MoB (Matters of Business)
Edgewood's Weekly Staff Update for the week of 12/17-12/21
We are committed to the journey of developing EACH child to be an inspired learner and a caring, contributing citizen.
Learning Notes
- In the beginning I did not give enough weight to how complex (emotionally, physically, academically) children are, and how dynamic their inner lives are, so...
- I would look for "tricks" to manage the room when really it was about relationships. You don't use "tricks" in any other complex relationships (spouse, friend, etc) so I don't know why I thought that was the right move.
- I thought I had to be the most interesting thing they'd ever seen, but again, is that how you treat other people you value? No, rather than be super interesting, I needed to be interested...in my kiddos and all their complexity...
- Which led me to being less about trying to be a one-woman show (aren't I fun? Don't I make you want to do this work?) and instead making sure the WORK was engaging and interesting and WORTHY of these individuals.
- So it turns out it isn't all about being the MOST interesting, the MOST dynamic teacher, but in turn being deeply invested and interested in your kids and finding pleasure in the puzzles they present.
- The best teaching, it turns out, is the quiet and steady listening and questioning that comes when you care deeply about someone.
- I was all for the teacher as hero, teacher in costume, teacher as Teacher, but that ends up being all monologue. I don't regret the themes and the costumes and the other nonsense I did as much as I realize that it was all just noise.
- Relationships are complex and nuanced, teaching and learning exists within that relationship. There are no shortcuts, you can't make it all about you. The joy is in the shared moments and the care you feel for each goofy, complicated, joyful little kid you have in your life.
- In summary, human beings are complicated and unique, whether they are 5 weeks or 95 years old. There are no shortcuts and tricks, there is just compassion and empathy and relationship building.
Here's to the complexities.
TCB (Taking Care of Business)
- We've gotten lazy with Google Calendar (myself included). Please use it to schedule time in the breakout rooms rather than asking Ava to do it for you. Not sure how? Watch this 2 minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SseX7w0L_Is&feature=youtu.be
- Have you heard Sue and Sarah talk about Houston Kraft? Apparently he's the Justin Beiber for Character Education =). Anyway, he's doing a pre-conference section for the WI Character Conference @ Alverno on 6/19 from 1-4. Let me know if you'd like to attend, and I'll secure funds to send as many as I can. https://www.alverno.edu/assessment/characterconference/pre-conference-workshops.php
Academic Vocabulary with ELL
This strategy helps students understand complex texts by dividing them into groups and assigning different text for each group to become an expert on in order to share with peers.
Staff Shout Outs to...
- Becca- for covering recess duty.
- Joe-for safely crossing our students and parents across Layton Avenue, and dealing with impatient drivers.
Thanks to Jenna, Jennifer and Meg for creating and maintaining the Data Walls. It is great to have important information organized and easily at your fingertips.
Thanks to Chris Schulz for connecting us to math resources that can modify and strengthen our math curriculum.
To Carissa, for getting a 4.0 her 1st semester in her counseling master's program!
Shout out to the Sarah and Rebecca for sharing out their successes and challenges of working towards making learning goals clear and providing meaningful feedback!
Shout out to Jenna S. for always being solution-focused and positive!
Shout out to the third grade PLC for all the hard work during the Mystery Unit with goal-setting and feedback towards goals! Amazing growth from pre- to post-assessments! And we had fun along the way, too :)
Upcoming Dates
12/17: SITs, 1-3pm
12/17: Appetizers & Desserts for December birthdays!
12/19: Staff CTs (7:40) & Holiday Celebration (8:00)
12/21: SLAIT Meeting, 7:40
12/21: Snowflake Reveal @ Panther Pub (you're welcome even if you weren't a snowflake)
Next Week:
1/2: Staff CTs, 7:40 in the Learning Commons
1/2-1/31: STAR Window open
1/5: SOTM Breakfast, 8-8:30am
1/5: Assembly, 2:30pm