Teachers Observing Teachers: Everybody Benefits

Teachers Observing Teachers:
Everybody Benefits

First, I would like to thank everyone for welcoming me into the Lead Teacher position.  It has been a whirlwind 3 ½ weeks.  I am enjoying the times when I am able to get into classrooms, see awesome learning going on, and view your great hallway displays.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it all in my new role.

As I travel the campus, I have been reflecting on my own teaching.  I have seen so many great strategies and activities that I wish I had used in my own classroom.  To that end, I encourage everyone to get out and walk around other hallways to see what is happening.  Call a colleague and arrange to visit one of their lessons during your planning time.  I know that you will be impressed and will find something useful to use in your own classroom.

I recently found educationworld.  It is an online resource where you can find quality, in-depth articles, news briefs, lessons, and resources.  It also has a library of professional development columns, including an article titled, “Teachers Observing Teachers: A Professional Development Tool for Every School.”

The article quotes several educators, administrators, and researchers.  However, what I found most interesting was how it related so well to what I have been feeling as I am interacting with our amazing staff.  …“teacher observations that serve as vehicles for professional growth rather than performance evaluations have multiple benefits -- for teachers, administrators, and the school. More and more, administrators and teachers are viewing peer observation as a form of collaborative professional development. This kind of observation can yield its greatest benefits when used as a means of sharing instructional techniques and ideologies between and among teachers.”

I thought I would share some of the benefits of observation, and if you get a chance, read the article at http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin297.shtml

Teachers benefit from:

*	an opportunity to engage in reflective dialogue about their work.
*	the focused classroom support.
*	improvement of classroom practices.
*	support from an "expert" (peer) who understands the daily demands of the classroom.
*	satisfaction with one's work.
*	reduced job stress, especially for the new teacher.
*	a welcoming atmosphere for new teachers.
*	the comfort of knowing that someone is available to help, explain, and assist.

Administrators benefit from:

*	the opportunity for reflective dialogue with and among teachers.
*	an increased sense of shared responsibility.
*	an increased focus on student achievement.
*	an increased trust and collegiality among staff.
*	participation in a professional and collaborative learning community.
*	a cadre of self-reliant, confident teachers who love teaching.
*	enriched teacher efficacy
*	participation in a professional and collaborative learning community.

The school benefits from:

*	increased collaboration among teachers.
*	the establishment of a professional learning community.
*	an increased focus on student achievement.
*	enthusiasm for the teaching profession.

Weekly Reminders:

Monday: 1st and 4th Data Day

Tuesday: Mr. Vernon Off Campus/ Kinder and 5th Data Day

Wednesday: 4th and 5th Writing Practice

Thursday: FLM @ 7:35/Volunteer Training/Cornelison - CHEC Field Trip

Friday: PPC 

Mentoring Matters

Good morning-

In our Elementary world, we often get to work with bright-eyed, happy, and engaged students. Elementary school offers a safe environment where kids have fun while learning. Think of all of the great things we provide for and do for our kids each day.  (teddy bear picnic, glow run, leadership opportunities)  As students get older, there is a fear that some of our most needy or academically challenged kids will become disengaged from school, and may not finish high school or have a difficult time graduating on time.  This then leads to even more stress for the student and family.

I am taking a class called Mentoring Matters, being conducted by Sandi Currier, one of our School Social Workers. As one of our assignments, we read Don't Call Them Droupouts (see link below). I hope you take a look at this study...it is quite interesting. Although I can't just sum it up in a few words, I thought the 4 findings from the survey were interesting, especially finding #2. We work with many students here in our world who have to navigate "toxic environments"...abusive relationships, homelessness, family trauma, exposure to violence, school climates that are unsupportive or unsafe, and neighborhood violence.  Sometimes, it takes just one person to listen, without judgement, to help a student to navigate and find their way. As finding #4 suggests, students have resiliency and the drive to "bounce back", but they can't always do that alone.

Something to think about,
Noelle

1

FINDING 1.
Disengagement and re-engagement
both result from clusters of factors.

FINDING 2.
Young people who leave high school are
often navigating toxic environments.

FINDING 3.
Young people consistently seek
supportive connections with others;
in toxic environments this search can
lead them toward or away from school.

FINDING 4.
Young people who stop going to school
are persistently resilient in their day-today
lives; they are bouncing back, but
need additional support to “reach up”
toward positive youth development.



http://gradnation.americaspromise.org/sites/default/files/d8/2016-10/DCTD%20Final%20Full_0.pdf

Weekly Reminders:

Monday:  Celebrate Literacy Week begins; STEM Wars 5th grade invite only 6-7pm

Tuesday: NEHS induction 6pm

Wednesday:

Thursday: PLC - Choice 

Friday:

Celebrate Literacy Schedule:

Step Challenge

Dear Deep Creek School Family, 

So many people have smart watches that will track their steps per day so let's get a DCES Step Challenge going. I propose an 8 week challenge to take 10,000 steps per day. For every day during the week that you get 10,000 steps in your name will be entered into a weekly drawing for prizes. If you are interested in participating in this challenge, please follow this link:   Step Challenge Sign Up

You will be responsible to enter your steps per day into a shared google document before the weekly drawing. The document will be shared with you after you sign up above. Challenge begins Saturday, January 14th so let's get stepping! It will conclude on Friday, March 10th. 

The American Heart Association’s recommendations for overall cardiovascular health:

At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 5 days per week for a total of 150

OR

At least 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity at least 3 days per week for a total of 75 minutes; or a combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity

AND

Moderate- to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity at least 2 days per week for additional health benefits.

So what counts as moderate to intense walking? That would be ≥100 steps per minute. I timed myself on my treadmill and at a mere speed of 3.0, I can achieve about 125 steps per minute.

And here is some of the best news! You don’t even have to tackle the 30 minutes all at once! Ten minute bursts of activity at a time achieves the same fitness results.

Let's get fit together! 8 weeks gets us ready for Spring Break. 

Thanks for all you do, 

Adrienne 

Weekly Reminders:

Monday: No School

Tuesday: Coins for Cancer Begins 

Wednesday: Donuts for Dads Watch D.O.G.S., Relay Recess

Thursday: FLM- Committees, Code Red Drill

Friday: Program Planner Mtg, Coins for Cancer Ends, Newsletter Article Deadline 

New Year's Goals

Dear Deep Creek School Family, 

Before Winter Break the Florida Department of Education rolled out a new website to assist parents with comparing schools in Florida and finding the "best' school for their child.  We tried to view this website at a Faculty Meeting, but did not find success with the network that morning.  Below is the link if you would like to explore the sire to see what it offers.

www.floridastudentsachieve.org

While I was looking through the site I found a blog titled, "10 Things to Notice When Touring a Potential School for Your Child."  I read through the article and decided that if the FL DOE was promoting these characteristics of schools that parents were supposed to be looking for that we should know them as well.  I also am happy to report that I believe that DCES exhibits these characteristics.  We are not perfect in all of them, but I know we have these same attributes on our minds when we come to school each morning.  I challenge each of us to pick one of these items and make it even better during the remainder of the 2017 school year.  I want it to be impossible for a parent,with this resource, to come to DCES and believe that we do not exhibit any of these proceeding items.

Based on United States Department of Education resources these are the top ten things to look for when touring a school.

1. Communication of high expectations both verbally and in writing by the school’s administration and staff.
2. Engaged students that are actively involved in learning. Look for evidence of classrooms being busier than hallways.
3. Great teachers who engage families as partners in learning, express high expectations for all students, and are knowledgeable in their subject areas.
4. Great principal who also engages families as learning partners and expresses high expectations for all students, and who supports and maintains knowledgeable staff.
5. Vibrant parent-teacher organization that supports the school’s administration and staff and that actively encourages all parents to become involved.  
6. Children are neither invisible nor scared to be at school.
7. Gut reaction that this is the school for your child.
8. Rigorous curriculum is in place for every child. It should be evident that academics are the priority.
9. Families like yours are welcome, and their concerns are acknowledged. A respectful environment is key.
10. You are satisfied with the school’s results on standardized tests and school report cards.

Thank you for all you do to make Deep Creek a great school.  I'm looking forward to finishing the year strongly.
James