The Bailey Times
April 9, 2018
What qualities do teachers need to possess to be a School Leader?
Teacher Leaders have a deep commitment to teaching and are dedicated to providing each student the best possible environment and tools for learning. They work with parents helping them understand the challenges their child may have with learning and ways that the teacher and parent can help. They engage coworkers for input on how to structure their lessons and styles to be a better teacher.
Teacher Leaders are passionate about teaching and learning! These teachers are always practicing their art and learning how to improve their techniques. They listen in class for opportunities to teach. They look for explanations that present several concepts and perspectives to the students. They watch their peers and learn from their teaching styles. They ask to be observed and for feedback on how to reach the students in their classroom. They are open to suggestions and to trying new things. They do not just do what is required they go above it and do not feel that it is a burden.
Example: Student is failing their math assessments. Parent is concerned when they receive these assessments. What should the teacher have done or should do in this instance?
Teacher One: The student should have studied more and I made sure the parent had all the information at home for the test. This is the student's fault and they need to try harder.
Teacher Two: While working with the student I noticed that they were having trouble with the multiplication of two-digit x two-digit. I made sure that in Tier 2 intervention that I pulled him and a couple of others for small group instruction and made sure that mom knew what he is struggling with and ways to work with him at home. Hopefully, this intervention will help close this learning gap before he fails an assessment. If he does fail an assessment then the first question I ask is, "What could I have done differently?" I know that students have to take responsibility for their learning but as a teacher, I have to look at my practice to find ways to reach those students that are struggling and find the "why" so it can be addressed and the gaps closed. I cannot just say too bad he failed the test!
Teacher leaders are committed to their profession and have similar qualities to leaders in other areas. They are not just thinking about themselves, but how their efforts will produce successes for all those teachers in the school. They will be involved in activities that improve teaching.
Teacher Leaders know the best way to be successful is to work with others to create a quality teaching environment. They maintain the respect of others for their high quality of teaching standards, and they give recognition to others for their approaches. They know they can't do it all by themselves so the teacher looks for others with the right skills to help and support. They also don't take all the credit for success. They share it with their team.
Teacher Leaders are great communicators. They know the best ways to interact with students, parents, faculty, and coworkers. They are skilled at listening and respect the opinions and ideas of others. This is a big one for teacher leaders! Many times people want to have a leadership position but they do not communicate well. They think that they would be a great leader but if others were given a chance to vote on it they would not be picked because they are not in touch with how they really come across. This is one of the hardest areas for teachers and one that is very difficult to bring up and talk about. They are great people, have great ideas but no one really knows and/or respects them.
Teacher Leaders embrace change. Every year the class profile will be different, the materials used in the classroom will change, the administration and policies change, etc. A great teacher knows this and anticipates change. They are courageous about trying new things and aren't hesitant to make adjustments until they are as effective as they can be. Change gives teachers the opportunity to perform their roles even better. So rather than waiting until they are directed, they seek out ways to improve.
So if you are wanting to be a teacher leader then reflect upon the following five traits of a great leader and if you see an area to work on then take the time to work on that area. The school needs great leaders but you have to show others that you are a leader so that they will believe in you and follow you!
1. Self-aware
2. Excellent communicator
3. Resourceful
4. Lead by example
5. Belief in the power of teaching and learning
Congratulations to Jennifer Boren!
Teachers are accepted from a nationwide pool of applicants, and if chosen spend a week immersed in the practice of teaching with primary sources from the collections of the Library of Congress. Each Institute week, Library of Congress education specialists facilitate sessions modeling strategies for using primary sources to engage students, build critical thinking skills, and construct knowledge. Participants reflect on and discuss how the strategies apply to their students, subject areas, and classrooms or school libraries, and design and refine a primary source unit to use with their students. Activities using primary sources will model strategies to build skills in observing, reflecting, questioning, determining point of view and more.
Participants also have opportunities to meet experts from the Library and research in the Library's reading rooms to gather information and resources to use in developing their activities. In the school year following the Institute, educators are expected to implement a primary source-based activity and share outcomes with Institute staff and their session cohort.Participants also have an option of completing additional work to pursue graduate credit in history from George Mason University.
Congratulations to Jennifer for being chosen as one of the few to attend this prestigious event! We look forward to learning from you!
We are at 85% on the state survey. Thank you very much! If you have not taken the survey please do!
Educator Survey - Please take a moment to complete this survey so that we will be represented in the state!
****This is the survey we do every year, please take time this week in PLC, grade level meetings or on your own to complete it!
Educator Survey Launch This Week
Audience: Directors of Schools, Principals, Educators
Contact: Isaiah.Bailey@tn.gov
The Tennessee Education Research Alliance at Vanderbilt University (TERA) and the department are pleased to continue in partnership to administer the annual Tennessee Educator Survey beginning this week. Every school-level educator in Tennessee is invited to share their perceptions and expertise on education issues affecting their classrooms and schools. All educators should have received a personalized invitation by today, March 7.
This survey will take up to 20 minutes to complete, and upon completion, participants will become eligible for a lottery that will award several $300 classroom support grants each week through April 20. After the survey closes, a separate lottery will be held to award grants of $2,000 to schools with the highest participation rates.
Survey completion is voluntary, and participants may decline to answer any specific questions within the survey. Individual responses are confidential and will not be shared or released. The department will share aggregated school-level results with school and district leaders by the end of May and will make all results publicly available here later this year. In order to receive this aggregated data, a school or district must obtain at least 45 percent participation.
You can find more information about the survey, including information about troubleshooting, here.
2nd Part of Principal Evaluation - April 10th
Reminder about IEP Meetings!
Upcoming April Coffee Chats!
Leadership Opportunity - Technology
Lausanne Memphis is hosting their annual learning conference on July 9-10, which focus
on teachers who are practicing engaging new ideas in the classroom, using technology
to implement project-based learning and real-world learning. Below is an opportunity for
educators to receive a discounted if they are interested in being a presenter at the
conference. At this time, they are accepting session proposals from teachers and want to
extend this opportunity to Collierville educators. If
you would like to propose a session, you
can do so via the link below. https://www.lausannelearning.com/ll-institutes/session-proposal/
If your session is selected for the conference, Lausanne will notify you to provide additional
details. Please note, those selected to present will be responsible for paying their own
registration for the conference; however, the registration fee will be significantly reduced
to $150 from $375 for the 2-day conference. Breakfast and lunch will be provided both
days. More importantly, teachers will have the opportunity to attend active learning
sessions where they can see the projects and ideas from schools around the country. You
can visit the conference website at www.llimemphis.com. Please contact Seth Burgess
(SBurgess@lausannelearning.com) if you have questions.
Educator Licensure Checklists
The office of educator licensure and preparation has created checklists for educators to use when applying for license transactions in TNCompass. Current educators may use the Licensure Renewal or Licensure Advancement checklists for transactions with their current licenses. Educators applying from another state may use the Out-of-State Applicantschecklist to apply for an out-of-state license. Please reach out toEducator.Licensure@tn.gov with questions.
Professional Development Points Guidance
In January 2017, the State Board of Education updated the professional development portion of the Educator Licensure Policy 5.502. These updates include how and when professional development points (PDPs) can be accrued, how they are submitted for approval, and who approves PDPs for the purpose of renewing or advancing an educator’s license. A table with the number of points awarded for various activities can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions for Educators and Frequently Asked Questions for Administrators documents. Please reach out toEducator.Licensure@tn.gov with questions.
Social Studies Item Review Committee
The department is seeking educators to participate in an item review for social studies for grades 3-8 and U.S. history, which will take place betweenJune 18-22. The time commitment ranges from 2-3 days, depending on the grade level of the committee.
In addition to the item review committees, a select group will be invited to participate in a first-time item writer workshop for U.S. history teachers. This workshop will focus on the written response item types and will provide teachers with insight into the U.S. history writing rubric, how to incorporate this rubric into instruction, and how to craft appropriate written response items for use in formative assessments. There is a place on the application for educators to indicate interest in this new opportunity.
All interested applicants should complete the online application (here) by April 18 at 11:59 p.m. CT. More information about these committees and the application process, including compensation information, is available on the department website (here). Please reach out to Lauren.Bardwell@tn.gov with questions.
Don't forget to turn in your intent letter (on blue paper) by April 20th!
Updated Apple Teacher List!
Cindy Tesreau
Deanna Jones
Miranda Manley
Brian Hailey
Carrie Moore
Nakia Powell
Jennifer Boren
Ashley Neugebauer
Kim Tunnell
Marci Nobert
Charlotte Crowder
Antoinette Curtis
Jodie Lavoie
Morgan Robbins
Renee Spiker
Ann Marie McCalla
Christian Hansen
Elizabeth Spurlin
LaToya Jordan
Leah Cook
Rheanna Baker
Ashley Billions
Toni Flynn
Susan Green
Casye Guyette
Neely Newell
Lauren Brewer
Megan Shaffer
Kristin Korthauer
Toni Pugh
Jenell Jones
Julie Meluskey
Kimberly Shepherd
Heather Volner
Beth Warren
Amanda Apperson
Jennifer Conti
Shannon Pelynio
Rachel Reese
Meredith Flynn
Melinda Ferrante
Michelle Miller
Ann Taylor
Brian Mitchell
Crystal Williams
Erin Reagan
Ron Clark Academy in May will include three BSE people!
Testing Maps Schedule starting April 16th
Professionalism Meetings
Check out some of these articles I read this past week as well as books that you might be interested in.
Month at a Glance
April 10th: Barnes and Noble Book Fair
Visitors will be in the building again as the 2nd part of the Principal evaluation. They will visit three classrooms of their choice starting at 9:30.
April 11th: PLC 2nd, K, 1st and I will be at Principal's Meeting all day
April 12th: Faculty Meeting at 7:30 ( important for all teachers to attend)
April 13th: 5th grade Biotech Day
April 16th - May 1st - TNReading/TCAP Testing 2nd - 5th grades
May 4th: 4th grade Pioneer Day 10:30 - 2:30
May 5th: Fair on the Square - Cub/Bear Chorus
May 8th: PTA Meeting 6:00 - Art Show 5:00
May 9th: PLC Meeting K, 1 and 2
May 10th: K-2nd May Day 10:00 - 2:00
May 11th: 3rd - 5th May Day 10:00 - 2:00
May 14th: Prek May Day 10:00 - 11:00
May 15th: 2nd Grade Musical
May 16th: 5th Grade History Fair Set-up/3rd Grade Talent Show @ 2:15
May 17th: 5th Grade History Fair/3rd Grade Talent Show
May 18th: Students vs. Faculty Basketball Game
May 21st: Spring Music Program 9:30 and 2:40
May 22nd: 5th Grade Luau 11:00
May 23rd: Kindergarten Program 9:30
May 24th: Last Day of School - Leave at 12:15