Winfield Celebration

The Winfield Intermediate School and Primary School invited me to be a part of their school celebration of their accomplishments for the first semester.  We reviewed a huge list and asked the teachers to break it down into what those meant for their grade level.  They are doing wonderful things and the best part is, they know it!

After the review, we did a few party games, all that would be appropriate to use in their classrooms.  These were direction following activities.  The superintendent came in and observed in the Intermediate School.  It was fun to see her involved with her staff!

The game that got the most attention was the paper plate drawing.  One places a paper plate on top of the head and draws whatever the hostess tells them.  In this case it was a floor, a Christmas tree, a star on top of the tree, ornaments, a fireplace, a stocking and a present under the tree.  After the drawing, teachers looked at their work and got a chuckle.  Points were assigned to each piece and the winner got a small prize.

Here are some of the photos from that day!

Thank you for letting me be a part of your celebration!

First Semester Reflection

I cannot believe I haven't written here since August.  This is so unlike me.  I plan to make a New Year's goal to write more here.  I have learned so much!

First:  I am not afraid of High School teachers any more!  Yes, I met my share of those scary, content driven teachers who look down on us who believe that child development is every bit as important as content.  But I found out that even though they are definitely into their content, they are every bit as interested in finding ways to engage their students as we elementary folk.  Who knew?? 

I learned that all middle school teachers are crazy.  I already knew that, after having a husband who was a middle school teacher/principal for over 30 years.  Somehow I had made myself believe that it was just wherever Bob was, was crazy.  Not so.  All of the Middle School teachers I met were crazy.  They love content and they believe in child development and they want school to be fun and have relevance.  I have come to adore Middle School teachers!

The elementary teachers I have worked with are all such hard working people, willing to do whatever it takes to help those children learn.  I have seen them frazzled, energetic, worried, down, up and just about every emotion there is. This is their world and the children in it their universe.

I am eager to work the second semester on getting the information we shared into action!  I want to see data make a difference!  I want to see student improvement!  I want the EOC and Smarter Balanced scores go out the roof!  I want to see teachers celebrating!

This Christmas break I hope all my teachers rest, regenerate their batteries and get ready for the second half of the school year!  I am cheering for you!

A Stop to the Stoplight for Behavior

I have been the administrator for three districts where teachers chose to use the Red/Green/Yellow sign for students as a visual for their students' behavior.  I have seen this be an effective way to manage some students, for others, not-so-much.  I have had parents communicate with me how the system demoralized their child, making it nearly impossible to get their kindergartener or first grader to come to school.

I ran across this article today that does a fabulous job of explaining the reasons why this isn't the most effective way to manage behavior in the classroom.  The author, Jen Bradley, has started a Facebook page to open the discussion on better ways to track student behavior.  Please read it.

Does Your Child's Teacher Use a Stoplight for Behavior

Focused and Balanced

If you know me well enough, you might think this post has to do with a visit to a local winery, but no, I am speaking about my recent visit with two principals about what I can do to help them reach their goals this school year in terms of quality professional development.  These principals are not on contract in July, but here they are, meeting with their consultant on a Friday morning to discuss information about what their needs are for this upcoming school year.

I started the discussion by showing them what they have done in the past with my RPDC, and listing the initiatives that they are involved with now and in the past.  The school district chose to adopt the Missouri Reading Initiative this year, a comprehensive look at reading in grades K-5.  It is a great way to teach reading but is very involved.  I suggested we look at ways we can intertwine what we do and what MRI does to reduce the load on teachers.  

Next we looked at the reflections that the teachers wrote last year, particularly the pages that discuss what the teachers feel where they need more information.  The reflections speak mostly about writing common formative assessments, so that is where we will be focusing the year's professional development.  Whatever CFAs are needed for reading will hopefully fall nicely into this category as well.

We discussed the year's worth of dates, agendas and possible spin off professional development.  When I left the two principals, they were getting ready to discuss further issues at their schools, continuing to meet on their "vacation."  I was impressed with the way they wanted to drill down the professional development to one good strategy, and use it throughout their curriculum.  Excellent job, administrators.

First Training-Shared Learning

I attended my first Shared Learning event this week.  I was able to see what the Learning Packets looksed like and talk to the developers.  One of the developers, of the Metacognition Packet, is located at my own Regional Professional Development Center.  I learned a lot about organization of a workshop from her.  I can see why she gets many accolades from her colleagues.

My wonderings that I left with have much to do with the state's coordination of effort.  As a principal, I participated in Professional Learning Communities, Data Teaming, Collaborative Teaming and Positive Behavior Intervention Support (any many others) tranings and it is frustrating to have these offerings but not have them coordinated.  For example, the Collaborative Work data team protocol is different from the Data Teams and the PLC data team protocols.  If these are all the State's efforts, shouldn't there be some coordination of the efforts?  As a principal, I would try to synthesize what I learned and create what I felt was the best combination of the different protocols.  It would be wonderful if the state would tell us what is the preferred method.

One of my favorite moments, besides the networking, was the sharing out of each RPDC of their goals and activities for the year.  I am going to be using these as a way to reach my schools, too.  I loved seeing how the work is moving throughout the state.

Dawn Cook chatting with other CW staff, looking at our Action Plan for the year.

New Adventure-Post Retirement

I officially retired from Missouri public schools on June 30, 2014.  On July 1, 2014 I put another hat on my head, that as the Project Director for the Heart of Missouri Regional Professional Development Center on the University of Missouri campus.  I am excited to remain a part of public education and am eager to share information on the Collaborative Work project with districts in Missouri.  My focus is on school districts in Lincoln County, which is fairly close to my home in St. Charles.

The month of July I will be training on the Collaborative Work project.  I have been handed a large, 6" binder full of materials that have been shared with previous Project Directors and I have spent much of my time reading the lessons and about the CW project.

About the CW project, it was developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, to the Missouri Department of Education.  Materials and methodology was created by professionals using the work of John Hattie, and specifically on five overview topics and four specific teaching/learning practices.  The four practices are assessment of capable learners, effective feedback, reciprocal teaching and spaced v. massed practice.  I am familiar with the first three, but the last one I will be doing a bit of homework!

The over arching topics are collaborative data teams, implementing with fidelity, developing and using common formative assessments, and using data to make decisions about teaching and learning practices.  Internal coaching rounds out the topics.

My first three days have been spent READING and READING and READING the many developed learning packages that are in existence.  I love reading so this is a great thing but I can feel my eyes starting to think they've done enough for today.  

I love the CW process as it has teachers working with their actual lessons in a day-to-day manner with the state standards.  It incorporates formative assessment, data team processing, instruction, and post assessment.  LOVE IT!  This is what made my heart go pitter patter as a principal.  Love this process.

I am eager to meet with my districts and see how I can help lead teachers through this process, increasing achievement for all.  I am impressed with the work they have already done.

Air Can Move Objects

Students in Dr. Mazzei's classroom learn that air can move objects.  First graders learn that even though we can't see it, air can do many things.  Today, the perfect weather gave this teacher the right moment for flying kites.  Good planning on the teacher's part allowed this to happen.  Thank you, Dr. Mazzei, for having flexible learning plans that allow you to take advantage of the teachable moment!

Teacher of the Year-East Elementary

Congratulations to the East School Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Kymn Shepherd!  We are so happy for her at East.  Mrs. Shepherd has been a teacher at East since the building opened.  We wish her luck in the district competition!

Kindergarten Presents to the Board!

Each month the Board of Education asks a specific building to provide a program for the board members.  It is a fun chance to show our board what our students are doing in school.  First graders presented information about the flag in the fall and kindergarteners are telling board members about writing. 

Their stories were delightful, and you can tell by the faces of the Board that they were having a great time as well!

January Fun!

This photo says it all!  Now, if we can get through without much more snow...