Summer Learning Series
July 6th, 2015 Session 1
Summer Series 1, is designed to address mindsets/perceptions and to help us become more aware of who we are as educators.
Intended Outcomes
- Know and internalize our vision
- Develop a common language and understanding of poverty, race in America and the term, "At Risk" on an introductory level
- Discover your personality type and begin to understand how your personality type influences your interactions as well as your perceptions
Part 1: Our Vision
Growing successful global scholars while fostering a passion to learn, transform and navigate the world in which they live!
Part 2: Mindsets/ Perceptions
What are our mindsets when it comes to teaching and interacting with "At Risk" students, understanding poverty and race in America.
At Risk
At Risk
Take a look at the pictures above which picture would you normally associate with the term, " At Risk" ?
What is your definition of, " At Risk Scholars" ?
What are these scholars at risk of?
How do you interact with at risk scholars?
If they are "At Risk", how do we get them to become, " Non At Risk"?
Is "At Risk" a code word for something else?
Reflect upon these questions, ask yourself how would I answer each question and how would I begin to connect my line of work to the thoughts around this concept of teaching, " At Risk Children" ?
Action Item (ALL ) - 15 mins
Read the article below. The purpose of this reading is to create a clear understanding of the term, "At Risk". In moving forward we have to understand all children are truly at risk of something, therefore, we should not label a specific group of students. Labeling students can be dangerous.
Poverty
Action Item (ALL) - 20 Mins
Please read the following articles on Poverty in America and poverty effects on school aged children.
Why Race Matters
Action Item (ALL) - 30 mins
Watch the 2 videos and begin to internalize why race matters and how can you as an educator use the power of one's race, culture and unique identity to help create an empowering culture in your classroom.
Why race matters and how to talk about it: Alex Kajitani at TEDxEncinitas
Why diversity is not enough to reach real integration in schools: Prudence Carter at TEDxStanford
Action Item (ALL) - 50 mins
Please read the following pages from Diversity, Community and Achievement
Pages 5-46
Pages 70-91
The reading will be sent in a separate email.
Suggested Reads
To further develop your mindsets in regards to race and poverty students the following books are suggested.
100 + Educational Strategies to Teach Children of Color
By Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria
By Dr. Beverly Tatum
Start Where You Are But Don't Stay There
By H.Richard Milner IV
Part 3: Personality Types
Myers Briggs
In order to help grow others we must invest in ourselves and truly know ourselves. Below is a link to the Myers Briggs Personality test. Please take the test and read about your personality type in regards to the workforce and discover how others may perceive you.
Action Item (ALL) - 10 mins
Please take the Myers Briggs test below.
Action Item (ALL)- 5 Mins
Once you are finished record your Myers Briggs Personality type. Please send me an email with your personality type by July 20th. Thank you!
Why does is this Information Important
Our mission is to make our scholars and ourselves understand and believe impossible is nothing and that tough times create tough and courageous people who can achieve as long as they commit themselves to achieving what they believe.
In Closing
Understand that our mindsets are what drive us to make decisions, within a day we as educators make over 10,000 decisions, each decision we make effects kids, therefore, we must adjust our mindsets to understand that ones' social economic status, race , gender, current achievement level is not a barrier in terms of them achieving.
Extra Content
All Kids Can And Will Achieve !
Event Information
New Teacher Orientation
All New Teachers are required to attend the New Teacher Orientation presented by the District.
When?
Monday, Aug 10, 2015, 08:15 AM
Where?
Wilson Learning Center, Tulsa Oklahoma
Event Information
Micro Training
From August 13th -14th we will engage in 2 days of learning at Cleveland Middle School. We will leave Monroe together and travel to our Micro Training. Departure time is TBA.
When?
Thursday, Aug 13, 2015, 12:00 AM
Where?