The Bear Necessities
Sept. 17, 2018
Future Ready Learning
Did you fill out that survey yet? If not, please do so!! Our voice needs to be heard, there is an opportunity to type in the boxes...please type in the boxes!!
Staff Parking
Special Programs at GBEEC
I want you to first ask yourself what you would do if there were no special programs. We seem to have many students needing unique instruction including "Learning to Learn" behaviors. This is the basis of all early education and more specifically "Early Childhood Special Education". Exhaust ALL possibilities and then make sure to invite me to ANY and ALL meetings regarding the movement of a student to a special program.
I encourage you to plan for kids instruction like you were a stand alone program, which is how most of this state operates. Plan like there is no other classroom, problem solve like your room is the only option.
Please consider if your style and schedule is no longer working, be willing to make a change. I had an elementary principal tell me she gave her whole entire school permission to teach nothing but social skills and how to "do school" for the first two weeks...her teachers had to write down that she had given them permission. What does this tell us? Our kids are different, they do not have the "soft skills" needed to function with schedule, rules, peers, etc.
We know our kids are different than they were even 5 years ago, the big question to ask yourself is, do you teach/plan/schedule any differently?
Does your paraprofessional run a second shorter circle for those who can't handle your more traditional circle? Do you have your paraprofessional teaching those "Learning to learn" behaviors directly with that one or two students who need that true one on one coaching model? Are you running a different schedule for this little one than the rest of the classroom? Have you had other staff come look at this kiddo to give you tips or ideas? (OT/PT/SLP/STARS Tchr) The thing is: YOU'VE GOT THIS....you amaze me daily with the outside of the box problem solving things you do to meet kids needs.
Your job is tough, you want what is best for kids...but I hear a lot of talk about moving kids to our special programs, and it just can't be an option for most of them. So how do we do things differently? Happy to hear your thoughts!!
Faulkner's Pumpkin Patch
Early Education
Collaboration Teams
Where are they??
Tuesday - Jeanie at Federal Programs Conference, Kerry 3:00 mtg at SLC
Wednesday - Kerry sits down with KCUR for EC series they are working on and Parks and Rec Mtg, Kerry and Jeanie here and at 3:00 leave for PIE (Partners in Education Event).
Thursday - Kerry to Academic Leadership Team 8:00-11:30 SLC, then Jeanie joins for Elementary Principals Mtg. 11:30-1:00
Friday - 11:00 front office staff mtg (let me know if willing to answer phones/door), CPI Special Class 1:30-2:30