Stop! Collaborate and Listen.

Nowadays, when I see a classroom where there is no group work amongst students, I am immediately shocked.  Students love to talk!  They can learn from each other.  They can verbalize their thoughts.  They can validate their thinking before speaking aloud.  They can strengthen their own skills in a certain topic.  Being able to converse with a partner/group could be the key to turning the atmosphere of a classroom around.

But what about teachers? 

I've gone into some schools where one teacher is the only one who teaches that grade level subject in the school.  He/she struggles to collaborate face-to-face with someone.  It's difficult to plan lessons, create assessments, and analyze data alone.

I've also gone into schools where there are 6 teachers who teach exactly the same thing.  How beautiful is that?!  You see different views on the same topic.  You hear how other people think about your approach.  They will tell you how varying students will interpret your instruction.  They can help you analyze your data.  Finding engaging activities won't take an hour anymore, and setup won't be so time-consuming.  You have help!  You're not alone.

Seeing the brainstorming that takes place in these larger groups is phenomenal.  As long as those individuals work well together, the teachers are unstoppable.

I am definitely not saying that great things can't happen if you teach alone at your school, but it is much more difficult.  For example, if a grade level group finds they didn't score well on a particular standard, they figure out how they can change their teaching from the previous year.   Figure out what worked and what didn't.  If I work alone, I only have my personal opinion and thoughts.  If I work with 5 other teachers, I have at least 5 other possibilities to choose from.  Power.  In.  Numbers.

Teachers are not meant to feel like they're teaching alone on an island.  

So, are you a teacher who feels alone?  Is there no one to talk about grade level content at your school?  Join other teachers!  There are so many things online.  Twitter is HUGE amongst math teachers across the US.  The Global Math Department hosts webinars online.  Read blogs about what other teachers are doing.  There is a lot out there!  Get to exploring!  

Until next time,

-Ms. C.

We're All Winners!

Hey y'all!  It's been a bit since I last posted, but at least it hasn't been 2 years...  Let's jump right in.

I was at my last school for 6 years.  I was there for 2 principals, 2 assistant principals, 3 counselors, 4 teaching partners, and countless students.  That was MY school, MY home.  I always wanted to see that school succeed.  I wanted that school on top.  That school needed to be recognized for all of the great things going on within those walls.  Those teachers needed to be praised.  That principal needed to be revered.  Those students needed to be loved.  That school was my heart.  Is my heart. 

But what about the other schools?  The other principals?  The other students?  I don't have just one school anymore.  I have 17 schools, and I want to see them all succeed.  I want all of their great things to be seen.  I want all of those students to be loved. 

And that has been my biggest battle.

Schools that everyone whispers about are doing great things.  Schools that are deemed the "ugly duckling" are actually hidden gems.   There are such great things going on in this district, and I am truly honored to see it firsthand.  We have awesome teachers spanning 5 towns who pour their all into their teaching.  I mean, y'all!  Just seeing them makes me question my own teaching in the classroom.  They're doing things I've never dreamed of doing!  And the relationships they've built with their students are beautiful!  There definitely is a beautiful balance of loving kids while also maintaining a high amount of rigor in the classroom. 

There are days when I ask myself "how in the world did I get this job?"  I know it was a God-thing because this is truly my dream job.  Not only am I able to support teachers in their craft, but I can also witness the greatness unfold.  I can see "ah-ha" moments from teachers AND students.  I can talk with principals and not feel like I've gotten in trouble.  haha!  Nah.  Forget that.  I don't think that feeling ever goes away.  I've learned that teachers not only need support, but they also need validation.  "Is this a good idea, how do you think that went, did I teach that well?"  On that note...

I'm the person teachers come to when they have to ask a question.  Y'all, me!  ME!  What do I know?  Ha!  But I do feel like I'm building a great relationship with these teachers.  I have enjoyed getting to know the teachers in my district; they truly are phenomenal.

Well, until next time.

-Ms. C.