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