The Sky Needs Stars
Nudge: Roberts Middle School Volume 4
Dear Roberts,
I hear the term “street cred” used often when an individual commends a level of respect in an environment due to experiences. This urban term comes from the word credibility. I am a firm believer that credibility is the foundation of leadership. I have said many times, If you don't believe the messenger, you won't believe the message. I started thinking, how do you get “Classroom Cred” at Roberts? To get classroom cred, you first have to see past the current limitations of your students. Yes, you have to believe in them. If you don’t have the arrogance to believe in them, they will never behave like they are capable of reaching their full potential.
Next, you have to embody the idea that educators are not disseminators of content, but they are masters of connection. This means that you have to mentor students and establish relationships with your students. Teachers who have credibility understands that structure, high standards, and clear expectations are needed to create an environment that is conducive for creativity.
Classroom cred teachers understand that data is the key to personalize and tailor instruction for each and every student. Small group instruction is a vehicle of learning to help differentiate instruction based on real-time data in these teachers classes. These teachers are willing to take each and every student to a targeted destination that expends their opportunities.
Finally, to get classroom cred, teachers have to be constantly assessing themselves to seek refinement. Which means you are always looking for ways to improve your craft. Credible teachers are honest about their strength and flaws. These teachers are always asking others for feedback to improve. They understand the power of collective voices and ideas, which in return influences their instructional practice.
I am very fortunate to have worked with great leaders as a teacher, counselor, and assistant principal. I still call them my coaches. Even as a principal, I am working on credibility. I am still working on my teaching and leadership creds. I have so many people that lead me and guide me. As a result, I love to be a coach. I want to help people around me to get better. I want each of you to be better in life and at work. My passion is to build a work place where teachers will be treated with respect and in return deliver exceptional classroom instruction. Thank you for being amazing teachers. You are worthy and indescribable.
Jorly
Who remembers the Perry’s Steakhouse Pork chops last year? What about the Christmas Turkey Lunch from Abe’s? Do you enjoy delectable snacks for Teacher Appreciation week? Yes, all of the above have been provided to Roberts Staff in the past by way of the Courtesy Committee!
The Roberts Middle School Courtesy Committee needs YOU! We would love for each and every staff member to participate. The primary goal is to take care of our school family year-round. We help celebrate when babies or new spouses join our family, as well as retirement celebrations. We LOVE hosting delicious meals and snack bars and we LOVE celebrating YOU!
A great way to be involved and help the Courtesy Committee continue its great work is to participate in TOUCHDOWN TUESDAYS! A donation of $20 will get you several Tuesdays of Jeans and proceeds go directly to the RMS Courtesy Committee. Thanks in advance for your support!
Lali
SUBSTITUTE BINDER:
The following components must be included:
- Current class roster
- Current class seating chart
- Class rules
- Classroom procedures
- Hall Pass Procedures
- Bell schedule
- Lunch Schedule
- Attendance Procedures
- Fire Drill Procedures
- Hallway Practices
- Discourage releasing students from classroom—emergencies only
- Explanation of how to contact the office in case of discipline issue
- Emergency Lesson Plan (should be replaced if utilized)
- Location of Specific Items
- Cautions regarding answer keys, manuals, textbooks, dictionaries
- Location of teacher's editions and exercises
- Name of a 'Buddy Teacher' for questions (should be someone in the vicinity of room)
--Lessons for a substitute should be engaging, yet “self-directed”. Lesson should also be relevant to what you are teaching. OVER PLAN Sub Lessons--bell to bell instruction. You should go over expectations with your students at the beginning of the year and give reminders especially before an absence.
Alarcon building relationships at lunch
Floyd tackling IEP goals one day at a time
MItzi Connecting to fill gaps
Hamilton pulling small groups and closing gaps
Fernandez gradually releasing the Platform
Lidrbauch challenging our 5th graders
Brenda differentiating using DATA
Hector personalizing with small groups
Aviators going to see the ASTROS!
Monday
- Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday
- PLC's
2nd Period 5th Traditional PLC - Reading, Sci, Math
3rd Period - Intervention PLC
4th Period - 6th Connect PLC - all contents
5th Period - 6th Traditional PLC - Reading, Math, Sci/SS
- 5:30 - 7:00 Open House - Professional Dress
Wednesday
- Fire Drill
- Touchdown WEDNESDAY - Pay $20 to wear your favorite Football shirt and jeans until the Super Bowl
- 4:15-5:00 AR Committee Meeting
Thursday
- 4:15 - 5:00 Courtesy/Social Committee
Friday
- Grandparents Day Lunch
- Grades due by 4pm in Skyward