FMS Leaders as Lifelong Learners
Celebration of the commitment to their own learning
FMS Teachers and Staff dedicated to their own professional development
Jim Knight, author of Unmistakable Impact, calls this Praxis. He says, "When teachers are passionate about learning, their love of growth and development rubs off on students, and often infects them with the same passion."
Below are just some of the many examples of how hard Florence Middle School teachers and administrators work to develop their own craft.
Below are just some of the many examples of how hard Florence Middle School teachers and administrators work to develop their own craft.
FLCN District- wide learning
Monday may have been a "day off" for our students, but not for our teachers! They spent the day learning at FLCN: Falcon Learning Conversations Network
Power of Learning Targets
At FLCN, teachers engaged in powerful conversations about the power of not only using learning targets in their classes, but ways to engage students through the use of these targets.
Importance of quality questioning
Teachers also looked at different types of questions, and worked on creating quality questions that help our students think deeper and have more meaningful learning.
Understanding ourselves through assessment
Learning about and capitalizing on Our Strengths
FMS faculty and staff learn about their individual strengths through Tom Rath's Strengths Finder 2.0. We are and all unique. The use of this tool allows us to recognize our strengths and to celebrate the qualities each of us possess. Even though we have different approaches, every one of us has talents that help our students, and learning more about who we are as an individual helps us use these talents to the best of our ability.
Color Personality Test
In addition to learning about our individual strengths through the Strengths Finder 2.0, we also learned about how our "Tru Colors" impact how we work with one another and our students. After learning about this for ourselves, we also used this inventory with our students to help us understand their individual learning styles and needs.
Some of the Florence Middle Staff currently working on advanced degrees -- Thanks to Impact 80 Advanced12
Continual learning about our students
Through the RTI process, ongoing formative assessment, and review of data, teachers learn about their students. This includes collaborative discussion about best practices for what works for students.
Research based learning
Teachers continue to grow through book study of research based practices. They also use resources such as the Teaching Channel and our district's own Teach Learn Connect to reflect on quality teaching methods.
Collaborate classroom visits
Teachers use their planning time to engage in collaborative planning with their peers. They also participate in walkthroughs to learn from one another.
Teachers never stop learning
I know some people think teachers "get summers off"....but that is far from the truth! These are just a few of the pictures from the many learning opportunities teachers attended this summer. They were engaged in district-led professional development about pacing, backwards design, and data notebooks. They delved into their content standards through Laying the Foundation, Discovery Education, and more. They learned strategies for engaging and developing all learners at RTI and SREB. If you are reading this, and you are a teacher, take a moment and know what a difference you are making in the lives of our students. If you aren't a teacher, take a moment and thank one!
Florence Middle School, Florence City Schools
Website: http://www.florencek12.org
Location: Florence, AL, United States
Twitter: @jillae0823