Points of Pride
August 15, 2019
Instructional Focus:
I get that having a new certified evaluation tool is somewhat scary/intimidating. With that in mind, I have decided to dedicate this portion of my weekly newsletter to a different component every week (in domains 2 and 3). I feel that this aligns perfectly, as it allows you to hear how I interpret each of the sections, and the rubrics correlate to good instruction. Please know that these are just my thoughts, and not a comprehensive overview on the subject. If you would like more information, I have attached the rubric and a detailed summary immediately below.
2A: Creating and Interpreting an Environment of Respect and Rapport
When I look at 2A, I am often reminded of the phrase that a "classroom will take on the personality of the teacher." Everything (the way you dress, the way you move, body language, what you allow, what you don't allow) that you do sends a message to students!! It is important that the classroom environment exudes mutual respect and support. This needs to be fostered through warm interactions towards students, as well as, appropriate interactions between students should be continuously modeled and reinforced.
Food for thought:
- How do you ensure that you connect with each child daily?
- If given a survey, would your students say that you care about them?
- Could you name an outstanding characteristic about every one of your students (have an older brother, likes baseball, has a split household, etc.)
- Are your students willing to take intellectual risks?
- Would your students say that you treat them fairly?
Robert
Professional Development Opportunities....
This was a very well received PD opportunity that was started last year. It will have three sessions, and you will get to choose your sessions. Wendy Peterson and crew will be putting on this event.
Kim Sutton will be coming back to GPS on September 10. This is a nationally renowned math expert that is coming to Gilbert because of Settler's Point. This session will focus on K-5 math strategies.
Sign up for both of these are available in Frontline (formerly MLP).
Email Address Information....
With this in mind, our district is asking that we do NOT post your email address on your teacher website. This makes it easier for you to be targeted.
We are still customer service focused, but encouraging parents to find contact information from Infinite Campus since it requires a log in.
Donor's Choose....
If you have a project that you are interested in, please come chat with me!
Upcoming Events:
- 8/19: New to SPE Meeting @3:10-3:40
- 8/20: School Council @ 3:30; Strings Meeting @ 5:30; PTSO Room Mom Meeting @ 6:30
- 8/21: 1:55 Release-PLC
- 8/23: Intermediate MTSS Day (see tentative schedule below); Chair Massages for staff @ 9:00-4:00
- 8/27: Kindergarten GLC Meeting @ Playa @ 3:45
- 8/28: No specials; 11:55 Release; Certified PD @ 12:15 (Sanford Harmony)
- 8/29: Primary MTSS Meetings all day; Data Team Committee @ 3:15; 1st and 2nd GLC @ Playa @ 3:45
- 8/30: Fall Picture Day 9:00-11:30 (schedule will be released shortly)
Ready GEN Trainings....
Kinder + Kelsey and Sue: 9/19
1st + Kristy + Sue: 10/17
2nd + Angie + Lori: 10/24
3rd+ Janice + Tracey: 11/5
4th + Sue+ Tracey+ Heather B: 11/14
5th + Angie + "the Heathers" :): 11/19
6th + Heather P + Sue + Alba: 11/21
Intermediate MTSS Schedule:
I have Allie Stark coming in for a full day, and she will be rotating to each of your classrooms. When you come, we will show you DIBELS data and discuss possible interventions that should be used.
Here is the tentative schedule that we will use (please know that these are ballpark times):
- 6th grade (since you are departmentalized): 7:15-8:00
- Tina @ 8:20
- Stephanie U @ 8:50
- Lisa J @ 9:30
- Tracey @ 10:00
- Laura P @ 10:30
- Kathy @ 11:00
- Ryan @ 11:30
- Heather P @ 12:00
- Beth @ 1:30
- Lori @ 2:00
- 3rd grade teacher TBD @ 2:30
It would help the flow of the meeting if you will review your data prior to this meeting (don't need to memorize, but we don't want to regurgitate data with you, we want to help you interpret and brainstorm interventions).