Team Talk
The Road To Distinctions Week Of March 21, 2016
The Mindsets
In the last issue of "Team Talk, the reading discussed four ways to change a fixed mindset. I thought it important to share the strategies for changing a fixed mindset before defining the mindsets to show that they can be shaped. If you're wondering which mindset you currently operate out of, a link to a 13 question assessment that will allow you to determine your mindset will be utilized during Mustang Academy.
This week's mindset excerpt is noted below:
Mindsets are beliefs—beliefs about yourself and your most basic qualities. Think about your intelligence, your talents, your personality. Are these qualities simply fixed traits, carved in stone and that’s that? Or are they things you can cultivate throughout your life?
People with a fixed mindset believe that their traits are just givens. They have a certain amount of brains and talent and nothing can change that. If they have a lot, they’re all set, but if they don’t... So people in this mindset worry about their traits and how adequate they are. They have something to prove to themselves and others.
"Think about your intelligence, talents and personality. Are they just fixed or can you develop them?"
People with a growth mindset, on the other hand, see their qualities as things that can be developed through their dedication and effort. Sure they’re happy if they’re brainy or talented, but that’s just the starting point. They understand that no one has ever accomplished great things—not Mozart, Darwin, or Michael Jordan—without years of passionate practice and learning.
Key Action 1
Improve the quality of Instruction and increase student achievement through effective and purposeful lesson planning. (Linked to district key action# 2. Implement the TEI system, tying teacher evaluations to student achievement results).
Key Action 2
Key Action 3
"I Am Roosevelt, The Power of One"
Do your actions embody our core beliefs, values, and vision?
Values:
Sense of urgency
Commitment
Development of the craft
Vision
Franklin D. Roosevelt will improve the quality of instruction for all scholars by committing to developing, supporting, and monitoring systems that will transform our community to embody a culture that leads our scholars to college and post- secondary success.
Pre-Observation Conversations
10 day windows have opened up for the 45 minute extended observation followed by the summative conference. During the extended observation ALL of domains 2 and 3 will be scored and the summative will consist of domains 1 thru 4.
You will be notified via email when your 10 day window opens.
Look For's
- Good First Instruction
- LO/DOL alignment matching the TEKS/SE
- Student engagement
- Maximizing of instruction
It is suggested that you continue to review the rubric not just for the spot observation indicators, but domain 2.4 checking for academic understanding and 2.6 for activating higher order thinking skills.
Student Engagement Walk
Responses from the student engagement walk will be discussed during Mustang Academy Monday ,March 21, 2016.
Notice what the research states about how most effectively students learn from the Learning Pyramid.
Open Transfer Period
The Open Transfer process allows current Dallas ISD teachers, counselors, and media specialists, who meet the guidelines outlined below, to accept a new position at another campus for the following school year without approval from the employee’s current principal. During the remainder of the school year, a transfer must be approved by both receiving and sending Principals and Executive Directors.
TIMELINE
The Open Transfer period for the upcoming school year will be March 8, 2016 through April 22, 2016. The transfer application will be available starting March 2, in order to help principals build a pool of applicants. HCM will begin accepting principal recommendations when the period officially opens on March 8. The deadline for recommendations is 5:00 PM on April 22, 2016. Employees interested in and that qualify for a transfer must apply on the open transfer application at
http://www.applitrack.com/dallasisd/onlineapp/default.aspx
ELIGIBILITY
In order to be eligible for an open transfer, teachers must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a valid Texas Teacher Certificate in the requested subject-area vacancy
- Meet "Highly Qualified" NCLB standards for the position
- Must not be on a growth plan or have an Unsatisfactory rating on previous TEI evaluation
- Must not be entering their fourth year of an Alternative Certification Program
- Must not be identified for non-renewal at the end of the current school year due to performance
- Must receive approval from Counseling Services - Counselors only
Attendance Matters
The week prior to spring break was our best for teacher attendance. There were 6 teachers absent for the week.
Pathway To Impact
Ensuring the following will allow us to create a pathway to impact in thinking about the 5 states of mind:
Bell to bell student engagement
Focused collaboration and positive, effective TEAMWORK
Reaching all students and ensuring they are learning daily.
FIVE STATES OF MIND
Efficacy
Flexibility
Craftsmanship
Consciousness
Interdependence
Am I thinking efficaciously in this situation?
How am I assuming responsibilities for my role in this situation?
Am I thinking flexibly, or am I limited to only one way thinking?
Is this better than what we or I use to do?
What am I aware of?
What is not here that needs to be? What I don’t know?
Who else might help? Who else is or might be involved? What would my friend do?
Let's continue to blaze a pathway that will have a profound impact for our scholars. We must provide the platform that gives our scholars hope because, "Hope Lives Here".
Biology Goal
Algebra I Goal
Algebra I re-tester Goal
English Re-testers Goal
English I Goal
English II Goal
Happening Now
3-21 A Day
Spot Observations/Extended Observations
PLC
No Mustang Academy
3-22 B Day
Spot Observations/Extended Observations
PLC
3-23 A Day
Spot Observations/Extended Observations
ILT Meeting 4:30-5:30
3-24 B Day
Spot Observations/Extended Observations
PLC
Dual Credit Open House 6:00-7:00
ELAR Lock-IN 5:00-8:00 p.m.
3-25 NO School
Teacher/Student Holiday
3-26
No Saturday School
Coming up
3-29 A Day
English I EOC
Selected Spot Observations/Extended Observations
No PLC
3-30-B Day
Spot Observations/Extended Observations
No PLC
3-31 A Day
English II EOC Exam
Spot Observations/Extended Observations
No PLC
ILT Meeting 4:30-5:30-Next steps after EOC
4-1 B-Day
Spot Observations/Extended Observations
No PLC
4-2 A Day
Spot Observations/Extended Observations
No PLC
On The Horizon
March 29 EOC English I (Results Return June 3, 2016)
March 31 EOC English II (Results Return June 3, 2016)
April 12-15 Student Survey (TEI)
April 29 EOC Lock-in 5:00-8:30
May 2 EOC Biology (Results Return June 3, 2016)
May 3 EOC Algebra I (Results Return June 3, 2016)
May 4 EOC US History (Results Return June 3, 2016)
May 16-20 Senior Exams
May 26 Field Day and Senior's Last Day
May 27 ACP Exams
May 30 Memorial Day No School
June 1-2 ACP Exams
June 3 Teacher Work day
June 4 Graduation Ellis Davis Filed House
*AP Exam dates will be listed next week