Iron Sharpens Iron

As individual educators we know our personal professional development needs. Today we are blessed to have access and exposure to a multitude of professional growth opportunities. Social Media has opened doors for us to learn, share, and grow as educators. We now have immediate access to Best Practices that we can comprehend, dissect, discern, then apply. We have our Professional Learning Networks to “bounce” ideas off of, to study alongside, and to cultivate professional friendships.

As a reflective practitioner, I look back on the traditional ways of learning and I see that it was beneficial. I am also reflecting on the way I am acquiring new knowledge today, and I have to admit that I prefer the personalized and immediate format and style of today’s PD.

Just a few ways to sharpen the iron…

EdCamp: The official “Un-Conference, the EdCamp experience will bring hundreds of educators together for a single day event. Where else can you get breakfast, lunch and over a hundred breakout PD sessions in a single day? All for free!

Twitter Chats:  If you have yet to take advantage of the Twitter Chat PD, now is the time to jump in. Chats are informal ways where we can learn and share with like-minded educators. In addition, is it also vital to our learning to dialogue with those who may not hold the same opinion, belief or educational practice.  Here is an extensive chat list compliments of: @Cybraryman1

https://sites.google.com/site/twittereducationchats/education-chat-calendar

Professional Learning Network (PLN):  This network will help expand the breadth and depth of your personalized learning. Join or create a PLN today.

Traditional Conferences: Although some may refute the need for local, state, and national conferences, they (in their own design) can bring a large number of educators together who possess a single focus.   I just returned from attending the Midwest Education Technology Conference (METC). I will be able to take back so much information to my school and district.

Shout Outs are in order for:

·         My Moderating Teams- #MOedchat (ModSquad) and #PTchatModerating team.

·         My Voxer PLNs- MO ModSquad, PTcamp, Leading in the Middle, and PTChat Moderators),   

·         Chats: #MOedchat and #PTchat

·         Midwest Education Technology Conference (METC)  

As “Iron sharpens Iron one man sharpens another” so we must continue to move forward on our journey and continue with the vital responsibility to “sharpen each other”. Make it a great day or not, the choice is up to you!

A New twist involving Student Voice

We often discuss the importance and significance of “student voice” in our schools today. This term can truly embrace several different components.  We know that students thrive when their voice is heard and their ideas incorporated within building practices, classroom protocols, and class lesson activities. What follows is the work to include student voice in building practices.

Last spring we began talking about ways to restructure, revamp, and revise the way we select our school’s Teacher of the Year and our Support Staff of the Year. Our Climate Committee met. And one idea that quickly surfaced included student voice in the new selection process. The Committee finalized the revised format and unveiled the new protocols this past August (’14). 

Our middle school decided to include students in the nomination process. So student, certified staff, and support staff can all nominate teachers for this honor. Within the student voice facet, the committee determined that 8^th graders would be included in the nomination process. As the 8^th grade students would be the group of students who would have had exposure to all grade levels, they would have the best student perspective for this process. Nominations concluded in December.  Finalists were selected from the nominations (top five in each category) and voting just concluded. Again 8^th graders and our staff voted. We will announce our 2015 Teacher of the Year and our 2015 Support Staff of the Year on Wednesday January 21, 2015.

The most exciting thing is how our school has honored student voice in an area where recognize outstanding work and contributions made by our certified and support staff personnel. So why not include student voice in this selection process? During the past few  years, following the announcement of our staff members of the year, students have been asking the question, “Why don’t students have a vote in our Teacher of the Year?” That question has been answered and now our students have a voice in this selection process.  Student voice consists of 1/3 of the final vote and staff voice consists of 2/3 of that voting process.

I am looking forward to the committee making these two announcements later this month. It will be the culmination of work from our Climate Committee and the voiced requests from our students.  What an exciting way to kick off second semester and 2015! 

Say goodbye to the “New Year’s Resolution”…

Each December, usually on the 31^st, I would create my list of resolutions for the new year. Needless to say, by the end of January, I have broken most of them or I’ve tossed them by the wayside.  One year ago today I was watching the Today Show with Al Roker and Natalie Morales. They interviewed Jon Gordon ( @JonGordon11) author of One Word that will change your Life. Jon shared his “One Word” initiative or project. Jon tells us to select one word that will guide and direct us throughout the new year.  For many that “one word” jumps out at you, for others it takes some soul searching. Jon explained the three step process: 1. Look In, 2. Look Up, and 3. Look Out.

Look In: What do I need? What do I want? What do I need to focus on?

Look Up: Look to God. There is a word that is meant for you. When you are “open” you will find this word.

Look out: Live your word. Make this word a part of your life.

So after watching the interview I selected my word for 2014 (Character). As a National School of Character I wanted to keep “character” at the forefront or top of my daily agenda. I wanted to make it intentional and purposeful. I wanted a simple daily reminder. Then I met with my administrative team and they each selected their word. We introduced the One Word initiative to our staff. This has helped each of us stay focused throughout the year. We even had teachers lead out the initiative in their Character Connection Classes.

So, now it is January 1, 2015, and my One Word is Dilgence (careful and persistent work or effort. Synonyms include: conscientiousness, persistence, rigor). This single word will help me achieve both my personal and professional goals. It worked for me in 2014 so I know it will do the same in 2015!

Here is the link to Jon’s One Word Website: http://getoneword.com/

This link takes you directly to the Poster creating site: http://getoneword.com/share/

Watch Jon’s Today Show interview: http://www.today.com/video/today/53957503#53957503

So my challenge to you today is to revisit how you use the New Year’s Resolution and rethink how “One Word” could transform your focus for 2015. Say Goodbye to the New Year's Resolution and say Hello to One Word.  Allow this very simple concept help transform and redefine how you can use a single word to provide direction and focus in all that you do! 

I look forward to hearing how “One Word” impacted your year.

The Magic of Technology Integration…

As a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school we are in our second year of working to further implement technology in the classroom from the student perspective. Meeting the students where they are allows us to empower them to use their devices when academically appropriate.  Today I visited several classrooms and among those classes I was able to visit two of our elective or non-core areas: vocal music and physical education. What I was able to witness was “the magic of technology integration”.

As I walked past the first choir room door I noticed the students sitting on the choir risers and as I entered the classroom our choir teacher was talking to the students. As I took my seat at a side table, our choir teacher didn’t miss a beat and led the students to the next facet of the choir lesson. Today they were analyzing their performances from last Monday’s Winter Choir Concert. With her AppleTV ready to go, and the Padlet website ready to roll, the students were ready to talk about their personal reflections. Multiple students accessed with Padlet website from their personal devices. It was so cool to see the students simply access their devices and open up the website                             (www.padlet.com ). Using the Padlet projection on the screen or their own devices the students were able to engage in shoulder partner discussions, small group, or whole class conversations! This educator has taken the next step in integrating technology in a student-friendly way that empowers student: learning, voice, and ownership.

Later in the morning I stopped by an  8^th Grade PE class. This time two PE teachers we in the middle of the Communicable / Non-Communicable Disease Project with their Health classes.  With the opportunity to use PowerPoint, Prezi, emaze, PowToon or any other presentation media, the students were given the freedom to create their educational journey presentation for the class.   During the health class each student presented their research. The students led out the presentations, the student audience led out the question and answer sessions and the two classroom teachers facilitated the learning experience. It was  exciting to see the students as lead learners in front of their peers. It was just as rejuvenating to see their peers engaging in the Q&A session with higher level critical learning questions.

The magic of technology integration opens the doors for all learners in all content areas. So when you are in doubt that technology integration is possible, simple reflect on these two examples where teachers pushed and challenged their students to take their learning to the next level. Simply believe in your students and your ability to use technology to enhance, supplement, and compliment the classroom learning environment. It is our responsibility to challenge our students to catapult their learning to the next level. I am looking forward to hearing of the messages and learning stories from your schools - as to how your school it using the "magic of technology integration" in the classroom setting!

Difference Maker...Change Agent...

Each of us has the opportunity to be a “difference maker” or a “change agent”.  This opportunity presents itself each and every day of the week. As parents, classroom teachers, administrators, and community members it is our responsibility to “seize the moment” and take full advantage of each and every teachable moment.

How can we do this?

Accentuate the positive: Look at the positive opportunities from each learning lesson. Remember that we all can learn from each “growth moment” in our day.  Failure is “ok”. We can learn from mistakes and turn those experiences into a new learning experience.

Access resources: Use proven, researched-based strategies to help move the learning process forward. We are surrounded by a multitude of strategies. Just select the one that works best for you (and your learners).

Networked Partnerships:  Rely on trusted colleagues for advice and support. Your Professional Learning Network (PLN) or your Professional Learning Community (PLC) are two reliable and dependable avenues to garner support and information.

Take Risks: It’s ok to try something new. As long as it is going to make a positive impact and meet the learners” where they are”, then it’s full steam ahead.

Whether you are working with Common Core State Standards, a new online teacher evaluation tool, a revised budget, your parent organization, you can take charge and lead your group, classroom, or school forward.  You simply need to be “that” educator who is ready to be the change agent for your school community.

Getting back to into the classroom…

As an educator I firmly believe in creating a learning environment and atmosphere that will empower both the classroom leader and the students.  Professional development opportunities provide time for our teachers to learn, study, and practice with proven strategies, methodologies, and technology. It is very important that we do not embrace change for change sake, but instead use advances in pedagogy and technology as ways to improve the delivery and application of our instructional work.

Two weeks ago I was approached by one of my teachers with a proposal that I could pass up. This teacher is part of the iPad initiative where our school district is working to introduce class sets of iPads for classroom use. She was beginning a unit on Standard of Living and spatial inequalities in her 6^th grade Geography class and wanted to create an assessment that would challenge her students, assess their knowledge, allow for student voice, and provide an opportunity for the students to integrate technology into the classroom.

As a social media and technology enthusiast, I was excited to learn of the proposal. I was going to be able to get back into the classroom and teach for a day. The students were going to learn how to use Prezi to create a multi-media presentation for the “Life is not fair…or is it?” project.

So I developed my lesson and focused on how I could teach the skills that each student would need to so that they could meet the lesson and unit objectives.

Here are a few things that I learned from my day in the classroom:

Model for your staff and students: Often we speak of “best practices”, technology, Social Media and Apps that can be used in the classroom. If you take on the role as classroom teacher (for an hour or a day), you can take the opportunity to put into practice the methodologies, technology, or social media facets that you promote and encourage the teachers to use and implement. For me I was able to teach the students how to use Prezi. The majority of the students were not familiar with this presentation tool.

Get back into the classroom: Each year administrators become “one more year” removed from the classroom. By seeking out or accepting teacher invitations, we must make time to return to the classroom where we can teach the students. It is important that our teachers see us doing this and it is just as important for the students seeing us as engaged leaders in the classroom.

Iron sharpens iron: We learn best when in fellowship with our colleagues. By working alongside the classroom teachers we both can grow and learn. As I was teaching, the classroom teacher remained in the classroom. We became co-teachers. We both offered ideas and suggestions each class period. She learned about the Prezi and how to integrate it into the assessment process. I learned how to work alongside the different student learning styles, personalities, and needs from the academic and student-centered perspective. I followed up by returning the next day to visit with one of the classes. I offered additional information and insights from yesterday’s lesson. The students shared with me the “things” they learned about using Prezi during the last 24 hours since we were in class together. Collaboration and learning from one another is always a great “best practice”.

So, my challenge to you is to find that opportunity where you can return to the classroom to teach alongside or to teach independently. Either way it is a rich, rewarding opportunity for not only yourself, but for your teacher and your students. I am fortunate that I work alongside such incredible professionals and motivated students.

I was able to take a day and return to the classroom and spend time with 150 of my 6^th grade students and a teacher who had the vision to invite me “back into the classroom”!

Connected Educator Month and the 3 Rs: Renew, Relearn, Rejoice

The month of October brings about many changes, choices, and celebrations …the fall season is in full swing, many schools are wrapping up the 1^st quarter of school, Fall Break is here, and it is Connected Educator month. For me October offers a time to reflect on the first part of the school year. It provides a Fall Break (which I immensely cherish) where I can spend time with my family, tend to a few chores around the house, and spend some time learning from my PLN.

This month on Twitter several chats have focused on connecting as educators. #Moedchat has dedicated all four of its October chats to this theme. #PTchat has worked to connect us with and to the different stakeholder groups in within our school communities (e.g. dads, students, ELL families, and even home visits). Also, Edcamps from across the country are focusing on connecting educators to our contemporary issues in education.

Here are my thoughts on the 3Rs:

Renew: Take time to renew your connection with colleagues. Take time to connect with your PLN cohort. Go deeper with your conversations and commitments to education. Join in with a chat that you’ve been missing out on. This week I renewed my connection with #MSchat. It was great getting back into the learning cycle with these middle level educators. Student motivation was the chat focus. During the #StuVoice chat (with #PTchat) it was great to see a renewed understanding of the importance of empowering student voice. The chat and GHO allowed students (and adult learners) to share, provide insight, and offer feedback.

Relearn: It’s ok to say, “I didn’t know that”. It’s even ok to “revisit” and to “brush up” on something you’ve been familiar with for many years. For me I am relearning information about McREL’s Nine Essential Instructional Strategies. I know the impact they have on student achievement. I am finding that I can now go “deeper” with my learning and understanding. Ultimately this means that my students will also benefit from my re-learning opportunities. I am learning that each strategy can truly impact student and adult learning if you take the time to dig deeper into how you can apply each strategy in the classroom.

Rejoice: Celebrate with your educational colleagues. Share the exciting things that are taking place in your school and school community. We learn from each other and we can all grow by learning about our Best Practices! I am finding that with my Twitter and Voxer PLNs that I am able to rejoice more often. I learn from colleague celebrations. @posickj has taught me to make each day the best day of the week. @GenieneD has a unique way of sharing student stories so that we all learn from all types of scenarios. @JoyWright91 has shown me the many ways to celebrate the work of each person I come in contact with. This list could go on and on. So to my PLN --- Thank You for rejoicing in the great works of your students, colleagues, and friends.

I look forward to hearing your stories from this month where we focused on the “Connected Educator”.