The Spark
National Teacher Development Newsletter, Winter Edition
Updates and Resources
The Spark is a monthly newsletter where we share important updates, useful trainings, highlight the exceptional practices of teachers within our Stride network of schools, and most importantly share ready-to-use tips and resources you can implement in your online classroom.
In this month's issue, we are proud to share:
- Growth Opportunities- Opportunities for ongoing education and certification
- Building Community- How to connect with other Stride-powered educators
- Teacher Highlight- Sharing the amazing things Stride-powered educators are doing
- Teacher's Lounge- Resources and ideas to implement into your live online instruction
- Teacher Toolbox- Tips and resources for setting up for success this school year
- Learning Continuum- Helpful trainings, professional development, and learning opportunities
- Products and Courses- Informative updates to the curriculum and platform tools you use
Please enjoy, and visit The Spark Archive to check out online teaching resources shared in past issues.
The Talent Development & Community Team
------------------------------------------o--------------------------------------------
Growth Opportunities
Looking for an amazing opportunity for personal and/or professional growth? Need college level courses from an accredited university for recertification? Stride and SNHU have a unique and exciting partnership offering an M.Ed. in Online Instruction with 100% tuition covered for eligible candidates.
For more information attend one of the Information Webinars hosted on Wednesdays in January and February 2021 at 11:00 and 3:00 pm EST. Visit K12training.com and enroll in a session by clicking on the "Master's in Online Instruction from SNHU" banner at the top. Also, click on the image below to watch our informational commercial!
------------------------------------------o--------------------------------------------
Building Community
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for excellent resources, instructional strategies, and inspiration.
@K12TalentDevelopment (Instagram)
@K12TalentDevelopmentandCommunity (Facebook)
------------------------------------------o--------------------------------------------
Teacher Highlight
Meet Staci Dillon from Alabama Virtual Academy (ALVA), elementary teacher and member of the K12 Teacher Ambassador Program.
Ms. Dillon is totally obsessed with her job as a virtual teacher and it shows through the tips, resources, and videos she shares on social media. Staci creates interactive lessons that engage and interest her students.
One of her favorite traditions as a teacher is writing why she is thankful for each of her students. Check out Staci Dillon’s TikTok video showing how she celebrates her students. What an awesome way to build relationships and class community!
Follow Staci Dillon on Instagram, @all.about.that.class, for videos, resources, and tips to engage your students.
By: Tamika Washington, Specialist, Talent Development & Community
------------------------------------------o--------------------------------------------
Teacher's Lounge
Using Wait Time to Increase Rigor
As educators, we know we want students to be learning and working at higher levels of rigor in our classrooms. Often, our lesson plans and PowerPoints include carefully crafted questions and activities that align with higher depths of knowledge. But sometimes when we reflect on a live class session, we realize it was the teacher who did all the thinking while the students stayed at a basic level. What happened?
Often the enemy is the fear of silence! After posing a question, a teacher may rush to fill in the silence with more supports or explanations. This robs the problem and question of rigor. The solution? Wait time. By building intentional wait time into the lesson, students are provided opportunities to think and work at higher levels.
Strategies to Build in Wait Time:
- Turn off your microphone after posing a question
- Include timer icons as visuals on lesson materials
- Use the timer on your phone
- Do not allow students to respond until wait time is over
- Set clear expectations for how students should be using wait time
For more information about the benefits of wait time, check out this short video.
By: Ann Plumley, Specialist, Talent Development & Community
------------------------------------------o--------------------------------------------
Teacher Toolbox
Cultural Conversations Discussion Group to Start in January. Click on the image below for a short video.
Our cultural conversation discussion group carves out a safe space for teachers to reflect and consider while exploring and sharing useful strategies to implement alongside of instruction. By the end of our four-week discussion, we will all gain a deeper understanding of how recognizing students’ cultural identity strengthens student engagement and success and solidifies a sound classroom community. We invite you into our conversation.
Register for this discussion experience in K12 Training by searching for "Cultural Conversations." There you will find the link to access virtual and live discussion information located in Eduflow. The course begins on January 18. We hope to see you then.
By: Myiedra Adams & Heather Alfaro, Specialists, Talent Development & Community
------------------------------------------o--------------------------------------------
Learning Continuum
Calling all K-5 and 6-12 Social Studies teachers
The Talent Development team is creating training and professional development opportunities for social studies teachers. We want to hear your ideas! Please complete this survey to share your social studies training and professional development needs.
This survey is for anyone who teaches any social studies courses in grades K-5 or 6-12. Please share your ideas HERE
Promising Practices
Promising Practices Kick-Off Event
By: Tabitha Sekuras, Lead Specialist, Talent Development & Community
------------------------------------------o--------------------------------------------
What's New to K12 Training
Content Report
Did you know that there is a report in the OMHS that shows content details at the class level and individual student level? These reports help teachers identify which content students have selected, how long they spent viewing it, and when it was accessed last. Find out more in the short video below.
------------------------------------------o--------------------------------------------
Products and Courses
Some new enhancements were recently released to the new K5 OLS. Students can now:
- Track their Daily progress with celebration at the end of each day
- Change the language of their OLS to Spanish
- Choose a winter theme
- View gradebook details (only available if gradebook is on for your students)
Please see this doc for an updated overview of the new OLS.
By: Mary Dangerfield, Product Management
Tallo Lessons in High School English Courses
Tallo lessons are now included in semester B high school English courses. The lesson and activities encourage students to think about their accomplishments to-date, consider future opportunities for learning, and introduces them to Tallo. This web-based networking platform is changing the way students connect with employers and colleges across the country.
Students create a profile that acts like a highlight reel, showcasing skills and talents, and provides opportunities to be discovered by colleges and companies. Importantly, Tallo helps students match with opportunities for scholarships, college admissions, internships, apprenticeships, jobs, and more.
Learn more about which courses have these lessons and where they are located here.
------------------------------------------o--------------------------------------------
Authors
DIONNE WOODS
MELISSA LUCREZIA
Article: Growth Opportunities /SNHU
TAMIKA WASHINGTON
Article: Building Community & Teacher Highlight
Becca Jeppson
Ann Plumley
Specialist, Talent Development & Community
Article: Using Wait Time to Increase Rigor
Myiedra Adams
Article: Cultural Conversations
Heather Alfaro
Article: Cultural Conversations
Tabitha Sekuras
Article: Promising Practices/Learning Continuum
BRITTANY CHURCHILL
Production Specialist, Talent Development & Community
Articles: What's New to K12 Training
MARY DANGERFIELD
Anita Fiel
Newsletter Team
Adam Blaylock
Chelsea Wilson
Kara Woodley
Christine Spalding
Training Services Manager, Talent Development & Community
Newsletter Organizer & Editor