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Thursday, January 7, 2016
Teacher Tips for a Fresh Start After the Holidays
Welcome back! I bet that cup of coffee looks pretty nice right about now, huh?!? :) I hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing break and are feeling rejuvenated for the 2nd half of the year! Believe it or not, the 2nd half will go by even faster than the first! You all have already impressed me so much with all of your progress this year, and now that we have specific goals in place, I can't wait to see even more growth!
It will be important to start the year off right after break to get that momentum back and running. Even though some of these suggestions are geared towards elementary classrooms, the majority of these suggestions of how to start fresh after the holidays are a great reminder for us all!
It will be important to start the year off right after break to get that momentum back and running. Even though some of these suggestions are geared towards elementary classrooms, the majority of these suggestions of how to start fresh after the holidays are a great reminder for us all!
What's Next for Mentoring?
MENTOR OBSERVATIONS
Since we only have 2 more formal observations left, we can spread things out a little more! That being said, the first couple of months back are very busy for me, and I want to make sure we get our 5th observation and follow up meeting in before Spring Break. Please sign up for a time for me to observe that will help us both analyze your progress towards your goal. The link is HERE. Please sign up by Tuesday, January 19th.
MID-YEAR REFLECTIONS
Part of our mentoring program consists of completing a mid-year reflection, which you will find attached to your e-mail. It asks you to reflect on each teaching construct using the DEAP acronym, which is described at the top of the reflection sheet. If you can't find your teaching constructs, you can find them HERE. Some of your principals have asked to be a part of this reflection conversation. I will be reaching out to them today, and will let you know if we will be scheduling a conversation with them. If your principal does not request to be a part of this conversation, we will just talk about the reflection during our follow-up meeting after my observation. If your principal does request to be a part of the conversation, we will meet as their schedule allows.
ETMs
Don't forget you need to have all 4 of your ETMs completed with reflections written by May 1st! Directions for how to sign up and write your reflection can be found HERE.
Some up-and-coming face-to-face ETMs are below...
1/13/16- 6-12 Literacy Strategies Across Content
1/13/16- K-5 Literacy Strategies Across Content
1/21/16- 6-12 Instructional Strategies to Facilitate Engagement and Collaboration
1/21/16- K-5 Instructional Strategies to Facilitate Engagement and Collaboration
ETM PEER OBSERVATIONS ROUND 2 AVAILABLE!
A limited number of 2nd Round Observations are available for those of you who would like it! As a reminder, we would provide a half-day substitute and would go and observe a teacher together. Please let me know ASAP if you would like to do this so we can be sure to get you a sub!
Since we only have 2 more formal observations left, we can spread things out a little more! That being said, the first couple of months back are very busy for me, and I want to make sure we get our 5th observation and follow up meeting in before Spring Break. Please sign up for a time for me to observe that will help us both analyze your progress towards your goal. The link is HERE. Please sign up by Tuesday, January 19th.
MID-YEAR REFLECTIONS
Part of our mentoring program consists of completing a mid-year reflection, which you will find attached to your e-mail. It asks you to reflect on each teaching construct using the DEAP acronym, which is described at the top of the reflection sheet. If you can't find your teaching constructs, you can find them HERE. Some of your principals have asked to be a part of this reflection conversation. I will be reaching out to them today, and will let you know if we will be scheduling a conversation with them. If your principal does not request to be a part of this conversation, we will just talk about the reflection during our follow-up meeting after my observation. If your principal does request to be a part of the conversation, we will meet as their schedule allows.
ETMs
Don't forget you need to have all 4 of your ETMs completed with reflections written by May 1st! Directions for how to sign up and write your reflection can be found HERE.
Some up-and-coming face-to-face ETMs are below...
1/13/16- 6-12 Literacy Strategies Across Content
1/13/16- K-5 Literacy Strategies Across Content
1/21/16- 6-12 Instructional Strategies to Facilitate Engagement and Collaboration
1/21/16- K-5 Instructional Strategies to Facilitate Engagement and Collaboration
ETM PEER OBSERVATIONS ROUND 2 AVAILABLE!
A limited number of 2nd Round Observations are available for those of you who would like it! As a reminder, we would provide a half-day substitute and would go and observe a teacher together. Please let me know ASAP if you would like to do this so we can be sure to get you a sub!
About Dr. Orr
I have officially changed my name to Orr! My e-mail address for some reason hasn't changed over, but from what I understand, I will still get e-mails sent to that e-mail address even after they change it.
Email: cbowles@bluevalleyk12.org
Website: https://district.bluevalleyk12.org
Location: 15020 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS, United States
Phone: 913-239-4366
Twitter: @BV_Mentor