this information to revise their "work" the become a better organization. I know that many of you might be saying to yourself "ignore social media...the "fake" person doesn't even exist". I get this train of thinking and it would make things a whole lot easier if we just summed up the complaints to something being wrong with those who complain. But we do need to dig deep and listen to the constructive complaints because our organization can only get better from reflection and active listening.
I know we're in the "short rows" of the year but any reflection on improving our reputation at any time of the year is a good one. I'd love to hear your ideas on this topic when we meet for our one-on-one meetings next week.
