Know Different
Take it from teachers who know different.
Our goal in Teacher Engagement is to support ALL teachers in their journey in growing their craft - mainly by providing a way to showcase the incredible instruction going on in our great district and creating a forum for teachers to connect and learn from each other. Looking to make a change? Then take a look at what teachers are doing who know different!
Maintaining Normalcy Amidst Uncertainty
Resources to Help Find a Balance
#lovePolkschools
Congratulations!
Connection Opportunity
Leading from the Classroom
Our Events
Classroom Library
"I knew that coming back face to face that my classroom library was one area that was a high touchpoint. I knew that I needed a system to quarantine books after students are done reading them. I didn’t want to have to purchase anything new, so I decided to use the three-drawer rolling carts that used to be used for community supplies pre-COVID. I set up two carts with one drawer for each day of the week. The last drawer is used for overflow books if any drawer gets full. The drawers are also labeled with the day the books get put back on the shelf after being quarantined for 48 hours.
Each morning the students pick 3 books to read for the day out of the classroom library. Students use hand sanitizer or wash their hands before making their book selections. Once they are done reading the book or at the end of the day, the books go into the drawer to be quarantined for 48 hours before I put the books back onto the shelves. "
-Katy Holmes, Wendell Watson Elementary
Engaging Students Through E-Learning
"Remote learning has presented its challenge but most of all it has given me an opportunity to grow in my craft. It is truly difficult to engage my students' focus for such long periods of time. So, I had to get creative, while on a tight budget. I would try to find things around my home and try to incorporate them into my lessons to make them more engaging.
Recently, I used an old Halloween costume and created a Mario theme day. The students could wear a green hat or a red hat to represent team Mario or Luigi. They got to design their best mustache. In true fifth grade fashion, they went all out. We used the theme of "level up." The students leveled up through questions about text structures for ELA and order of operations for math. Each correct answer took them to a new level of "their game."
"At times my students can appear to be overly tired in the morning. Within in a classroom, it is easier to implement activities that will cause them to get up and moving. I had to think fast and be flexible. So I told them that if they participated in today's discussion, each comment would qualify them for a chance to add a bow on my head. I grabbed my daughter's bow basket and proceeded to have a good time! The discussions about the text were AMAZING and more in depth than anticipated.
One child, one teacher, one book, one pen, can change the world. -Malala Yousafzi
So if you are a remote learning expert, or a novice, if you are at home or on campus....we still have the power to change the world."
Resources
Angel Watson’s Truth for Teachers Podcast: S5E13 The simplest way to stop feeling overwhelmed and overscheduled
TED Talk by Dr. Kelly McGonigal- How to make stress your friend
The Upside of Stress by Dr. Kelly McGonigal
Gerry Brooks (Feel Free to Share with your Teachers!)
Emergency Kits for Educators to Get Through Their Stressful Times!
Blog- 5 Ways to Not Get Teacher Tired by Haylee Harwick
Blog- 5 Ways to Keep Your Teacher Sanity by Teach Create Motive (Ashley Marquez)
WeAreTeachers Article- Teachers Are Burned out, Even Those in the Best Schools by Elizabeth Mulvahill
Evinery Jimenez- Auburndale High School
@maestra_evi
Christen Fiermonti- Valleyview Elementary
@primarypriorities
When Christen's students went to pick up their materials from the classroom, they probably didn't expect to see T-Rex!
Genevieve Gaston- Spessard L. Holland Elementary
Katelyn Kongable- Floral Avenue Elementary
Voya Unsung Heroes Award Program
This grant was shared by Teacher Engagement. You never know what or when you can win for your students! Be sure to keep an eye out in our Save the Date emails for possibilities!
PCPS Blended Learning Teacher Facebook Group!
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Julie Hasson
From Face-to-Face
To Virtual
New Teacher Seminar
Click HERE for virtual registration on netCONNECT- Section #55759
New Teacher Seminars are a great way to learn about what teachers around the district are doing in their classrooms as well as gain insight into what the district offers to support your professional growth. Although these are designed to support our newest teachers, ALL educators are welcome to join in!
EdCamp
We just hosted our first virtual EdCamp of the 2020-2021 academic school year on Saturday, October 3rd! Edcamp allows educators to collaboratively determine session topics the day of the event. Educators are also encouraged to facilitate breakout sessions by sharing experiences; conversations not planned presentations. Our next EdCamp will be on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for the registration!
Teacher Engagement
- Teacher Support
- Teacher Leadership
- District Culture
Contact us today to see how you can plug in and be a part of a community of learners focused on supporting your growth, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Email: teacherengagement@polk-fl.net
Website: http://thehub.polk-fl.net/hr/teacherengagement/
Location: 1907 South Floral Avenue, Bartow, FL, USA
Phone: 863-534-0781
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teacherengagement/
Twitter: @TeachEngagePCPS
Grand Canyon University
Interested? Click HERE to find out more!
Carolina Burdier
University Development Counselor
407-988-9381