The Spark
National Teacher Development Newsletter May 2021
Updates and Resources
The Spark is a monthly newsletter where we share important updates, useful trainings, highlight the exceptional practices of teachers within our Stride network of schools, and most importantly share ready-to-use tips and resources you can implement in your online classroom.
In this month's issue, we are proud to share:
Building Community- Connecting with other Stride-powered educators, and getting inspired by each other's best practices
Resources and Instructional Strategies- Resources and ideas to implement into your live and asynchronous online instruction
Growth Opportunities- Opportunities for ongoing education and certification, helpful trainings, professional development, and learning opportunities
Important Updates- Informative updates to the curriculum and platform tools you use
Please enjoy, and visit The Spark Archive to check out online teaching resources shared in past issues.
Promising Practices
We want to highlight ALL the amazing presenters who shared their time and expertise for Promising Practices 2021. As you have been implementing the practices learned at our Ignite Transformation conference, take a moment to:
1) Thank a presenter!
2) Check out the Promising Practices 2021 Resource Hub in K12 Training.
3) Let us know how it's going in the classroom by filling out this survey.
Promoting Academic Growth the Last Week of School
Building relationships with students during live Class Connect sessions is very important no matter what time of the school year it is! Did you know that even during the end of the school year, there are still opportunities for fostering community and academic growth to send your students off into the summer? This Friday, May 7th, we are offering a session called the “Last Week of School Activities to Promote Growth” where participants will consider how the last week of school can still be a powerful learning experience for students; sign up here! You can also search “FRIDAY PD: Semester 2 SY2021” in K12 Training to enroll. Take a look at our other Friday PD sessions for the month of May and consider joining us. Check out our Friday PD series flyer here for more details.
Alicia Morales, Specialist, Talent Development & Community
Stride’s Employee Resource Groups
Every day, online learning gives Stride-powered students and families a safe space to find their voice and to discover and reach their full potential. The most effective institutions are the ones not only with the best talent, but that know how to keep that talent engaged, energized, and motivated for success. Have you been thinking about joining an Employee resource group (ERG)? ERGs can foster creativity and connection!
Check out Stride’s Employee Resource Groups
W.O.W: Women Empowering Women
Stride Ability Awareness Network
B.U.I.L.D: Blacks for Unity, Inclusion, Leadership, and Diversity
P.R.O.U.D: Positively Reflecting our Unity & Diversity
V.I.A: Stride Veterans in Action
H.O.L.A: Hispanic/Latino Organization of Leaders in Action
To join or find more information about these resource groups, check out Stride’s Diversity and Inclusion SharePoint. This D+I landing page will provide a calendar of activities to engage Stride's employee base; showcase the work of Stride's Employee Resource Groups; and share updates and actions in support of Stride's diversity and inclusion plan. You will also find these updates on the Stride imPACT Facebook group and in upcoming editions of the Stride Homeroom Newsletter.
Heather Lawrence, Specialist, Talent Development & Community
Level Up Your Learning this Summer!
Now that the busy school year is over it is time to focus on you! SNHU offers FREE courses for Stride educators that can serve as professional development, recertification, and even a full FREE M.ED in Online Instruction! Learn more by attending an informational webinar in May or June. Register at K12Training.com today!
Dionne Woods, Specialist, Talent Development & Community
Calling for Proposals for Promising Practices 2022!
Do you have a best practice to share? The Talent & Development Community is accepting proposals from April 19-May 17, 2021. All faculty, staff, and leaders are encouraged to submit a presentation for the February 2022 Promising Practices Conference. Click 👉here 👈to submit a proposal!
Elizabeth Ek, Tabitha Sekuras, and Meghan Seibert
Specialists, Talent Development & Community
PBL Project Presentations
It is that time of year where many classrooms are doing presentations. Presentations can be time consuming and challenging. Use these pro-tips from experienced PBL teachers when setting up your presentations for your projects/lessons.
Casey Rudzena, PBL Specialist
What WE Want to Know
Looking for ways to reflect, stretch yourself, and engage in some easy listening all at the same time? Tune into 'What I Want to Know,' a podcast hosted by our very own Kevin Chavous. This fruitful collection of conversations focuses on thought-provoking topics, ranging from engagement in the learning environment to equity and access. You can locate the series in your favorite podcast platform or app, or you can follow the link provided: http://www.kevinpchavous.com/podcasts.html. You can also participate in this engaging conversation via social media, using the hashtag #WIWTK.
Myiedra Adams, Specialist, Talent Development & Community
Full-Scholarship Seminar for Educators
The Cato Institute and the Sphere Education Initiative are excited to announce the return of Sphere Summit: Teaching Civic Culture Together for the Summer of 2021! Sphere Summit, a full-scholarship professional development program for grades 5–12 educators, will be offered both June 27–July 1 and July 25–July 29. The Summits will offer a hybrid experience, which will allow for both in-person and online attendance.
Those who are accepted to participate in the Sphere Summit and successfully complete the program will be eligible for the following benefits:
Access to exclusive conversations and events just for Sphere alumni
Early access to exclusive opportunities to bring Sphere professional development opportunities to their school
20+ hours of professional development, books, materials, lesson plans, and classroom resources
To preserve our liberal democracy, the Summit will explore what we as individuals can do to restore a spirit of civil, constructive, and respectful discourse and engagement. To that end, the Summit will empower educators with the knowledge and resources to reinvigorate civic culture and civil discourse.
Please visit the 2021 Sphere Summit for more information and program updates. For examples of past programming, please review the 2020 Sphere Summit.
Adam Blaylock, Specialist, Talent Development & Community
Newrow Release Timeline
Curious about when a feature is planned for release in Newrow? Click on the image to check out the latest timeline for some important projections regarding upcoming features. You can also add any ideas or suggestions for Newrow to consider!
Nancee Gendreau & Laura Davis, Specialists, Talent Development & Community
S.O.S Summer Break
The Stride Online Support system will be undergoing maintenance and updates to prepare for SY2122. We look forward to reopening on July 19, 2021. Have a wonderful summer vacation!
Kristy Engel, Training Services Manager, Talent Development & Community kengel@k12.com
Stride Skills Arcade New and Enhanced Teacher Reports - Early Access Coming Your Way!
The Teacher Reports area in the Stride Skills Arcade product is getting a facelift and some new reports to make it easier for teachers to navigate and easily locate the key data points to inform instruction. Starting April 30th, teachers are getting early access to try out the new design and report changes, and even provide feedback! During early access, teachers can easily switch back and forth between the old and new view, giving flexibility and time to get used to changes, prior to the cutover coming this July.
Did you miss the Stride Skills Arcade Learn, Know & Grow information sessions on April 20th and 22nd? Don’t worry! Recordings and materials can be found in K12Training.com and on the Learn, Know & Grow SharePoint page.
Jackie Witchko, Director, Product Management
Upcoming Learn, Know & Grow Sessions
5/4/2021, 11:00 a.m. EST ~ Elementary Teachers
Using the Formative Assessments in 2nd – 5th grade ELA/Math Courses
Join this session for a look at the formative assessments in the grades 2-5 courses. Learn how to access the reports and utilize the results to guide instruction.
5/6/2021, 4:00 p.m. EST ~ Elementary Teachers
New Grade 2 ELA – Deep Dive
Dr. Kristen Kinney-Haines will join this session to review the new 2nd Grade English course. The session will provide teachers with the pedagogical decisions that guided the development of the course and how teachers will utilize the new content.
5/11/2021, 11:00 a.m. EST~ Elementary Teachers
2nd Grade Math Demo
Join this session to see the finished course and take a tour with the course authors and developers. You will walk away from this session with links to the course program guide and other resources to help you prepare for SY21-22.
5/13/2021, 4:00 p.m. EST ~ Elementary Teachers
2nd Grade ELA Demo
Join this session to see the finished course and take a tour with the course authors and developers. You will walk away from this session with links to the course program guide and other resources to help you prepare for SY21-22.
5/18/2021, 11:00 a.m. EST ~ 5/20/2021, 4:00 p.m. EST ~ Grade 8 History Teachers with American History Pre-Revolution to late 1800s state standards
Grade 8 US History Course Demo
If your state History standards for 8th grade are American History Pre-Revolution to late 1800s, this course may be a great option. Join the session to hear more and see a demo of some of the lessons that team has built.
Jackie Witchko, Director, Product Management
Attention Second Grade Teachers – New Courses
Stride is excited that to offer new ELA and Math courses for grade 2. The courses have been reimagined to allow students to complete online work independently. The learning coach will enrich the experience not direct it. The courses have robust audio support. The English Language Arts course is a single course instead of the separate strands. Math is organized with instructional cycles from abstract to concrete.
The courses will be ready for teachers to view in the next couple of weeks. Below are some links to support materials to use in the meantime. Additionally, there are some Learn, Know & Grow sessions you may want to attend to learn more about these courses. Sign up for the session on K12Training.com.
5/6/2021 4:00 p.m. EST
ELA 2 Summit -Deep Dive into the Course
5/11/2021 11:00 a.m. EST
Math 2 Summit Demo
5/13/2021 4:00 p.m. EST
ELA 2 Summit Demo
Math 2 Summit Course Information
Math 2 Summit Course Information Document
Math 2 Summit Program Overview
Math 2 Summit Graded Assignments
ELA 2 Summit Course Information
ELA 2 Summit Course Information
ELA 2 Summit Graded Assignments
Anita Fiel, Product Manager
Teacher Developed Feedback Resources
Teachers have been asking for more clarity regarding the roles and expectations of Learning Coaches and Teachers in their partnership. I am delighted to deliver to you the Learning Coach and Teacher Partnership Guide, hot off the presses!
Please continue to share your feedback with us to develop meaningful training resources that work for your learning style and lifestyle!
If you have shared feedback, SWAG/ Badges will be to you no later than June 1st. You can still submit your feedback to earn prizes today!
Brittany Churchill, Production Specialist
Authors
Tabitha Sekuras
Article: Promising Practices
Laura Davis
Article: Newrow Release Timeline
Heather Lawrence
Article: Stride’s Employee Resource Groups
Kristy Engel
Nancee Gendreau
Dionne Woods
Specialist, Talent Development & Community
Article: Article: Level Up Your Learning this Summer!
Melissa Lucrezia
Specialist, Talent Development & Community
Article: Level Up Your Learning this Summer!
Elizabeth Ek
Specialists, Talent Development & Community
Article: Calling for Proposals for Promising Practices 2022!
Casey Rudzena
Alicia Morales
Specialist, Talent Development & Community
Article: Promoting Academic Growth the Last Week of School
Myiedra Adams
Brittany Churchill
Adam Baylock
Jackie Witchko
Article: Stride Skills Arcade New and Enhanced Teacher Reports - Early Access Coming Your Way! & Upcoming Learn, Know Grow Sessions
Anita Fiel
Newsletter Team
Adam Blaylock
Chelsea Wilson
Kara Woodley
Christine Spalding
Training Services Manager, Talent Development & Community
Newsletter Organizer & Editor