Sunday, September 24, 2017

#BeATeacher

                                                                                                                                                                 This week is a busy one for items due so enjoy this video clip and take time to remember why you do what you do on a daily basis (Thanks to Mrs. Russ for the suggestion.) Balance the items due with the importance of what you do and you will not only survive but thrive during the busy times.  This message is for me as much as it is for you so lets remind each other of this fact this week!! Hope you've had a great weekend and see everyone  tomorrow!!!





Items Due:

Integration Modules: 10/1 (see Brownlee Emails)
Readings for Teacher Workday: 9/29
Click HERE to see readings for 9/29

Chameleon Claps
From Ms. McLaughlin
Clough: For allowing me to use her room on Friday-afternoon for behavior concerns! Thanks!
Trojan: For handling all of my requests on a timely manner while multitasking!


Week of Monday, September 25- Friday, September 29

Monday, September 25
  • PLCs (SST)
    • Kindergarten 8-9
    • 1st Grade 9:05-10:05
    • 2nd/ 3rd Grades 10:10-11:10
    • 4th/5th Grades 12:50-1:50
    • Middle Grades 1:55-2:55
  • Observations Continue
  • SIT Meeting 3:30-4:00 in Hill's Office
Tuesday, September 26
  • Arts Integration Meeting 8-9 (we have asked volunteers to come in but we'll have to see if we have any)
    • Russ: Strimel Covers
    • Hughes: Falls Covers
    • Hoffman: Pond Covers
    • Clough: Lanham Covers
Wednesday, September 27


Thursday, September 28
  • Arts PLC 11:15-12:15
  • 2nd Grade Planning at 10:10-11:10
  • 4th Grade Planning at 12:50-1:50
Friday, September 29
  • Teacher Workday: Math Foundations (Attendance is Mandatory if you're an instructional teachers at TCEA).  Wonder if it applies to you? ASK ME.
Saturday, September 30

  • 2nd Day of Math Foundations: Must work to not have to work 11/20

    Please do not forget to turn in any volunteer opportunities to Mrs. Trojan so volunteers can be used.  A busy volunteer is a HAPPY volunteer!!!!




    Sunday, September 17, 2017

    The Backward Bicycle


    This past week in our PLCs we discussed a Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset and how no one truly has a Growth Mindset about everything. I truly appreciate you being open and honest and sharing your truth! I loved hearing that work YET over and over from your mouths. How powerful and wonderful that our students are learning from adults that truly understand that they don't have it all figured out and that none of us at TCEA is the finished piece we were created to be.

    This week in your PLC, you will review and discuss the curriculum for teaching a growth
    mindset, create a plan for modifying (if appropriate) and implementing the curriculum, and plan for giving and receiving feedback through peer observations.  We will not revisit these curriculum until October 11th so please do not get stressed about the observation plan moving forward.  Just focus on the mindset lesson and a plan for whom to observe and when will be shared next weekend.

    The video below talks about the process of unlearning something you knew to be true to replace it with a new truth.  This is a part of the Growth Mindset Process.  To improve you have to turn off that voice that tells you that you can't do something or that there is only ONE WAY to do something.  A close friend gave me a quote that I keep in my bedroom that states "Don't believe everything you think."  It is the first thing I see when I wake up and I have caught myself repeating it over and over to myself when I hit a brick wall.  I hope you enjoy the video and our work, this week, in PLCs.




    Hope you have had a wonderful weekend and I look forward to creating amazing learning opportunities for our chameleons this coming week!- Angela
    🦎👏Chameleon Claps🦎👏


    • From Ms. Akers: 
      • Shout out to Mrs. Williams for having her students practice their names before coming through the lunch line. It has made a world of difference - THANK YOU! 


    • From Ms. McLaughlin: 
      •  Cane- Thanks for being flexible Friday! I truly appreciate you allowing my students the opportunity to assist in your class. 
      • Honeycutt: Thanks for working on a schedule that will be helpful to our students. Your professionalism is greatly appreciated.
      •  Majka: Teammate "big" thanks for all you do to keep me updated! Thanks for the "inspiring" frame that I truly needed! You're my "rock star.
      •  Kline: Thanks for always sharing your "extras" with my class!
      •  Bullington: Thanks for subbing on Tuesday afternoon! My students really enjoyed having you.
      • Custodians: Thanks for replacing the coat racks in a timely manner.
    • From Ms. Caudle:
      • Mrs. Pond for just being awesome and always being there for me!
      •  Mr. Kline for his sweet words of encouragement! 
    • From Mrs. Majka:
      • Ms. Caudle. Her students were lined up in front of the café at Zone Zero, in a straight line, waiting patiently while their classmates finished getting water. Chameleon Clap to Ms. Caudle because even though I have not taught Kindergarten, I can only imagine it is not easy but her students looked awesome in line in the hallway! I gave them a compliment and wanted to give Ms. Caudle a Chameleon Clap for her hard work!
      •  Mrs. Clough and Ms. Hughes: I want to say thank you for holding your students accountable for their actions. I can only imagine how difficult Middle School can be but I appreciate Mrs. Clough having two students write an apology note to me and my class for their behavior. A thank you to Ms. Hughes as well, for instilling in her students the importance of stairway etiquette when teaching and learning are happening.
      • Ms. Norris for her patience and student engagement. My students are excited everyday, to go to Dance and thoroughly enjoy what they are learning from her. Thank you, Ms. Norris.
      • Mrs. Akers and Ms. Bullington for the patience and kindness you show my students day in and day out. Thank you for always being so welcoming to not only me but also my class. We appreciate your hard work and all you do for us!
    • From Mrs. Hill:
      • Thank you to Mrs. Trojan, Mr. Thomas and Ms. Akers for everything you did to make our First Annual Parents' Breakfast a success!! I gave you guys a vision and you truly helped it become a reality.  You allow me to keep dreaming and for that and much more...I thank you!
    Week of Monday, September 18-22, 2017
    Monday, September 18
    • Hispanic Hertitage Month 9/15-10/15
    • 7th Grade Has Announcements
    • Hill is Sub in Clough's Room 
    • 5th Grade Planning at 12:50
    • Reading 3D Continues
    • Board Meeting at 5:15 PM in Samuelson's Room 213
    • Turn in names of students who've not purchased planner
    Tuesday, September 19
    • Arts Integration Planning 8:00-10:10 (please be ready to discuss what you are teaching the next month and be open to integration opportunities)
      • 8:00-9:00= Magan/Poche-Falls, Cane-Lanham, Marshall-Strimel
      • 9:05-10:05= Samuelson-Carr, Ezzel -Akers, Fleming-Falls
    • Mr. Thomas at Test Coordinator Meeting
    • LuLaRoe Bus in Old Street Parking Lot (10% of sales go to the school and will help pay for staff incentives and activities)
    • 3rd Grade Planning at 10:10 AM
    • Middle Grades Planning at 1:55 PM
    Wednesday, September 20
    • PLCs
      • Kindergarten= 8-9
      • 1st Grade= 9:05-10:05
      • 2nd/3rd Grades= 10:10-11:10
      • 4th/5th Grades= 12:50-1:50
      • Middle Grades= 1:55-2:55
    • MTSS Training at Cumberland County Central Services (9-4): Hill, Thomas, Honeycutt, Pond, Falls
    • Samuelson at Beginning Teacher Training at Education Resource Center from 8-12.
    • Beginning Teacher Mtg 3:30-4:30 PM in 213
    Thursday, September 21
    • K Planning at 8 AM
    • 2nd Grade Planning at 10:10 AM
    • Arts PLC at 11:15 AM
    • 4th Grade Planning at 12:50 PM
    Friday, September 22
    • 1st Grade Planning at 9 AM
    • Admin Mtg 9-10 AM
    • Hill Leaves at 3:30 PM


    Reminders
    • Please make sure you arrive at school and are walking into school by 7:20; If you are going to be late you MUST send me a text.  Please do not try to avoid letting me know.  I always find out and would rather you let me know that someone else.
    • I will be in and out of classrooms during the next four weeks doing observations.  If you need me, send me an email and I will find you between observations.  I am scheduling the last observations (if you got be info late last week) and everyone should receive an invite from me by Wednesday. Let me know if I forgot you!
    • Please make sure you're following the Uniform Policy and Steps.  This is not optional. Does not apply to kindergarten students since they do not have to be in uniform. Questions? Check the VIP Folder under UNIFORMS
    • Please let Mrs. Trojan know when you're going to library as well as parents.  We like to put on school calendar so everyone knows where your class is.
    • Need Art Supplies? Please use this FORM.  The items are listed on each cart if they live there.  Please be respectful and not barge into to a teacher's space requesting supplies without following protocol.  I am guilty of this as well so please know this is one of those growth mindset moments... 
    • Integration Modules Reminder From Brownlee: 

    Creative Mindset arts integration training course: Click here to access via my dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ao8k9sa7cuq2ciw/AADkTlGFXZ9JbpXRk6U0S2Uua?dl=0

    Password: TCEAaitraining2017


    You can then download the folders to your own computer. 


    It is broken up by modules, with lessons and resources inside each module.  
    Please complete the modules and submit the lesson plan/video by October 1. Start with the READ ME file.


    Sunday, September 10, 2017

    The Power of Yet

    Earlier today, Mrs. Brownlee shared an article with us from Education Closet. Here is the portion that really builds on our conversation last week about the word YET...

    "My favorite is that "People often confuse a growth mindset with being flexible or open-minded, or with having a positive outlook".  Everyone is actually a mixture of fixed and growth mindsets - no one can be growing all the time.

    This is really powerful to think about.  No one can be growing all the time.  What a relief! Growing takes a lot of energy and work.  Being able to accept that we have a fixed mindset about some things is okay.  Knowing that this fixed mindset can be used as the place to begin to change and grow when we're ready is the key.

    The arts can be one of the most powerful ways to encourage and foster a growth mindset. There are many places where students have a fixed mindset that can be used as a springboard for learning.  "I can't draw" or "I only sing in the shower" are where we can find pathways for growth."  - Susan Riley
    This is a powerful way to see things and knowing that you can use what students can ONLY do as a springboard to places they feel ill equipped is an awesome strategy for success.

    This week we will officially begin our Math Growth Mindset PD in PLC.  Please complete the following activities before PLCs on Wednesday:

    1.  Please document the answers for the following statements and bring to PLCs (don't think too long while answering):  
    • One thing they’ve always been good at, 
    • One thing they think they’ll never be good at and
    • One thing they weren’t good at, but became good at over time              
    2. Watch these three videos (12 minutes total): Click HERE for videos


    Thank you for all you do and here are our Chameleon Claps for this week....

    Clap for Dena Akers for stepping up on her own time, day after day, to assist in the office with whatever need arises! I truly appreciate her willingness to help me when I am drowning in piles of paperwork.  Many thanks and all my love!! - Tabitha Trojan


    I would like to nominate Mrs Majka and Ms Mac for taking time out of their busy schedules to write letters of recommendations for my students who were applying for classroom jobs last week. 
    Mrs. Ezell

      My first one goes out to Mrs. Clough, Mrs. Russ, Ms. Hoffman, Mrs. Ezell, and Ms. Fleming for their rockstar teamwork during 4th-8th carpool dismissal. I want to thank them for making the dismissal process as painless as possible and for being awesome in their dismissal roles! You guys rock!
        My second one goes out to Mrs. Pond for being phenomenal Pond! She is an amazing team member and never hesitates to help out whenever and wherever she can. She also deserves a chameleon clap for being so fantastic with daycare dismissal and keeping things organized!
        My third one goes out to Ms. McLaughlin for being the kind of person, friend, and teammate everyone should have. Thank you, Ms. Mac, for all of your support you give daily, for sharing your knowledge, for keeping me sane when I lose my sanity a little bit, and for making me challenge myself in the area of Math. A true Marigold you are!
        My fourth and final one goes out to Mr. Kline for being the best Co-chair for our S.I.T. The knowledge, unique ideas, and talent he brings to the team is fantastic. He's a fantastic balance for my tend-to-be-serious-too-much, self. Thank you, Mr. Kline for everything you've done for our S.I.T. and for all of the laughs!
     From Mrs. Majka

    Shoutout to Haslem for being such an amazing problem-solver with our walker process..and for staying late one day to make sure our walkie talkies were working! Our process is going so much more smoothly because of your hard work! 

    Shout out to the whole walker duty team for having such positive attitudes and being such problem solvers during our first week! 

    Shoutout to Alyssa Lanham for being so willing to take on a tough 5th-grade girl conflict during the very first week of school! 

    Shoutout to Fleming and Ezell for being amazing team players and working to make our team consistent and collaborative!! 5th grade rocks!!! 

    Shoutout to Falls for covering my class on Friday! 
    From Mrs. Samuelson

    Congratulations to our new SIT Members:
    Sharon Honeycutt
    Beth Strimel
    Clarissa Hill
    Courtney Samuelson
    Caitlin Russ
    Tanya Johnson...

    and to our honorary members (must be on team)

    Alyssa Lanham
    Jonathan Thomas
    Mahlia Majka
    Brian Kline

    I look forward to working alongside each of you!!!



    Week of Monday, September 11-Friday, September 15, 2017

    Monday, September 11

    • Reading 3D Continues
    • Student Support PLC at 11 AM
    • 5th Grade Planning at 12:50-1:50

    Tuesday, September 12 
    • Art Integration Team Meetings
      • 1st Grade: 8-9 
        • Coverage: Johnson- Lanham; Stoffer-Strimel; Walker-Pond
      • 4th Grade: 9:05-10:05 Majka-Carr; McLaughlin-Bullington
    • 3rd Grade Planing 10:10-11:10
    • Reading 3D Continues
    Wednesday, September 13
    • Reading 3D Continues
    • BOG 3rd Grade Assessment (see Mr. Thomas's Email)
    • PLCs
      • K 8-9
      • 1st Grade 9:05-10:05
      • 2nd/3rd Grades 10:10-11:10 (if 3rd grade is still testing they are excused)
      • 4th/5th Grades 12:50-1:50
      • Middle Grade 1:55-2:55
    Thursday, September 14
    • K Planning 8-9
    • 2nd Grade Planning 10:10-11:10
    • Arts PLC at 11:15-12:15
    • 4th Grade Planning 12:50-1:50
    Friday, September 15
    • Volunteer Breakfast 8-9
    • Admin Mtg 9-10
    • 1st Grade Planning 9-10
    • Due Date for Observation Dates to Hill

    Monday, September 4, 2017

    In the middle of difficulty...

    This quote is an example of growth mindset.  Many people talk about growth mindset but this concept is truly a belief that all of us at TCEA (students, parents and staff) must have for us to be successful.  We are a school on the move and we know that we can only improve through a process of new ideas, practice and occasionally failures.

    A former colleague passed on this website that Amazon has launched that focuses all on the growth mindset in the area of MATH.  It's like this site has been developed for only us! The website can be explored here and we will spend about 15 minutes in our PLC on Wednesday discussing what this topic/process will look like in your grade level.   To prepare for our discussion, please listen and/watch this video as part of my determination to Flip our PLCs.  You will have to watch this video to be prepared for our conversation and work in PLC.


    The idea of improving our current practice and that it is not a fixed is the focus for our Book Study for the first trimester.  I hope to get books ordered by the end of the week and will be checking with each of you to see if you will be providing your own book or if I will be buying for your study.  The book is entitled The Talent Code and is by Daniel Coyle.  The deadline for this book completion will be 12.1.17.


    I hope you have had an excellent weekend and thank you for everything you did to make our first week at TCEA a success.  I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.    -Angela

    Week of September 4-8, 2017
    Monday, September 4
    No school in honor of Labor Day

    Tuesday, September 5
    • Dress Down in Honor of Texas: Staff can pay $2 each day or $5 for three days that they'd like to wear jeans/t shirt or school appropriate shirt.  Money will go towards school donation to Red Cross.  Money must be turned in to Mrs. Trojan by 10 AM each day or the $5 on the first day by 10 AM.  If any students donate money to the cause (see Friday's Chameleon's News) please turn in to front desk.
    • Arts Integration Team Planning for Kindergarten at 8:00-9:00 and 3rd Grade from 9:05-10:05 in the PLC Room.  You will need to bring your pacing guides and teacher texts to help plan for integration opportunities for the month.  Mr. Thomas will lead the first meeting.  I will lead the 2nd meeting.  The format will be as follows: Teachers will share the curriculum being taught for the month in ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies.  During this time, Arts Staff will be taking notes and asking questions as needed.  The Arts Team will then discuss how the Arts could be incorporated in the classroom as well as how the Arts Staff can support the curriculum in their rooms.  Minutes will be taken and placed in the Arts Integration Folder in the VIP Folder by administration. If materials are needed for projects, this will be documented here as well.  There will need to be specifics on co-teaching times to ensure that all are accountable for their parts.  This is a GROWING process so please bring an open mind and remain flexible during this time. K and 3rd Grade Teachers, you will have staff covering your room BUT you must leave them activities to do with your students.  ALL STAFF, please review this document now so there are no questions later.  Arts Integration Plan at TCEA
    • Reading 3D begins
    Wednesday, September 6

    • Dress Down in Honor of Texas: Staff can pay $2 each day or $5 for three days that they'd like to wear jeans/t shirt or school appropriate shirt.  Money will go towards school donation to Red Cross.  Money must be turned in to Mrs. Trojan by 10 AM each day or the $5 on the first day by 10 AM.  
    • PLCs (please be prepared for NCEES Orientation with computer and log on info for PowerSchool/ also need to know your planning day)
    • Kindergarten  8:00-9:00

    • 1st Grade    9:05-10:05

    • 2nd/3rd Grade   10:10-11:10

    • 4th/5th Grade    12:50-1:50

    • Middle Grades   1:55-2:55



      •  Staff MUST have your hrconnect information completed by the end of today; please see JOE if you have any questions/concerns
      • Reading 3D continues

      Thursday, September 7

      • Dress Down in Honor of Texas: Staff can pay $2 each day or $5 for three days that they'd like to wear jeans/t shirt or school appropriate shirt.  Money will go towards school donation to Red Cross.  Money must be turned in to Mrs. Trojan by 10 AM each day or the $5 on the first day by 10 AM.  
      • Substitute Orientation at 8:00-9:30
      • Arts PLC at 11:15 
      • Reading 3D continues
      Friday, September 8
      • Administrative Mtg at 9-10 AM
      • Spirit Day for students and staff
      • Reading 3D continues