AMCMS Principal's Office
What is going on in the Principal's Office?
My Challenge to You
I have the conversation from time to time with different educators over the topic of preparing our students for jobs that do not even exist in today's world. Watch the video above to see just how these jobs are coming online.
Cafe X. It began in Japan and has made it across the Pacific to San Francisco. Soon, I predict, Cafe X will be found across America and Europe. It was not too long ago that we thought robots would only take over industrial and factory type jobs. With testing of driverless cars, automated ticketing stations at airports, and Cafe X as examples we can see that change is upon us.
Why am I sharing this?
I am sharing this because this is a reminder of how fast the work industry is changing.
In the education world, we have to remember that the world around us is changing and these changes impact the learning in our classroom. Why? Because when people have to "go back in time" when they enter a school, they are less likely to want to be there and be engaged in what we are asking them to do as a part of their learning.
As you begin to wind down for the 2017-2018 school year over the next month, I want you to think about how you are going to prepare for your year next year. What will you do this summer to learn and prepare for the coming school year?
I know that we have a month to go in this school year, but that month is going to be gone before we know it and summer will be upon us. If you wait until then, you may already be behind. If you want to talk about resources, conferences, books for book studies, etc. please let me know. I welcome conversations about your professional learning and how I can support you in your efforts to be the best teacher you can be.
Think. Achieve. Succeed.
Jeff
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Check out the fun from AMCMS this past week!
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Conversations With Morchat
Kids often are on our radar for misbehavior, disruption, or failing grades. Kids come and go and it feels like you can’t get away from a certain student because of the choices they are making and then 3 weeks will go by and you won’t have any issues or hear a peep. I can personally think of two kids that kept me busy for most of early April and then they were gone... POOF! I realized that I hadn’t seen a referral or had to come to a classroom for either of these students and it stopped me in my tracks. I would see them in the X and they moved to the “yellow space” with no problem and when I asked them to get to class they moved right along. I would see them in class doing group work or taking notes… WHAT!? So this past week I pulled them aside and told them that I hadn’t seen them in my office and if everything was OK? Everything was fine and so I proceeded to encourage them to continue with their progress and as a token of my appreciation I shook their hand. They shook back!!
Stop and think who is making progress with behavior or grades or even in social settings and take note. Find them and let them know you are noticing the improvements and that you care for them enough to notice. If a hand shake isn’t your thing, then give them a High 5 or some crackers… something that shows gratitude for the positive behaviors you are seeing. If then the next day comes and they mess up, at least you were able to notice the improvement and encourage the student in their success!
Make a recognition this week!
Morchat
AMCMS SPED Tip of the Week
The Power of Praise
Think about how you feel when someone praises you.
Now, think about how you feel when you are corrected.
Doesn't it feel good to be praised in front of others?
Doesn't it feel embarrassing to be corrected in front of others?
Keep in mind that our students are no different from us!
Do your best to praise publicly and correct privately.
You'll be amazed at the result!
Technology Tip of the Week
Training, Training, Training! I have been promising opportunities to learn all about Schoology, well the time has come. We are starting off with two main pieces of training. The first course is Schoology Basics the next course is Schoology Build and Design. You will need/want to take the Basics before you take the Build/Design course. All the details can be found here.
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Need a Laugh?
Read the tweets and look at the images -- see the mistakes?
Listening Skills are Critical
When you have other things in your head and you are not listening to the person talking
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Here are some articles and blogs that I read this past week from Twitter.
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Nominate your fellow faculty and staff members to be recognized for the strengths they posses and utilize at AMCMS!
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Week at a Glance
- Morning Tutorials 7:50-8:20
- Be at your duty station-- 7:50
- Be at your duty station-- 3:50
- Afternoon Tutorials 3:55 - 4:30
- Grades Due by 4:00pm
Tuesday May 1
- Be at your duty station-- 7:50
- ELA Interviews
- PTO Meeting
- Be at your duty station-- 3:50
- Afternoon Tutorials 3:55 - 4:30
Wednesday May 2
- Be at your duty station-- 7:50
- Success Team -- Mann and Feagan Attend
- Progress Reports Sent Home
- Be at your duty station-- 3:50
- Afternoon Tutorials 3:55 - 4:30
Thursday May 3
- Morning Tutorials 7:50-8:20
- Be at your duty station-- 7:50
- Computer Lit Teacher Interivews
- Be at your duty station-- 3:50
- Afternoon Tutorials 3:55 - 4:30
Friday May 4 -- May the Fourth Be With You
- Jeans because its Fri-YAY!
- Feel Free to wear Star Wars Attire
- Morning Tutorials 7:50-8:20
- Math Teacher Interviews
- Be at your duty station-- 7:50
- No afternoon tutorials
We need to be telling the stories of AMCMS each day.... and I know just what you want in return!!
A&M Consolidated Middle School
Email: jmann@csisd.org
Website: http://amcms.csisd.org/
Location: 105 Holik Street, College Station, TX, United States
Phone: 979-764-5575
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMCMS.Home.of.the.Cats
Twitter: @AMCMSCatPRIDE