So, in honor of that philosophy (which I find to be SO TRUE, btw) here is the synthesis of the learning I did at #CFISDRRR17:
Tweet recap and learning from #CFISDRRR17:
Creating culturally relevant classrooms makes us know better, so we can do better. #cfisdrrr17 @KwameSimmons1
When I think "culturally relevant," I usually think about the differences between race groups and cultural gaps. Coming from the elementary music background, my mind immediately jumps to the lack of Middle Eastern music in our curriculum but our representation of students with those cultures in our classrooms.
Culturally relevant is more than just a difference in cultural background, as I think about those stereotypes. It also encompasses our students who are in ELL programs and special education programs. Culture is more than just the foods you serve for dinner and the name of the church a student attends. Culture is the world in which they come from, and we need to be creating opportunity and awareness of opportunities for students from all cultures.
What are we doing to make sure we're meeting the students where they are and pushing them to where they need to be? #CFISDRRR17
We have GOT to be listening to our students and making data based decisions. Start with the numbers and develop a strategy that speaks to the needs of the heart and the success of the student.
Let's teach behavior, just like we teach any other content area. Outcome based strategy building within the box. #cfisdrrr17 QT: Thanks @TEXRPE2E for planting the seed. Ss need to understand the consequences of their actions not just issued a punishment. tweeting: The best apology is changed behavior.
OH MY GOSH! If I had a tombstone, this is what would be written. Let's teach behavior, just like we teach any other content area. Teach, reteach, practice, reteach, etc...wash, rinse, repeat. The photo that accompanied this said "the best apology is changed behavior."
Learning about @Google classroom at #CFISDRRR17 in a locker room. STAYCATION SELFIE!! #jagsummer #stoutnationmigration
Learning can take place anywhere...even in a locker room. Having a technology session in a locker room was a bit shocking to me, but the curtain draping and the laptop carts (and the amazing presenter!) made me quickly forget the setting and focus on the delivery of the content. I learned about Google Classroom in a locker room, and it was fabulous.
Develop trust with kids by being honest & remember that honesty without tact is cruel. #CFISDRRR17
So, I heard the first part of this at the conference. The last part was from an interview I saw with Kristen Bell. I thought the extra definition that her therapist gave to how to be honest was brilliant, and I was happy that these two thoughts were able to collide on Twitter for me.
We need to show kids what an apology is and what it means. An apology isn't a reset button; it is a change in behavior. #CFISDRRR17
Dr. Cupp was the one that I took this quote from. He was talking about this as he was giving an example about a Dad who could be very upset with a child, maybe even verbally or physically abusive. And then at the end of the day he says, "I'm sorry" as a reset button only to repeat his behavior the following evening. So, our students aren't learning what a true apology is if that's the model that they're seeing from the people they connect with often. We have to teach that part of a true apology is a change in behavior, and a trust from the recipient of the apology that it won't happen again.
When you park your car in the parking lot, your campus building needs to be so inviting that it's screaming "GET IN HERE!!" #CFISDRRR17
I LOVE this! Personally, my campus is screaming something different at me that I think is making me want to invest in some Pepto Bismol, but I'm sure that's just the nerves of a new job overtaking my brain. I sure hope I can be part of the group that makes our building scream "GET IN HERE!!!" I can't wait to see how that's going to come to fruition. :)
Teach the details of how we want our students to transition in and out of an activity. #CFISDRRR17
I talk about this with my student teachers ALL the time. As educators, we cannot simply pull the plug on one activity and expect a smooth transition to the next. If our class block ends at 11:40, then by 11:32 we need to be setting up what will almost happen/what happens and what is almost over/over.
Every @CFISDJowell Jaguar brings something great. It's our job to discover and celebrate their greatness. #CFISDRRR17
Every SINGLE child brings something great to school EVERY SINGLE DAY. If I'm not finding their greatness, then I'm failing them. Failing them in the most awful way.
The impact of a teacher can wipe away any SES effect size. #CFISDRRR17 @drjhodge1906
Dr. Hodge's session was titled "Be the One!" and it was a very inspiring session. It was the kind of session that you need to have when you're trying to have a quality placeholder that allows you to absorb the learning that has taken place over the previous two days. The part of this session that really stuck with me was when he showed us a graphic of two squares with four names in each square. In the square on the left, every child had gone on to become a professional and was fabulous at being a professional. In the square on the right, every child had gone on to be either incarcerated or was dead. The difference between the two squares? The boys on the left had the same 5th grade teacher, and the boys on the right had different 5th grade teachers. The 5th grade teacher that made a difference did home visits and believed that every child had greatness. Every single child. And she didn't care what had happened in previous grade levels; her scholars were HER scholars and were great.
Very inspiring!
"The adults in the building have to be what we want the kids to become. Behavior matters for everyone." #CFISDRRR17 @DrJhodge1906
If we want our students to treat each other with respect, then we need to treat our colleagues with respect. IN addition to that, if we walk in dreading that it's Monday, or overly excited that it's Friday, then our students will pick up on that. If we want our students to walk into the building excited about what is happening on Monday, then WE need to be excited about Monday. Good attitude is contagious, and I can't ever hear a reminder of this enough times.
The work it takes to shift minds to use quality tech integration is worth it. #kidsdeserveit #CFISDRRR17
This came from the TechNinjaTodd session. He was asserting that we should work hard to shift minds if what we're trying to integrate is worthy of the mind shift. I think that it's important to remember that we can sometimes start to shift minds, and if what we're trying to do isn't working, it's okay to change. As long as we're keeping the best interest of kids in mind, it's worthy.
If we want out Ss to learn every day, we need to learn every day, too. It's not just the Ss who need to learn new skills. #CFISDRRR17
This makes me want to carve out some daily time to work on new things. I'd like to learn Spanish. I'd like to learn more about Google Tools. I'd like to keep a better eye on the news coming out of education across the nation. There are so many things I'd like to learn, and I'd like to make sure and make time for those things! Man, that's tough but so incredibly worthy.
Social Media Interns! MIND BLOWN!! The @CFISDJowell Jags would totally rock this! #CFISDRRR17 Thank you, @TechNinjaTodd
I CANNOT WAIT TO TRY THIS! I took some great notes on this session and it reminds me so much of the student reporters from Stout Nation. Man, what an incredible way to expand the philosophy behind Stout Nation student reporters even more!!
Don't stop doing something just because everyone didn't go the full way. If it's relevant, do it anyway; passion will follow. #CFISDRRR17
@TechNinjaTodd said this, and it's a lot like the takeaway two lines above. If it's worthy for kids, it's worth our time to pursue.
The emotional side of our kids is equally as important as the academic side. #CFISDRRR17
This has to be the only way that we can approach education. It's educating the whole child and anyone who says "ugh we don't have time for that" really doesn't get what kids are needing to succeed--in my opinion. And, I'm going to mess this up plenty of times so I beg forgiveness in advance and will try to do my best! :)
As we think about changing learning, we have to take a critical lens to the transformation happening outside of our building. #CFISDRRR17
If we exist and want to change education, we can't do that without incorporating the outside world and noticing how it's changing. How in the world are we supposed to shape our children for the future if we don't take a look at the world that they're going to walk into?!
We can't fault our kids for growing up in 2017. The world is different, so we need to change and get with the program. #CFISDRRR17
It's not our fault that they're walking into a world that is different than what we're making in our own buildings. It's our fault that we're not getting our buildings to change to meet the world they're walking into. BOOM.
Express gratitude. Every day. @jamiemasoncohen #CFISDRRR17
Use the prompt below to create gratitude entries. :)