John Adams Middle School
Monday Morning Quarterback, Volume 4
September 23, 2019
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Relationships Matter More than Rules (Edutopia, 2017)
Coaching Corner
Do you need support creating your PGP goal? If you read the Coaching Corner last week, you saw the “Goal Setting” option in the Coaching Collaboration Menu. Something we can do together is brainstorm ideas for your PGP goal.
Below is a link to a PGP goal planning document. Please reach out to a coach if you would like to brainstorm together.
~ Melanie, Kate, and Corey
Staff Spawtlight: Michael Deiss
I was born in Staples Minnesota and grew up about 20 miles away. My mom was 17 when I was born and dropped out of high school. She later went back to earn her GED. I knew I wanted to be a teacher in fourth grade but did not settle on music education until my senior year due to my positive interactions with my high school band teacher. My family was of limited means as I grew up. Scholarships and grants are what made it possible for me to attend college. I also worked two part time jobs as I attended college full time to order to afford to go to college.
Life as a new music teacher met taking a position - only to see the position eliminated or downsized, which occurred with my first three teaching positions. After three positions coming and going, I landed a position at St. Felix Catholic School in Wabasha. I would stay for five years as a teacher and as a coordinator. I obtained my Master of Education in Teaching and Learning from St. Mary’s University. I would later obtain my K-12 Principal License from St. Mary’s as well. I would spend a year as a principal at a private school.
I met my wife when she came to work at a special needs camp that I was the director of activities for. We got engaged four weeks after we met and were engaged for two years. We celebrated our 14th anniversary this year. We have two children - Magdalene is 9 and in fourth grade and Berlin is 6 in first grade. They attend a Spanish Immersion school, which means that only Spanish is allowed in the classroom.
We got to take a family trip this past summer - the first for us. We spent two weeks in Arizona visiting family and seeing some of the sights in Arizona. We had a blast!
I live in Winona, MN - which gives me an hour commute. I don’t mind it at all. There are a few interesting journeys to or from school in the winter. I have been fortunate to have been teaching at John Adams since 2013. I teach grades 6-8 choir as well as serve as the Staff Development Chair for the building. Go Jaguars!!