The Other Gap

As we enter into February and we look back at recent events in the news surrounding race, I really feel like the issue of the NC Teacher Diversity Gap is a topic I needed to discuss today.  The only way to improve social ills and issues is to TALK ABOUT IT (or blog about it).

The lack of diversity has an impact on students and although our school has more teachers of color than the state average, we have a gap in female teachers vs. male teachers.  Our male students need to see themselves in the teachers teaching them on a daily basis.  Please take a few minutes to view this story and then, if you feel inclined, send me an email about what you pledge to do to make a positive change in this issue.

It can be as simple as starting a Future Teacher Club for males at TCEA...

Or it could be identifying males and students of color you have in your class RIGHT NOW and telling them you see them as a teacher when they get older...

We, educators, know who we want working with us and working with our students. Who better to help change the course our state is currently on?

I encourage to embrace the entire role of educators.  We are supposed to be leaders outside of our classrooms as well.  As a wise School Board Member for Forsyth County told me..."Education always has been as always will be political. It's just we have politicians making all the rules...we need to have educators telling politicians what to do".

Thanks for all you do and thank you for bringing your entire diverse self to TCEA (unknowingly or knowingly).  I know our success can be traced back to the staff to the diverse group we are blessed to have. Have an amazing Sunday and see everyone tomorrow! -Angela

Week of Monday, January 28- Friday, February 1

Monday, January 28

• Arts 4 Rotation Begins K-5th
• Hill covers Person for Birthday
• 4th Grade at Library at 9 AM and 1:15 PM
• Ms. Hughes will be using cafe for lesson between 9:15-10:25
• 5th Grade Planning 10-11
• Planning for Middle Grades ELA/Humanities (Motsinger, Fiore, Connors) 2-3
• Planning for Middle Grades Math (Ezell and Clough) 2-3
• TCEA Board Meeting 5:15 PM in Ms. Scriven's Studio

Tuesday, January 29

• Instructional PLC 8:30-9:30
• Ms. Hughes will be using cafe for lesson between 9:15-10:25
• Covington at HomeBase MeetUp 9:30-3:30
• TED ED Club Interest Meeting with Mrs. Hill in Lobby at 11:30 for Middle School Students (Ms. Hill will come and collect students at 11:30 for meeting)
• 3rd Grade Planning 12-1
• Arts Integration Team Planning Meeting 1-2 in Ms. Ward's Studio
• 5th Grade
• Scriven-Samuelson
• Bigler- R. Brown
• Planning for Middle Grades Science (Ezell and Hughes) 2-3

Wednesday, January 30

• PD PLC with Dr. Ward (EC Accommodations/ Modifications)
• Kindergarten and 1st 8-9
• 2nd Grade 9-10
• 3rd, 4th and 5th 12-1
• Arts PLC 1-2
• Middle School 2-3
• Pay Day$$$$$

Thursday, January 31

• Hill covers Williams for Birthday
• Kindergarten Planning 8-9
• 2nd Grade Planning 9-10
• 4th Grade Planning 12-1
• Arts Integration Team Meeting in Ms. Ward's Studio
• Middle Grades
• Motsinger- Falls
• Fiore- Hill
• Conners- Thomas
• Hughes- Lanham
• Ezell- Covington

Friday, February 1

• Kindergarten Planning 8-9
• First Grade Planning 9-10
• 3rd Grade ELA Unit 4: Figurative Language & Poetry Post Assessment
• 6th Grade Integer & Rational Number Reasoning Post Assessment
• MU Program in Payton's Room 2-3
• Variety Show tryouts- Payton in theatre 3:30-5:00

🦎👏 Chameleon Claps🦎👏

From Ms. Majka:

My first shout out goes to Mrs. Hill and Mr. Thomas-thank you both for the constant encouragement you give. I appreciate your time and effort you put into helping me be the best that I can be for my students. Mr. Thomas, thank you for rearranging your schedule to fit your being able to sit in on my parent meeting. I truly appreciate it a lot.

My next shout out goes to Ms. Covington. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for helping me transfom into a teacher that has made model drawing a semi favorite for my students during fractions. All of the time you take to help me and answer my questions has truly affected my students in the best way possible. Thank you!

My 3rd shout out goes to the 3rd grade team: Mrs. Weir, Mrs. DeNoble, and Mrs. Miller, thank you all for being part of my village. I appreciate the smiles, the positive daily reminders, and the laughs.

My 4th shout out goes to the Kindergarten team: Ms. Caudle, Ms. Johnson, and Ms. Williams. Thank you all for the positive encouragement regarding my being a first time kindergarten parent. Thank you all for being a listening ear to my worry about my son and thank you for what you all do everyday. Ms. Caudle, thank you for everything you do every second of every day not only for my son but for your entire class. It never goes unnoticed or unappreciated in my eyes. You're a rockstar and I couldn't have asked for a better Kindergarten teacher for my son. 

My 5th shout out goes to Ms. Mac. We've taught together for 3 years and I am extremely fortunate that our paths crossed. You are the most phenomenal sister teammate in the world. Thank you for the encouragement, the constant support that I never have to doubt, EVER!

My 6th shout out goes to Mrs. Cane, Mrs. Ezell, Ms. Mac, Mrs Akers (and mom), Ms. Covington, Mrs. DeNoble, Mrs. Weir, Mrs. Miller, and Ms. Caudle, <------My village: I wouldn't quite be where I am or who I am without my village.

Huge shout, 7th, out to Mrs. Pond who is always there with a smile and listening ear. Thank you for your constant never ending support and encouragement.

Final huge shout out to Mrs. Lanham who without hesitation covered my class on Friday so that I could support my little guy in Friday's mural unveiling. Thank you so much!

From Ms. Hill

A big chameleon clap to Mr. Falls for doing a good job of executing the High School Fair and the Mural Dedication. Truly appreciate it.

Thanks to Mr. Haslem, Mr. Falls, and Mr. Kline for handling carpool duty with me out Wed and Thurs AM.

Thanks to the Admin Team for having my back when I must be out and helping me feel ok with not being able to do it all.

Thanks to Ms. Lanham (and our new wonderful Social Worker Intern) and the 7th Grade Team (Clough, Ezell, Motsinger, Fiore) for two successful 504 meetings for middle school students in need.

Thanks to Ms. Covington for supporting a fellow charter school with TLaC training.

Thanks to Mr. Kline for leadership with Builder's Club and organizing/consolidating the field trip to FSU.

Thanks to Will for being flexible and honest and supportive.

The Audacity to Believe

This week I had the pleasure of talking to a colleague about our whys.  I was so pleased when this wise woman shared her reason for doing what she does because it is the same reason as mine...education is an equalizer.  All students have a right to a quality education. Period.  I think that's why I have always looked up to Martin Luther King, Jr.  He spoke of equality.  He marched for equity.  He was jailed for his desire to be treated as all human beings should be treated-with dignity and respect.

As we speak to our students this week, please go a bit deeper than years past about his life and what he stood for.  He was much more than the " I Have a Dream" speech.  He was not loved by all when he was alive (many people that call for equity are not loved by all...especially those that have more to lose when making a level playing field).  He fought for financial and job equality. He talked about the issues many of us stray away from in person and even on FB.  He called out evil and reminded people of the truths our country was founded on. Our students need to see that like all normal people, even civil rights leaders were more than a few words and the facts of their lives. 

Don't know where to start? I love King in the Wilderness documentary.  There is a free version on YouTube if you search for it.  It is not kid friendly but can give you, as an educator, more to speak about.

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

I hope everyone has had a great weekend and you'll use tomorrow for a DAY ON (Service) and not just a day off!  Unsure where you can volunteer? Check out a site here to find places of service. 
See everyone Tuesday and if you see a mistake, please let me know!- Angela

Week of Monday, January 21-Friday, January 25, 2019

Monday, January 21

• School closed in honor of MLK, Jr. Holiday

Tuesday, January 22

• Grades due at 8 AM for Progress Reports
• Mrs. Trojan out for birthday (Hill Covers)
• Lesson Planner Training and Breakfast in Cafe 8 AM- 9 AM
• 🌞Sunshine Committee will meet in Ms. Weir's Room at 9 AM
• If you are in Math Training she'll follow up with you at another time
• Mr. Thomas at Testing Meeting
• Math Training in cafe 9 AM- 2 PM (lunch from 11:30-12:30); all staff that teach math will need to attend unless you've been excused by me.  Anyone interested is welcomed to attend.
• Open Enrollment Begins!
• High School Fair in Lobby 6-7:30 PM- Middle School Teachers, please send out a dojo to remind parents about the fair. You can direct them to post on Dojo for details

Wednesday, January 23

• Hill at meeting in Raleigh 7:30-11:30
• i-Ready ELA 1st and Kindergarten
• Candle- Cart A
• Williams- Cart B
• Johnson- Cart C
• Brown- Cart D
• Person- Cart E
• Campagna-Combination of extra laptops from carts in addition to classroom desktops
• MTSS PLCs
• Kindergarten at 8-9 facilitated by Ms. Pond
• 2nd Grade at 9-10 facilitated by Ms. Pond
• 1st Grade at 10-11 facilitated by Ms. Pond
• 3rd Grade at 12-1 facilitated by Ms. Samuelson
• Middle Grades at 2-3 facilitated by Mr. Falls

Thursday, January 24

• MTSS PLCs
• 5th Grade at 10-11 facilitated by Ms. Samuelson
• 4th Grade at 12-1 facilitated by Ms. Samuelson
• Hill out 1/2 day (AM)
• Kindergarten Planning 8-9
• 2nd grade planning 9-10
• Arts Integration Team Meeting in Ms. Ward's Studio 1-2 PM
• 4th Grade
• Majka- Riffle
• McLaughlin- Akers
• Mid Term Progress reports - trimester 2 Go Home

Friday, January 25

• 5th Grade Math Cluster 4 Assessment
• i-Ready Makeup 8-11
• Kindergarten Planning 8-9
• Hill and Covington Visit Paul R Brown Leadership Academy 8:30-1:30
• First Grade Planning 10-11
• Mural Ceremony: We will FB live it so any classes that want to watch can!! 2-2:30 PM
• Arts Team need to submit any grant ideas to Hill by end of day

🦎👏 Chameleon Claps🦎👏

From Ms. Akers:

Thank you for perfect lunch counts this week.

Thank you!

Caudle

Person

Williams

Weir

DeNoble

Miller

Majka

Motsinger

Fiore

Clough

Hughes

From Ms. Caudle:

Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Pond- thank you both for being very supportive during a parent/teacher conference. I appreciate you both. 

Mr. Kline- thank you for covering my class. You are an angel! 

Ms. Akers- thank you for always listening and for simply being you. You make my days easier! 

Mrs. Majka- thank you for giving up planning time to assist kindergarten with testing! We love you!!

From Ms. Hill:

Thank you to Ms. Ezell for the outstanding idea of using the whiteboard at the alarm!!!

Thanks, in advance, for Mr. Falls leading up the high school fair.

Thanks to my K-3 Carpool Team for working our new system and always keeping a smile on your face and laughing to keep from crying!!!!

Thanks to all early adopters of lesson planner. I'll see you at 8 AM in cafe and looking forward to feeding you your breakfast choice.

Creativity is Contagious

Thank goodness you do not have to wake from a comma to be able to come up with something new and innovative!!  (you'd have to watch the video to get this reference) This time of year many educators want to renew their classrooms or refresh what they have been doing.  Don't just throw everything out and begin from scratch...just be creative and tweak what you're doing.  Struggle with creativity? Check out this this quick article about 20 things teachers can do to increase their creativity.

Wondering how to add a bit of VEGAS to your lessons or have a HOOK to get your students' attention?  I know I have struggled with this and knowing where to look for videos that would engage students while relating to what I was going to cover for the day.  I ran across this resource and thought I should share it with you!

The resource is called Great Big Story and can be found at www.greatbigstory.com and I hope you find it useful.  I used this site to find my hook video for this blog today.

I hope everyone has had an amazing weekend and I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! - Angela

Week of Monday, January 14- Friday, January 18, 2019

*2nd round observations for returning/experienced staff continues

Monday, January 14th

• i-Ready ELA 8th and 7th grade
• Hughes- Cart A
• Ezell- Cart B
• Clough- Cart C
• 4th Grade to Library 9 AM and 1:15 PM
• MOY Reading 3D Continues
• 5th Grade Planning at 10 AM
• Planning for Middle Grades ELA/Humanities (Motsinger, Fiore, Connors) 2-3 PM
• Planning for Middle Grades Math (Ezell and Clough) 2-3 PM
• SIT Mtg in Majka's Studio at 3:30 PM

Tuesday, January 15th

• i-Ready ELA 6th grade/Makeup Day
• Connors Cart A
• Fiore- Cart B
• Motsinger- Cart C
• MOY Reading 3D Continues
• Mr. Thomas is Ms. Fiore for Bday
• Strimel and Samuelson at MTSS Mtg in Lumberton
• PLCs (Data & Intervention Focus) facilitated by Ms. Covington
• 5th Grade 10-11 AM
• 4th Grade 12-1 PM
• Middle School Humanities 2-3 PM
• 3rd Grade Planning 12-1 PM
• 2nd Grade AIT Meeting in Ms. Ward's Studio 2-3 PM
• Cane- Pond
• Acosta- Strimel
• Marshall-Lanham
• Planning for Middle Grades Science (Ezell and Hughes) 2-3 PM

Wednesday, January 16th

• i-Ready ELA 5th and 4th grade
•  Majka- Cart A
•  Mclaughlin- Cart B
•  Fleming- Cart C
• Bigler- Cart D 
•  MOY Reading 3D Continues
• Hill covers McLaughlin for Birthday
• PLC (Data & Intervention Focus) facilitated by Ms. Covington
•  8-9 AM: Kindergarten
• 9-10 AM: 2nd Grade
• 10-11 AM: 1st Grade
• 12-1 PM: 3rd Grade 
• 2-3 PM: Middle School (Science and Math)
• Beginning Teacher Mtg in Ms. Cane's Studio 3:30-4:30 PM

Thursday, January 17th

• 5th Grade Math Cluster 5 Pre Assessment 
•  MOY Reading 3D Continues

•  i-Ready ELA 3rd and 2nd grade
•  Weir- Cart A
•  Denoble- Cart B
•  Cane- Cart C
•  Miller- Cart D
•  Acosta- Cart E
•  Marshall- Share between the 5 carts.  

•  Kindergarten Planning 8-9 AM
• 2nd Grade Planning 9-10 AM
• 4th Grade Planning 12-1 PM
• 3rd Grade AIT Meeting in Ms. Ward's Studio 1-2 PM
•  DeNoble- Riffle
•  Weir- Thomas
•  Miller-Covington
•  Optional Faculty Meeting 3:30-3:45 PM
• FSU Presentation 3:45-4:15 PM 

 Friday, January 18th

• 3rd Grade Math Cluster 4 Post Assessment
• 6th Grade Making Sense of Coordinate Planes Pre Assessment
• i-Ready Math 1st and Kindergarten
• Candle- Cart A
• Williams- Cart B
• Johnson- Cart C
• Brown- Cart D
• Person- Cart E
• Campagna-Combination of extra laptops from carts in addition to classroom desktops
• MOY Reading 3D Continues
• Kindergarten Planning 8-9 AM
• Instructional PLC 8:30-9:30
• First Grade Planning 10-11 AM
• Give Me Five due by noon

🎉It's HERE!🎉

Lesson Planner is up and ready for use.  Please refer to the email entitled Lesson Planner Early Adopters for more information on how to be an early adopter and what's in it for you!

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That's because they were able to connect experiences they've had and synthesize new things."- Steve Jobs

🦎👏 Chameleon Claps 🦎👏

From Kline: To Covington for this awesome play set to match the one Majka gave me.  They will be used in K-2 for kitchen settings in scene work.  Thank you both!

From Akers:  Thank you to the following staff members for perfect lunch counts all week.
Johnson

Brown

Caudle

Person

Williams

Campagna

Weir

DeNoble

Marshall

Majka

Scriven

Connors

Reminders

• When you're out, if possible please make sure that parents of the students you serve know.  That can be a simple Dojo or not in agenda. Sometimes they send last minute messages that you don't see (because you're out) and if affects how they get home.
• Also, please make sure substitute teachers are aware of students and their services (especially if EC).  Substitute teachers should know when students are being picked up and by who.
• Please do not start to pack up until 3 PM (K-2 students) and 3:05 (3rd-8th). 

Happy 2019!

Happy 2019! I hope everyone has had an enjoyable break and that you're refreshed and focused on where you want yourself and your students to be in June 2019!



Last year I encouraged you (the staff that was here last year) to pick one word for 2018.  I picked the word COURAGE and as I reflect on 2018 there were many moments where I had to be courageous and "ante up and kick in" (in the words of my husband).


I started the year off by deciding to run for a seat on the Harnett County School Board. Politics is not for the timid and I was definitely stretched.  As you know, I did not win the primary but I did have a few victories: (1) I disrupted the false narrative surrounding charter schools; (2) I hopefully encouraged educators to speak out about what is happening to them and their students in the world of policy and politics; (3) I stepped out on faith and did what I was called to do and my daughters saw their mom not only talk about taking risks but they were involved in the process and saw how I stuck to what I believed in.

Courage...it definitely has not been easy but I am a better human because of it.


This year my word is relinquish.

Definition of relinquish

transitive verb

1: to withdraw or retreat from: leave behind

2: GIVE UP; relinquish a title

3a: to stop holding physically : RELEASE slowly relinquished his grip on the bar
b: to give over possession or control of : YIELD; few leaders willingly relinquish power

I have always been a Type A personality and I promise you I had a list of all I was to accomplish by 40 completed at age 25.

Running at top speed and trying to be everything for everyone has been the result of this list.  Did I accomplish all on my list? No; Did I accomplish things on the list I had never dreamed of completing and doing way back then.? Yes.

This year I want to not worry so much about where I will be in 1 year...5 years...or 10 years BUT where and more importantly...WHO do I want to be today and how am I walking the walk that I proclaim to be about.

So...

I relinquish the need to be perfect and get it all right.  I relinquish the desire to make everyone like what I say and do.  I relinquish the overbearing and unreal expectation that I (and I only) am responsible for the success of each student I serve.

Yes, I will strive to still give every student the high level of education each deserves but remember that I am not the lone person responsible for their success.  It takes a team. It takes a community. It takes a drive, developed in a student by surrounding adults.

This year will involve reflection and action while remembering that the present is all that is promised.

I challenge you to come up with a word for the year or create a personal vision statement for 2019.  

I am looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow and once again...HAPPY NEW YEAR!🎉🎉

- Angela 

Week of Monday, January 7-Friday, January 11, 2019

No PLCs This Week

Observations for NON BT Staff Begins 1/8/19

Monday, January 7

• What makes coming back a bit easier? A JEANS Day! Enjoy!
• MOY Reading 3D Begins (K-3rd)
• 5th Grade Planning 10-11
• Planning for Middle Grades ELA/Humanities (Motsinger, Fiore, Connors) 2-3
• Planning for Middle Grades Math (Ezell and Clough) 2-3

Tuesday, January 8

• MOY Reading 3D Continues
• iReady MOY Begins
• Math (7th and 8th)
• Hughes- Cart A
• Ezell- Cart B
• Clough- Cart C
• Admin Mtg 9-10
• 3rd Grade Planning 12-1
• Arts Intergration Team Mtg. 1-2 in Ms. Ward's Studio
• Kindergarten
• Caudle- Akers
• Johnson- Strimel
• Williams- Pond
• Planning for Middle Grades Science (Ezell and Hughes) 2-3

Wednesday, January 9

• MOY Reading 3D Continues
• EC Staff Workday with Dr. Ward (New EC Consultant)- No EC Pullouts or Co-Teaching
• iReady -6th Grade
•  Math
• Connors Cart A
• Fiore- Cart B
• Motsinger- Cart C

Thursday, January 10

• MOY Reading 3D Continues
• i-Ready 
• Math 5th and 4th grade
• Majka- Cart A
• Mclaughlin- Cart B
• Fleming- Cart C
• Bigler- Cart D
• Kindergarten Planning 8-9
• 2nd Grade 9-10
• Substitute Orientation 9-10 (if you know someone's who wants to sub, please have them contact Ms. Trojan to register)
• 4th Grade Planning 12-1
• Arts Integration Team Mtg. 1-2 in Ms. Ward's Studio
• 1st Grade
• Person- Falls
• Campagna- Samuelson
• Brown- Hill
• Department Chair Mtg 3:30-4:00 (Who wants to host us?)

Friday, January 11

• MOY Reading 3D Continues
• i-Ready 3rd and 2nd grade
• Math
• Weir- Cart A 
• Denoble- Cart B
• Cane- Cart C
• Miller- Cart D
• Acosta- Cart E
• Marshall- Share between the 5 carts. 
• Kindergarten Planning 8-9
• First Grade Planning 10-11
• Submit Give Me 5 Students by NOON on 1-11-19

Missions for January 2019

must be completed and documented by 2.3.18

Arts:  Review Arts Integrated Lessons executed so far this year.  In the one area where you have not done much integration, plan an arts integrated lesson and reach out to the Arts Staff Member in that area for guidance. After teaching the lesson, drop a quick lesson description and a picture of student work here.

Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a Jeans Pass.

Academic: Complete a goal setting activity with your students (or any students you work with). To document this activity snap a picture of a student artifact or class goal sheet and drop here. Need ideas? Check these out...

• https://ideas.classdojo.com/f/becoming-a-goal-setter
• https://www.weareteachers.com/goal-setting-for-students/
• http://www.coloradoedinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/GS-6-8-model.pdf

Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and an early leave (3:00 PM) or late arrival (8:00 AM) pass.

Culture: Send a positive behavior referral to Mrs. Hill's box for at least two students you serve or work with.  

Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a visit from the Hoot! Hoot! Wagon

Personal: Using the padlet write your one word or misison statement for 2019.

Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a Coffee/Tea Delivery to your room/office.