If you can't reach them, you can't teach them!

Another coach friend and I were talking about teacher success and the role relationship plays in that.  She said "if you can't reach them you can't teach them." I don't know if she came up with that herself but let's pretend she did.  (I like to surround myself with smart people). This quote is so spot on.  I have said it before and I will say it again- relationship is the key to a teachers success.

As educators, we must make the effort to know our kids.  Showing children they matter and are valued installs in them the respect and importance people desire.  In turn, kids will perform and comply with your classroom rules, behaviors and do the work harder and better.  

In my coaching role, I go in many classrooms and it is evident, almost immediately, what teachers possess this relationship with their students and those they don't.   The teachers who are successful in this have well managed classrooms in which you would like to stay.  The others....where is the door? 

If this is an area in which you struggle, begin now to correct this issue!  It is never too late.  It won't be easy but so worth it to make changes toward getting to know your kids and letting them know you.  I know you will find the effort worth while on the other side.  If you aren't sure where to begin ask a co-worker who has found success in this area or ask a coach to come and make suggestions and model for you.  Use trial and error but just try! 

Until next month..... 

Change? Ain't Nobody Got Time for THAT!

"Be brave enough to start a conversation that matter." --Dau Voire

During our weekly edchat (Check it out Wednesday @ 4 pm #cisdedchat) the topic was the changing landscape of education.  We all discussed the differences from when we were children and our predictions for the classroom of the future.    Just in the course of my teaching career, technology has completely altered the way I teach.  When I first began I used an overhead projector.  Did you also?  Did you know that technology was created in 1930!  I was using it in 2006.  There are no overhead projectors in our classrooms now.  Our district is very forward thinking in regard to technology and we are equipped with 1:1 in grade seventh through twelfth.  Lower grades have multiple methods of engaging students with technology.  How quickly things have changed.  

My daughter independently takes an AR test on an iPad and the results go to the teacher.  If a student wants to research an earthquake in Japan they can Skype a person there or watch real time videos or even view an interactive model of the quake.  A drama student can project on a green screen and change the scenery without a hammer, nail or wood.  Needless to say--those things cannot be done with an overhead.  As educators, we simply cannot afford to use thinking (or equipment) to engage kids that worked in 1930 or even 2006 for that matter.  Our world is different and kids are different.  They learn differently than we did and have more options to guide that learning.  The opportunities we miss when we are reluctant to change can be devastating to the children in our classrooms.  

Change is difficult but not more than failure.  Break down the walls of your classrooms.  Be open to what possibilities are out there to engage the ever changing mind of the 21st century learner.  The ride might be bumpy but be brave enough to stay on and forge ahead.  

Saved by the Bell!

I think we have a love/hate relationship with bells.  They serve as a necessary evil.  Alarm clock (a bell) just ugh!  The doorbell basically alerts us to hide from solicitors.  As a teacher, the bell that was my "necessary evil" was bellwork.  I could never quite figure out how to do it effectually.  I would do great for a while but I never had a good accountability system with grading or students reminding me that I missed a day.  That was true until last year when it all changed.  An instructor from AP Institute at TCU told us about "Question of the Day."  I loved it and it changed my classroom.

For the very first time I saw how bellwork should function properly.  It is the FIRST opportunity to engage your kids in your class.   The questions would tie in with whatever we were studying for the day and were risk free.  They were random pieces of information from which the students were likely have no idea from general background knowledge.  The point was not for them to get the right answer the point was to have them THINK!  Since it was risk free I had ESL students, struggling students, SPED students and gifted students all thinking about the answer.  That is the point of bellwork.  I can easily give them  the answer.  The students are the only ones that can think for themselves.   Consider this when creating your bellwork.  Does your work engage students?  Does it excite them about your class?  Would they notice if you failed to put it up one day?  Remember you only get one chance for a first impression.  Make it count ;)

If you are interesting in learning more about how I did my "Question of the Day" please let me know and I will be happy to share with you.

Until next week & Happy Halloween!
KJ

The ship is sailing away...Do YOU have it anchored?

As a former high school teacher, I thought anchor charts were cute little things that elementary school teachers created.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhh (insert sarcasm).  They certainly were not for upper grades.  However, this year Diva's teacher let's call her Ms. Moose uses them in her class.  When I asked what Diva has done in class she can tell me, in detail, what she is learning. She can not only tell me but can apply it using examples.   As a mom, I was thrilled.  As an educator, I was curious.  What changed from first to second grade that prompted her to retain her learning.  So I asked her to show me how Ms. Moose taught.  Diva said she writes on this big paper and we can look at it when we have work to do or test.  It appears this magic big paper is an anchor chart.  Needless to say I was sold!

If the purpose of an anchor chart is to guide student learning why do we normally stop doing them in secondary classrooms?   Creating those charts helps struggling students, ESL students and those students who just learn best seeing the content.   Anchor charts are more than cutesy pictures.  There are so many excellent ways to utilize the strategy and still be grade level appropriate.  Below is a link for some great ways and example to begin using anchor charts in your room.  Enjoy.

Click Here for Great Anchor Chart Ideas.

Until Next Week...Anchors Away

That's NOT the way my momma does it!

We all live in a bubble to some degree.  I tend to think the way I raise my child is brilliant.  However, you likely also think the way you parent is brilliant.  How can we both we right?  This week I have given this a lot of thought in regard to parental involvement at school.  As teachers we tend to want parent to be involved if they agree with us or back us up.  Otherwise, "we got this."   Of course, with my own child I want to have answers and grades posted.  Essentially, I want to be involved in the way I see fit.   Honestly we should not want something different for another child than what we want for our own.

The biggest lesson I learned in this regard was when a parent basically told me "you will not reach my child with your current method."  Well, excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me!  Of course, after I put my feathers back in place I realized, um, maybe just maybe she knows her kid better than I.  I stepped back and realized my way was not the best and although her involvement was not initially what I wanted--she was right.  When I approached her child differently I had success.  

We, as educators, could benefit from remembering that parents want the best for their kids.  They may go about it differently than you but that does not make it wrong.  Their not returning calls does not automatically mean they are being unsupportive or that the situation went not discussed at home.  It simply might mean they forgot or their schedule is not conductive to a phone call during school hours.  Regardless, teachers need to continually give parents the opportunity to be involved and informed.  This week, I challenge you to think how am I conveying my classroom to parents?  Ask yourself would I feel welcome if my child's teacher did this?  If the answer is no--then I encourage you to change your method.

Until next week....

Just the Facts, Madam

I recently went to a training on teaching United States History.  Wow, how lucky you say.  Hush!  It was great and I enjoyed every minute.  There were several really eye opening activities in which we participated throughout the day.    Teachers feel like we know exactly what should be covered in our classes.  After all, we are the ONES TEACHING IT.   Our feeling is normally we are the authorities in our classrooms.  I agree up to a point.  Back when I was in the classroom (you know 4 months ago ;) I knew what needed to be covered and what was important.  When I stepped back, though, if I am being honest that assurance was largely based on my opinion and not the TEKS.

You are thinking "Oh great, a blog on the importance of the TEKS."  A real page turner.  No, this blog is not on the importance of the TEKS.  It is on the importance of knowing the difference between what you WANT your kids to know and what the TEKS say they MUST know.  You can accomplish both and drive home those concepts you want students to remember in twenty years.   The activity used a diagram where you listed (without using the standards) what your students NEED to KNOW, what was NICE to KNOW and WHAT TO REMEMBER IN TWENTY YEARS.   You then go back and use the standard to see what you missed or categorized incorrectly.  It was interesting because things were missed or things were said to be a MUST that were really just nice to know.   When we do not use the standards to drive instruction we are doing a disservice to the children in our classes.  That is not to say they are missing out on great lessons or to infer learning is not taking place.  However, when they test they will miss questions due to our lack of detailed attention to the state standards.  Regardless of your opinions, it is the yardstick by which they are measured.  I encourage you to use this framework when planning for your upcoming classes.  Perhaps it will provide a new focus and intention that proves successful in your classroom.

Until next week....

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice makes perfect--a phrase your parents probably bored you with as a child.  Of course, in hindsight, like many of the things our parents said to us.  This statement becomes remarkably  more sane as we mature and grow up ourselves.  This week I was in training and the trainer said "If an assessment asks for it-then instruction needs to provide practice."

How can something so obvious go so undone?  We lecture, we give projects, we assign homework but we do not give questions similar to what their test will show and are bewildered at their low grade?  We hand them a 18th century document and wonder why they are unable to determine its meaning.  Those are not natural skills for our students.  We have to model for our students what we want them to do.  Teachers are far more likely to do this with behavior but then skip it with content.  As you plan for your upcoming lessons ask yourself what am I doing to show my students what I want in return.  This can be done easily with projecting examples, working through problems or marking up a primary source.  Try it out and see if your students are better understanding your expectations and becoming more successful at reaching them.  It may take time but remember practice makes perfect....

Until Next Week
KJ

Plant seeds early...teaching Social Studies in elementary school

 As a social studies "person" I truly see the importance of teaching social studies in elementary school.  And I do not mean ignoring the block on the master schedule but using that time to create little citizens.  Let's face it, many homes are not discussing the day to day events of the world.  We have an important duty to create opportunities for children to learn how to form an opinion based on facts, respectfully agree to disagree with a friend and grasp what it means to be a citizen.

Social studies does not just show people how to read a map (although that is important--what if your phone breaks!) but also how to learn from the historical mistakes of others.  If only little Adolf had been in class when they discussed how Napoleon shouldn't have invaded Russia in the winter.  And from an engagement standpoint, kids typically enjoy social studies because it offers "fun" ways to learn about the world.   Yesterday, when planning with an elementary teacher we discussed using Google Earth to show kids different monuments instead of pictures (hooooooooooow 20th century).  We have the world at our finger tips--use it!  Show your students the ways they can make this place better and then you might just be able to say "I taught the President when he (or she) was a kid."

Until next week....
Kelly James

The hook......

Lets face it.  We are a distracted people.  I will do (or think about) 10 other things while typing this.  Our students are no different.  Or yikes WORSE!!  This is simply the world in which we live.  We can ignore this in our classrooms or we can embrace it and figure out how to truly engage our students.  I remember watching Saving Private Ryan.  I thought of nothing else during that movie.  I can safely say in that packed theater, that those around me,were focusing on the movie and its plot.  It hooked you in from the first sense.  Our classes MUST be the same.

Luckily, in my district we have wonderful technology that helps hook kids.  Visuals, videos, and music  all engross them in the content and get their brains working. Last year, I had great success in hooking students in using "Question of the Day."  These question were teasers to the content being taught.  They were crazy, random facts that the kids felt safe trying to answer because it was not about getting the answer right--it was about thinking about the question.  And student thinking is the key to engagement in our classrooms.

I challenge you to find a way to hook in your kids.  You will be amazed at how must more fulfilling your classes will be and how the students response.  So go add "hook" to your to do list.  You know the one you were making in your head while reading this ;)

Until next week....

What You Allow is What Will Continue.....

I really love this quote shown in the title!  I have no idea who said it but it really resonates with me.  Largely, because it is one soooooooooo true and secondly because it is applicable to most areas of our life.   We have all been to let's call it.... Wal-Store and have heard the child acting mmmm let's call it...off task and the parent cannot believe their angel is behaving this way.  Why not?!!!  All they have learned from your reaction is you can count to 4 over and over again.  Classroom management is completely this way.

I have been working with several teachers across grades and content regarding this topic this week.  Managing ourselves is tough, managing a group of children is tough even when you are seasoned.  It is VERY tough when you are new to the field.  It is a process of trial and error (mostly error).  Management is also one of the most important skills of a successful teacher.  Okay then, how does one improve on this?

The first step is admitting you have a problem--okay, I am kidding a little.  Realizing you don't have it down is important.  Have a seasoned teacher observe your "worst" class and then observe your "best" class.  They may notice things you are doing differently with each group.  That seasoned teacher simply has tried more strategies than you have had to opportunity to do.  They can offer suggestions.  Go observe the classes of teachers who excel at management and not just in your grade and content.  Great classroom management is not a grade or subject thing--it is a TEACHING thing.

It is important to remember that you can plan your lesson and know your content but if your class is chaotic no one is learning.  Do not allow behaviors you do not wish to see in the future.   Seek solutions and if something does not work, try something else.  Luckily, classroom management can be learned and adapted easily.  It does get better and you will find easier.  Good luck!!

Until Next Week
 

This is NOT easy, this teaching business!

People say teaching is an art and I agree.  Then why as new teachers do we assume we will be artist right off the bat?  Was Di Vinci rocking out some amazing finger painting as a child?  Okay, probably-bad example.

I tend to think of teaching like parenting.  I was "ready" for my child and read all the books smart people read. I was fully aware of her need for quality engagement, zero screen time, and a schedule best suited to both our needs.  Easy, right?   The issue was Diva hadn't read the books.  That sort of shattered that game plan.  We have ideals of what our class will be like, how it will run, and how your students will be super excited about learning.   And all that seems realistic the week BEFORE school starts then reality walks in the door.  LITERALLY.

Your first year of teacher is spent trending water and trying frantically to balance the full plate of education while trying to function as a "real" person in your personal life.  It is tough.  The up side is it is also DOABLE!  First, find a way to organize yourself--hands down the most important key to surviving this year.  Second, find a mentor.  If your school assigns one-great.  If not, seek one out!  Be open to your mentors suggestions and advice but remember what works for one does not always work for another.  Third, remember that you are just starting out.  Mistakes are going to be made, lessons will not go as planned, child will misbehave.  You will not always be thrilled about meetings, training and extra duties as assigned.  And remember you have Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break to take a breath.  Enjoy the moments of success and the kids who are super excited about learning.  Lastly, keep going!  Don't give up.  Being a teacher is such an amazing job.  The rewards far outweigh the frustrations and stress that this job holds.  Any job has stress and frustrations--not every job allows you to make such an impact on the world.   You became a teacher for a reason and next year when you are less overwhelmed you will remember those reasons!

Until Next Week!

What you allow....

I love the quote "what you allow is what will continue" and it certainly holds true in the classroom.  As a new teacher, I allowed things to slide because I was overwhelmed or did not have a better solution.  However, as I matured in the profession and learned more efficient ways to manage I could better tackle those annoyances.

 This week I have been observing my brand new teachers.  And to be honest, they are farther along the road that I in the beginning.  The witnessing of simple things liking learning names, redirection, trouble shooting, and engagement have all served them well.  This is thrilling to see this!  Students engaged saying "This class is fun" not because it was chaos; but because they were enjoying the learning, it is a blessing and a key factor in both student and teacher success.

There is a certain pride in seeing the teachers you mentor doing well.   There will be struggles and I will offer assistance and guidance.  Some with listen, others may not always but I am excited about the journey together.  I love teaching and know the magic that comes from seeing students "get it."  To play a part in the molding of a new teacher is an honor that I intend to take seriously.  I can not wait to celebrate their achievements together and watch their growth.  This school year is off to an amazing start!  I am eager to see what is in store for 2014-2015.

Until next week!

How important is a well rounded mind?

The phrase "well rounded" is tossed around a lot these days.  But is it really important?  I certainly think so.
I love history!  I loved taking the classes in college and I loved teaching social studies.  I truly feel that fostering the importance of thinking and understanding the world around you is a privledged task.  Those skills do not come naturally but must be learned and practiced over time.    A person's knowledge of current events should not come from weekly magazines at the check out line!   However, how often do our students hear adults discussing the world around them?  More to the point, how often are our students asked about current events?    It is important to me that Diva hears Frito and I discussing issues.   We often ask her what she thinks.  Explaining rebel groups to an 8 year old is a toughie but she can understand the concept of rebelling against her parents so on some level she "gets it."  I challenge you this year to see what you can bring to your classroom (not just those social studies classrooms) that encourages your kids to think,form opinions, and learn the art of respectfully disagreeing with a person.  If these characteristics are not learned now how will our future levels ever embody them?

Have a fabulous first week of school!

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. ~Sydney J. Harris

Tales of a Secondary Coach: Is it time yet?

Tales of a Secondary Coach: Is it time yet?: After working with new teachers this week, I am reminded of a key to success.  Time mangement!!  We live busy lives period and are pulled in...

Is it time yet?

After working with new teachers this week, I am reminded of a key to success.  Time mangement!!  We live busy lives period and are pulled in many directions.  In education, it is so important that we use time wisely and focus on the needs of our students first.   Easier said than done, right?  

Working smart is wiser than simply working hard.  Be organized, plan ahead and stay away from distractions.  (Another easier said than done)   I believe a good rule to use when setting priorities is asking yourself what will most impact my students.   The rest will get completed and you can rest easy knowing you made decisions with the proper focus.  

Now off to use my time wisely...hanging with my sweet diva! 

The teachers are coming! The teachers are coming!

Next week is new teachers week at our district.  I can still remember walking into the cafeteria where the training was held.  I was scared (rightly so) and completely overwhelmed.   I knew nothing! I had no student teaching experience and zero idea what challenge that first year held for me.  I look back and just cringe at the choices I made and know I would never do that now.  I was eager to learn and open to correcting my many many areas of improvement.  Thank goodness for those helpers around campus that first year.

If I were to give myself advice on that day- it would be run!!!  No, honestly, it would be relax and prepare.  Enjoy this experience.  Things will go wrong, lots and lots of things.  Some things will go right, maybe a few things.  You will adore those kids and get frustrated by them, cry and laugh with them.  You will see them grow and know you had some small part in that.

I would tell myself that you will stay in touch with some and hold their children and be a proud momma bear when they graduate from high school, college and graduate school.   Ultimately, I would tell myself to know that next year will be so much easier and if you are open to learn from your mistakes you will be so proud you survived your first year.  Now go countdown to Christmas break!

Until next week....
Kj

Let's Google at the Gaggle of Geese!

There really is something to learning from your mistakes.  Today, was my first training in my new position.     I learned A LOT!  First, it was less stressful than I thought it would be and it was far more fun too.  The participants were great and shared wonderful ideas.  Overall, I think it went well and feel like everyone went home with several ideas of how they could utilize Google Docs in their classrooms.  Most left with several Google projects started and/or completed.  I enjoyed the spring-boarding of ideas.

We also learned how to not do things too.  A participant said it makes me feel better than the presenter has questions too.  I assured her that was definitely the case.  Our learning was made more concrete because we had our frustrations but were so excited when something worked.   We put the trial (and error) in trial and error!  We were all working together and it was a very collaborative day.

I think it is okay to let our students know I had trouble with this too or I do not know how to do____________.  Let your student be the expert on an issue and praise them when they find it out.   Learning new things is often challenging but it makes the reward that much better.  I encourage you to try out one new skill with your few weeks left in summer.  And then, show a peer when school starts.  If we all did that--just think what we could do!!!

Tales of a Secondary Coach: Believe even if they don't!

Tales of a Secondary Coach: Believe even if they don't!: The diva is getting her training wheels taken off her bike today.   This act is more emotional than a Real Housewives reunion.  She doesn&#3...

Believe even if they don't!

The diva is getting her training wheels taken off her bike today.   This act is more emotional than a Real Housewives reunion.  She doesn't feel ready.  In truth,  if we waited until she felt ready she would ride her training wheels off to college.   Finally, we told the diva we knew she could do it even if she didn't think so.

This made me think of those students in our classes who also do not feel confident in themselves.  Be it from past experiences or worse words that told them they unable to do _______________.   We, as educators, need to be our students biggest fans.   Teachers need to believe that our kids can.  I challenge you to look this year at what your kids can do and let them know that.  Focus more on their strengths and not their weaknesses.

In my role as a coach, I will to encourage my teachers to remember they can do great things in their classrooms.  To focus on their strengths and capitalize on those.   Sometimes our biggest hurdle is between our ears and we need only be reminded of what we have to offer.

Until next week....

Tales of a Secondary Coach: Where did I put that paper??

Tales of a Secondary Coach: Where did I put that paper??: I am a very organized person.  VERY.  I mean my closet is organized by color and I love to plan and schedule much to the annoyance of others...

Where did I put that paper??

I am a very organized person.  VERY.  I mean my closet is organized by color and I love to plan and schedule much to the annoyance of others.  (Just ask my mom)  I ran my classroom the same and I suspect I will be an organized instructional coach.  People organize their 

Iives differently- no one way better than than another.  I myself, am loving all the apps out now that allow educators to streamline things that would once have required lots of paperwork.  These apps make for quick adjustments, many can be shared and/or viewed by others and let's face it- our students are more organized digitally than in the world of their backpacks! 

I challenge you to look over this list and pick a couple of things you can try out and swap to online vs paper based.  

http://www.teachthought.com/technology/26-ipad-apps-paperless-classroom/

Until next week....

Kj

Tales of a Secondary Coach: In a perfect world

Tales of a Secondary Coach: In a perfect world: My husband, Dorito, took the diva to horse lessons.  She was upset because her horse was uncorporative.  It wouldn't comply no matter wh...

In a perfect world

My husband, Dorito, took the diva to horse lessons.  She was upset because her horse was uncorporative.  It wouldn't comply no matter what she did.  Given she has had three lessons her "bag of tricks" is somewhat limited.  She wanted her lesson to be easy and without effort.   What the diva was not understanding and Dorito was wanting her to grasp was there was still much to learn in the lesson.  

This got me thinking about our classrooms.  Who among us has not wished for better behaved kids, a schedule with fewer preps or that ONE kid to be absent more?   I did it and I suspect you have too.  When we wish for the perfect ______________ we miss out on enjoying the students we have in our class.  Those sweet kids who do their homework ever time are great without question.  But there is a certain pride in seeing that class that struggled all year mature and show progress.  To see that student who frustrated you come to understand the importance of being true to their word or ace a test.  These are the reasons we became teachers in the first place.  It was never to have the perfect classroom with perfect students.  We chose to be teachers- we don't scare easy and a challenge is welcomed.   

Have a Happy 4th

Kj

Yeah, but how does this impact me?

Be honest- how many times a week (or in a day) do you say "remember that ____________ episode (Friends, Seinfeld, Everyone Loves Raymond, etc)" to your friends?  Ever say it in class? Well, I have have.   I am quickly reminded that those sweet children in your class- do not know Kramer, Rachel or Frank Barrone!   The point Is you MUST make learning meaningful for your students.  

I am at a conference this weekend and there are thousands of people there.   You can easily pick out THOSE people (elementary teachers) eager to sing in professional development.  While MY people (secondary) sit in the back sending off "these seats are taken" vibes.  And you can quickly assess if a session is too ___________ for me.  This doesn't pertain to my content or my school does it this way.  If we wish strangers to alter their professional development for our interest then is it really too much for us to do with our students?   I had created senerios about content using popular boy bands, tv shows and student names.  The students pay attention because it is "their" stuff and if they pay attention you have a win win!  Does it require time to update yearly?  Yes, but far less than reteaching an entire lesson.   The next time you are in front of your class staring at blank faces.....stop and don't utter "Did you ever see...." Instead take a second and find an example that brings true relevance for them to the content.  Our relevant examples are unnecessary.  You, after all, already understand the content.  

Until next week.... 

Kj

Wait, this is learning? I will stop!

My family and I are on vacation this week.  And our daughter, a seven year old diva, was pretty adamant to NOT learn anything during the trip to the horror of her teacher parents.  This got me thinking.  If our daughter; a kid who has opportunities and experiences at her fingertips, does not see the excitement of learning then are we naive to think children of poverty would be thrilled at learning new things?  

I think we, as educators, need to keep this in mind.  Kids are learning all day long.  They just don't realize it.  Our diva was playing a game called "Bad piggy." I watched her playing and saw her inventing ways to get this pig over hills and other obstacles. When she couldn't get it just right she consulted a book of ideas and revamped her inventions and tried again.  Finally, I said diva don't you know you are learning.  She was shocked and quickly put away the game!  ( okay I made that last part up)  She was also learning when my husband told us his research about Equador while watching the game during the World Cup.  Tomorrow, we will learn during our Eco- Dolphin Cruise.  And the only learning the diva was okay with will take place during turtle school.  None of these experiences took place in a classroom or in a desk nor did any of it utilize pen or paper.  But learning took place.  

All this to say- we really ought to put more effort into finding ways to engage students intrinsically to learn more about what they like.   If we step out of boxes about what is learning- maybe our children will follow.  

Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Collaboration.  A word that is thrown around a lot in education these days.  It is expected that our classes effectively use collaboration among our students.  My question is-How often do we effectively use it ourselves?  Today, I called a friend (tech genius) to make sure I was correctly using an app.  We discussed the process and within two minutes I was now an "expert" on it.   It was a painless process.  I mean who doesn't like to chat with a friend?  

 We are educators it is in our nature to help.  So why not rely on those around you to bounce off ideas, classroom struggles and celebrate successes together.   In doing so, we will be able to better guide our students through true collaboration and understand its benefits. Beating your head against the wall is soooooooooooo 20th Century.  We have countless ways to connect with others near us or even across the world, to learn and work together to find solutions to our problems.  I challenge you the next time you are stuck on a problem.  Seek out a respectful co-worker, mentor or expert oceans away and learn from them.  Who knows, before you know it.  Someone might be seeking YOU out for advice for their issues..  

Feeling out of touch with technology?

Technology has definitely been the buzz word for 2014.  As I began planning for my Google Docs training I reflected about how my own teaching has changed throughout my nine years in the classroom.  My first year, you can hook your computer up to a TV (what!?!?!?!) and I used overhead transparencies (zzzzzz).  The biggest catalyst for that change has been technology.  My classes are so much more enjoyable because of what I have access to with technology-both hardware and software.  I am thankful for the technology and enjoy using it. 

However, having said that there has been a definite learning curve.  Just when you feel like you "get" something another cool idea or program comes out.  It is difficult to not feel out of touch-like the bus is speeding off and you are holding onto the bumper!  If you feel this way, I encourage you to take some summer training on technology and get ahead of the curve.  Yes, we all want our summer to be "school free" but the reality is when school starts exploring new options and best laid plans are set aside for the day to day task.  CISD has numerous options for training, search YouTube for ideas or spend 5 minutes a day playing around with new apps or reading a technology in education blog.  Doing so, will likely help you enjoy technology a little more and get excited about it for the fall. 

Enjoy your summer!  Until next week....

Kelly James

The End of a Chapter...Beginning a New Book

All I know is being a teacher at Castleberry.  It has, however, been my job for the last nine years.  I know what to do on the first day, the hundredth day and the last.  I know what to expect and others know what to expect from me.  The classroom is a safe place for me.  I love my room and the students work displayed.  It represents "me" and I find comfort there.  Over the last nine years, I have had many ups and downs.  This year has been the best for me.  And like the show, Seinfeld, I am leaving on a good note.

Next year, I will begin a new journey as an Instructional Coach for grades 7-12.  I am beyond thrilled to be continuing my career with CISD.  I look forward to working WITH teachers to increase student engagement and learning.  Starting something new is always daunting but I am excited about the new opportunity and cannot wait to see what the 2014-2015 school year has in store. 

Until next week.....
KJ