Professional Development
Syracuse City School District - March 2021
The PL Team is committed to coordinating efforts to provide daily opportunities for training and support for our SCSD Staff that would help them to maintain continuity in communication and learning for our SCSD Students & Families during the Covid19 Pandemic & beyond. The following is a summary report of that work for the past calendar month.
March PD Session Topics
The following professional learning offerings were available to staff in March:
- Weekly Demo Lessons by Content/Grade Level (235)
- AVID Strategies (1)
- Social Emotional Learning Integration (3)
- Trauma Informed Instruction (3)
- SCORE: Student-Led PD (6)
- Self-Paced PL Playlist (4)
- PL-LC 101: Learner Champion (1)
- PL-LC 102: Flexible Learning Environments (3)
- PL-LC 103: Flexible Learning Environments (4)
- The Person You Mean To Be Book Study (24)
- Learning Walks & Debrief Sessions (67)
- Learning Walk Inquiry Cycle Asynchronous Online Course (1)
- SCSD PL Coach Office Hours
Overall Rating: 1 (Poor) to 5 (Excellent) Stars - 4.63+
- It was very helpful to have a general "ask and answer" discussion session with the Department. Various individuals shared their knowledge on how to handle glitches in nearpod; how to use Ed Puzzle, etc. Very helpful!
- Thank you for the collaborative planning time.
- Very clear information give, and useful strategies provided during discussion.
- Pertinent information regarding upcoming learning modules and professional learning opportunities from teachers around the district.
- Presenter is organized, possesses great command of content knowledge, and she gave us time to apply the information.
- The student's did a great job! The staff actively participated in the discussions and constructive conversations we had.
- The asynchronous option is a great way to gain knowledge in a topic I need more support. I appreciate the options given every week and the resources available.
- Enjoy being able to discuss what is happening with everyone else. It is great to brainstorm solutions to challenges everyone is facing.
- The sessions always provide a space to share ideas around critical topics such as what is working and ways we can improve our instruction
- I found it helpful to brainstorm a list of things that need to be addressed/improved in our department.
- This session is very helpful for my own data driven decision making when planning lesson as well as student reflection on how they can support themselves.
- I enjoyed reviewing the resources and creating a virtual playlist to offer more student choice.
- It helped with the anxiety of coming back five days a week.
- It was so nice to see the domain lessons that are being pushed out and the importance of the topics. It makes me proud to be a teacher in the SCSD.
- Student-led! History! Discussion! Perfect PD.
- SCORE leaders are amazing. Very impactful conversation!
Constructive Feedback Quotes - March 2021
- I really wish we could start spending equal amounts of time on all areas rather than splitting it the way we are.
- I prefer to have 2 weeks worth of information given at Wednesday PD in case I want to get ahead!
- I do not think that these weekly sessions are beneficial or the best use of our time. We should be given time to run intervention groups, or small groups because of the major gaps due to COVID. Also, my students who in person are not using virtual lessons on WCNY and haven't used those in a long time and these updates do not pertain to me often.
- Can we get more strategies to help us do sprints with students remotely? Thank you!
- Remember we are still building relationships with students.
- Cool activity for students but was upset that my "choice" session only had one choice.
- A lot of the ideas shared were meant for older students and not geared for k/1.
- Please differentiate PD.
- This is material we have already been trained in as a veteran teacher.
- Time change not well planned.
Weekly Demonstration Lesson Sessions
Feedback Responses by Building/Program (4291)
Teacher Highlights
Kaitlyn Curry, Grade 3 ELA/Humanities Demo Teacher
As the 3rd grade ELA/Humanities demonstration teacher, I spend most of my time creating lessons and lesson materials for teachers and students to use both in person and virtually. When I am not working on these materials, I am working with a team of people revising and updating 3rd grade curriculum. Additionally, I am available for one-on-one planning, collaboration, and support for teachers.
I have absolutely loved transitioning into this role as demonstration teacher, it has allowed me to network and learn so much about other schools and teachers in the district. Getting to know other 3rd grade teachers has been an incredible honor. I have taught 3rd grade in SCSD for 5 years and have become very familiar with the curriculum but listening and collaborating with other educators has allowed me to learn how to make my practice better. I have truly loved working with teachers [both veteran and novice] to help make our schools and curriculum better for our students. While I have loved my role as a demonstration teacher, the downfall is not interacting with students every day or getting to see how they are interacting with the curriculum shifts. Teaching in front of a camera where no one responds back is a very different job. I miss the ins and outs of working with 8 year olds on a daily basis.
While this job is different than others I have done in the past, the most rewarding parts of my day are when teachers reach out and say thank you for something I have done to make their day easier, or they send me a video of their students doing something with the curriculum I helped change. I truly feel that I am helping to make the lives of our AMAZING teachers a little bit easier in a time where the world is spinning in circles right in front of our eyes.
Hayley Downs, Grade 7 Social Studies Demo Teacher
Weekly Choice Sessions
Feedback Responses by Building/Program (1385)
Breakdown by the Core 4 Elements of Personalized Learning
Self-Paced Action Research Playlist
SCSD Personalized Learning Office Hours
Learning Walks 21
Just before we closed our doors & shifted to remote learning last February, we facilitated the 2020 Learning Walks. The purpose of Learning Walks is to identify excellent personalized learning practices, spread those practices throughout the district & further develop a common understanding of PL no matter the model: in-person, hybrid or virtual. COVID-19 did not changed these goals! Learning Walks 21 focused on practices, strategies, and tools that have successfully engaged students in learning this year. More info: bit.ly/learningwalks21calendar
SyraFuse Fellowship Highlights
Fuse Syracuse (SyraFuse) strives to implement and scale personalized and blended learning across the Syracuse City School District by creating and training teacher leaders as change agents. The Fuse Syracuse initiative recruits a group of educators called Fuse Fellows for a 1-year fellowship. Fellows will be trained on personalized learning models and best practices, blended learning tools and strategies, coached on classroom implementation, and supported to establish their own “Lighthouse Classroom” to serve as a model of personalized and blended instruction in their building and district.
Fuse Fellows are passionate, curious innovators in their schools who model a growth mindset, and are open to trying new things and taking their practice to the next level. They are natural change agents for their schools, and welcome the opportunity to advance the field through their own leadership and instructional innovation. We are now working with cohort 5 of the fellowship!
Daniela Klamm, Salem Hyde Elementary School
"When schools closed back in March, teachers were forced to embrace the new way of reaching and teaching our students. At that time, Fuse Fellows took on a role to support teachers across the district. I was impressed by all their knowledge, expertise and more importantly their enthusiasm and positivity during unsettling times. I thought, “After 22 years of teaching, there is still so much more to learn!”. At that time, I decided to apply to be a Fuse Fellow. I knew that education was going to be more challenging for teachers and students alike, and personalized learning was going to be the master key to success! I often say, “Embrace the things you cannot change.” Therefore, I embraced the unknown and thought, “Now is the time, more than ever, that I have to bring my knowledge to the next level.” Fuse has helped me to expand my thoughts and strategies around personalized learning; I now have a backpack of tools and resources to help my student’s access, engage and express their learning.
When Fuse started, we focused a lot on Culturally Responsive Teaching and Social Emotional Learning. My Co-Teacher Dan Karleski (also a Fuse Fellow) and I discussed what we were learning and how we could apply it to our class. We conducted survey’s, home visits and spent time as a class completing and sharing “All About Me” activities. Our goal was to build a climate and culture where students could all learn together and feel a sense of belonging. Whether hybrid or virtual, we gave students daily opportunities to not only learn about each other, but also develop self-awareness, empathy and expand their perspectives to those with different backgrounds and cultures.
Fuse has been one of the best opportunities I’ve had to help foster my growth as an educator. As I started off the school year with so many unknowns, Fuse has been a consistent piece that has helped me grow and make the most out of a challenging situation. I am fortunate to be a part of an amazing group of coaches and teachers to collaborate with and help me move out of my comfort zone and continue to do what’s best for children!"
Don Gates, PSLA
Social Studies Teacher & SyraFuse Cohort 5 Fellow
Why did you apply to the Fellowship? "When we went into shutdown mode last spring, I had never used Canvas. The PL Team was helpful in helping me get my course into Canvas. They continually challenged me to improve and gave great feedback. I wanted to continue work with the PL Team."
What has been most meaningful/useful to you as a fellow so far? "Being a member of the FUSE community has been both meaningful and useful. The instructors have created an exceptional professional learning climate during a challenging time. Their enthusiasm and humor created a supportive atmosphere allowing fellow Fuse members to share their experiences, frustrations, and successes. I think the best evidence of this was learning walks. To be able to virtually drop in on classes was great. I think teachers felt confident in opening their classrooms because of the support of the FUSE Community."
What successes have you had with engaging students in hybrid and virtual learning? "I think the success is that its easier for students to see what work is assigned and can submit the assignment any time during the day vs handing in the work during class. Probably the most powerful piece for the students is the self-grading quizzes and the ability for them to take it multiple times. Its gives the students instant feedback on how they are doing. Also for students who miss a class, its easy for them to see the work that was assigned review the materials and complete the work."
What classroom highlight, advice, tip or success can you share with others to help them personalize hybrid/virtual teaching & learning? "On the high school level, students often had 4 online classes in row, with only 2 minute breaks. Research has shown that video calls can be mentally draining if your watching someone talk for long periods as their as delay between sound and body language. So I schedule frequent “screen breaks” with the students. I like to introduce student the topic, agenda, DIN, and then give students a break for them to work independently before we regroup after 15/20 minutes, review work /Q an A, break , work independently and return for closure. During student independent work time students can ask questions of me either through chat or talking."
What is your favorite strategy, tool, or technique for personalized hybrid/virtual instruction and how do you use it? "The Canvas quiz feature does not have to be used only as summative tool, it can used as formative tool. It gives students and teachers quick feedback – self grades (utilizing the advantage of computer)."
What is one take-away from Fuse that you have implemented in your classroom? How has it positively impacted your students? "Creating a Learner Profile. I haven’t used as much as I have, but I learned so much when created the survey in MS Forms. Not only did the survey provide a window into the student as learner, but it also gave me feedback on which activities the students found valuable."
What are your goals or next steps as a teacher-leader/Fuse Fellow? "I want to create a seamless classroom experience for students using Canvas in the coming year. I want to build upon the tools I learned last year that will allow me to maximize in person learning time (more individualized instruction) and students who want to dive in or review materials will be able to online to receive notes, lectures, and other additional materials. Lastly I to share my learning with colleagues at PSLA. I hope to stay connected to SyraFuse Community so I can continue to draw up upon them for ideas and inspiration."
Student & Family Support provided by SCSD School Librarians
Prekindergarten – Grade 12 Library Media Specialists in the SCSD provide helpdesk support to students and families in the SCSD. They are available between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday – Friday each week. Families are able to sign up for virtual help directly on the Syracuse City Schools Website.
Elementary Support Calendar & Stats
Elementary LMS Highlight
Douglas Petroff, Bellevue Elementary School
What are the best parts of the job? "Helping students and staff to be able to achieve their goals. Also, it has been great to finally see students in-person again, and to recommend the right book to a student. I greatly enjoy when a student tells me they loved a book I recommended to them."
What are the challenges? "For a while, it was not being able to see students in-person. I definitely missed having face-to-face communication with students and staff. Also, I sometimes have to remind myself to get up and walk, and to just spend some time away from a computer screen for a little while."
How does your work support teaching & learning? "I make sure staff and students have everything they need to be successful in their learning and teaching endeavors. Additionally, I try my best to provide staff and students with the tools and training they require to complete their educational goals."
Why is this work rewarding? "I’m able to view the progress both staff and students make towards their goals. Being able to help someone overcome a specific challenge in their life and to see the progress they’ve made toward becoming the person they want to be is rewarding."
What feedback have you received? How have you used it? "I’ve received mostly positive feedback for the work I’ve done. It’s not just me though. I’m constantly hearing about all the amazing work our library media specialists are doing throughout the district. I think our library media specialists represent a diverse group of exceptional educational leaders in our district, and also in our broader learning community."
What has been a highlight of this work for you? "It’s been amazing to see how well people have come together to adapt to change and to meet the challenges we’ve faced with a positive growth-oriented mindset. It’s crazy to think how far we’ve come in the past year. I think we’ve also created a great foundation to support our future instructional needs for both virtual and in-person learning. I’m proud to consider myself a part of such a wonderful community of students and educators."
Secondary Support Calendar & Stats
Secondary LMS Highlight
Jean Van Doren, Grant Middle School
"I have always thought of my position as a school library media specialist as more of an information specialist/facilitator, i.e., getting the correct information, materials, fixes to the students, staff, administrators and community as quickly and seamlessly as possible. During hybrid learning, providing information and materials has continued to be an essential part of our flex-learning model success. Throughout this unprecedented year, I have been able to support teachers in learning to use new tools, help posting information to our school’s online sites, as well as supporting our families in using technology tools that may have been confusing and bewildering.
I have always been available to my staff and students, before, during and after school for readers’ advisory, technology help, or just to act as a sounding board to work through issues. But the pandemic has opened my world to include many families and community members. I am often talking to parents, troubleshooting, walking them through the steps to access school tool, canvas, and Microsoft teams. During these tech sessions, I am able to remind the parents of how much I admire them, as they are working and helping to teach our scholars from home. The parents are always equally complementary about our school and our teachers. The tech conversations almost always evolve to a mutual admiration conversation. It is very rewarding, and I have immensely enjoyed developing deeper relationships with many of our families. I have also been able to work with our IT department more closely than in previous years. Once again, our mutual support and admiration for each other’s knowledge and skills has been an enjoyable experience.
The hardest part about being a school library media specialist during the time of Covid has been the social distancing protocols. I miss eating lunch with students! I miss helping students learn their locker combinations, working with my WEB leaders, talking about books, and teaching students. Pre-Covid, teachers would hold impromptu meetings in the library where we would share our successes and have frenzied strategy conversations, often leading to collaborative projects. Adjustments have been necessary to find other relationship-building activities, but that encapsulates teaching, adjustments and detours are never more than an inconvenience, we always find a way to reach our staff and students.
This is my last year as a school library media specialist as I am retiring in June. I have enjoyed my 25 years in the SCSD. There have been challenges and a few disappointments, but there have been so many, many successes, projects, and opportunities. Through the WEB program, I have watched 8th grade students grow into leaders, providing mentor relationships to our 6th grade students. I have facilitated tech clubs where student hackers have learned to become white hats and use their skills for positive outcomes. As I shelve books, I actually think of the books as Sophia’s book or Akousia’s book, because not only do I have a relationship with my
students, I also have a relationship with the books that they have shared with me! I have facilitated book clubs, movie clubs, gamers groups, and poetry slams, and in each group, we have all grown, academically as well as socially and emotionally.
The middle school librarians in the SCSD are dedicated to working together to increase our ability to provide quality instruction, ebooks and library books. Our twitter page, SCSD Middle School Librarians @SCSD_MS_Lib is our presence on social media."
Manami Tezuka
Syracuse City School District
Email: mtezuka@scsd.us
Website: http://www.syracusecityschools.com/districtpage.cfm?pageid=585
Location: 1005 West Fayette Street, Syracuse, New York 13204, USA
Phone: (315) 435-6358
Twitter: @SCSDPL