The Brave Experience
Blended Learning at Iraan-Sheffield ISD by Nikki Parker
October 3, 2019
Upcoming October Blended Learning Events
- October 8, 2019 - Ozona Blended Learning Showcase Visit
- October 8 - 9, 2019 - Coaching Visit with Engage2Learn
- Walkthroughs and Individual Coaching Sessions will be scheduled throughout the month
What is the Brave Experience?
"Teaching and learning frameworks are research-informed models for course design that helps instructors align learning goals with classroom activities, create motivating and inclusive environments, and integrate assessment into learning" (Yale University, 2019). The Brave Experience is the learning framework specifically created by Iraan-Sheffield ISD teachers, administrators, school board members, and community members during the 2019 school year to guide educators to support the students and the learning process within the school district.
The "BRAVE" component of the learning framework can be seen by the words that surround the icon: Building Relationships, Attitudes, Values, and Excellence. The design team focused on ensuring the learning framework includes components to support the development of the whole student by incorporating specific learner skills in the learning process. As part of this development process, the design team created a set of Cultural Tenets or beliefs. By modeling these cultural tenets as a teaching professional, we can help students build positive relationships, exhibit good attitudes towards learning, show value in their education, and experience excellence within each classroom. Every Classroom. Every Student. Everyday.
The circular design of the framework showcases the learning process that is instilled in classroom instructional. The process includes four main components: Engage, Initiate, Adapt, and Assess and Reflect. The Brave Experience One-Pager provides information about these components, including a description, learner behaviors, and teacher behaviors for each section. These components are placed around the school emblem in a way that represents a cycle. This is a reminder that the learning process is cyclical in nature. Often times, there may be sections of a lesson that include several iterations of the Adapt and Assess and Reflect sections before the unit is considered complete. In addition to these components guiding the learning development plans and processes, Iraan-Sheffield ISD has embedded the e2L Best Practices into each phase. These can be seen more through The Brave Experience flipbook, the ISISD Bowtie graphic, and the e2L Best Practices and Rubric. Future editions of this newsletter will showcase individual components from The Brave Experience.
"Teaching and Learning Frameworks." Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning. Accessed September 27, 2019. https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/BackwardDesign.
Celebrating Success within our Classrooms
Bright Spot Award Winner: Mrs. Brenda Perry (Iraan Elementary)
On September 9, 2019, Mrs. Brenda Perry was awarded a Bright Spot award during her coaching conversation with Engage2Learn's instructional coach, Robyn Scott. Mrs. Perry is the G05/G06 Mathematics teacher at Iraan Elementary. She received this award in the Best Practice of Differentiation and Scaffolding for her students. Mrs. Perry designs standards-aligned resources and learning experiences for varying ability levels of learners.
Congratulations to Mrs. Perry for receiving this Bright Spot Award!
Past Blended Learning Events (August & September)
- August 5, 2019 - Blended Learning and IXL Software
- August 6, 2019 - ISISD Blended Learning Workshop Showcase
- September 6, 2019 -- Executive Training for Principals with Engage2Learn (on-campus)
- September 8 - 9, 2019 -- Coaching Visits with Engage2Learn (two-days)
- September 18, 2019 -- Digital Leadership Academy for Administrators in Austin, TX
- September 24 - 26, 2019 -- Coaches Innovation Academy for Instructional Coaches in Austin, TX
- Walkthroughs and Individual Coaching was conducted throughout the month of September
Blended Learning Instructional Coaches
Nikki Parker
Email: Nikki.Parker@isisd.net
Website: isisd.net
Location: 100 S. Farr Street, Iraan, TX 79744
Phone: 432-639-3196
Twitter: @IraanAcademics
Lauren Kent
Email: Lauren.Kent@isisd.net
Website: isisd.net
Location: 100 S. Farr Street, Iraan, TX 79744
Phone: 432-639-2512
Twitter: @Laurenkent67
Ashlee Allen
Email: Ashlee.Allen@isisd.net
Website: isisd.net
Location: 100 S. Farr Street, Iraan, TX 79744
Phone: 432-639-2512
Twitter: @AshleeWAllen1
Melissa Bryant
Email: Melissa.Bryant@isisd.net
Website: isisd.net
Location: 100 S Farr Street, Iraan, TX 79744
Phone: 432-639-2512
Twitter: @melB1990
Have Technology Questions? Contact the Technology Department below.
Kurt Hanna
Email: kurt.hanna@isisd.net
Website: isisd.net
Location: 100 S. Farr Street, Iraan, TX 79744
Phone: 432-639-2512
Crystal Amthor
Email: Crystal.Amthor@isisd.net
Website: isisd.net
Location: 100 S Farr Street, Iraan, TX 79744
Phone: 432-639-3107