Andrew, elementary principal in Denver, CO. My favorite assignment was in elementary school when we had to create our own country based on what we learned about geography, Econ, politics, etc. #EdCoChat#ThenIBecameASocialStudiesTeacher
CJ Cain, Assistant Principal, Littleton, Colorado. I loved how teacher Pete Lewinski brought in authentic task and real life growing up in Ironwood, MI into his Sociology class. #EdCoChat
Q1: Some schools are innovative, others are more prescriptive ("You must follow the curriculum w/ 'fidelity'!). Where is your school and how do you see it working for kids? #EdCoChat
Q1: Some schools are innovative, others are more prescriptive ("You must follow the curriculum w/ 'fidelity'!). Where is your school and how do you see it working for kids? #EdCoChat
A1: Luckily, as the principal, I get to make the decision to not push ‘fidelity’ over what kids need/what engages them. Our on grade level % went 64% to 99% for reading and our math was #1 on interims all year! Put #kidsfirst because #KidsDeserveIt#EdCoChat
A1: New to our school so this is something I am fleshing out.
I can tell you that I am not a fan of lockstep, scripted anything. I am a supporter of teachers and believe in their ability to make magic happen for kids. #EdCoChat
A1. I think we blend the two pretty well. As principal, I highly encourage innovation and love to see kids light up as they explore and discover. On the other end, I get that being prescriptive is "easier" but not always what's best for kids. #EdCoChat
Q1: Some schools are innovative, others are more prescriptive ("You must follow the curriculum w/ 'fidelity'!). Where is your school and how do you see it working for kids? #EdCoChat
Welcome Vicki.
I don’t believe in scripted lesson plans. Kids don’t remember lesson plans. They remember learning experiences. Plan experiences, not lessons. #EdCoChat
Q2: With curriculum and standards frequently prescribed to us without our input as educators, how do you flex them to meet kids needs, inspire them, and bring excitement to the classroom? #EdCoChat
I start my 18th year this fall I feel we have gone back & forth depending on who is in charge of curriculum 4 the district. I believe innovation and trusting the process as well as the teachers is the way to go #EdCoChat
Q1: Some schools are innovative, others are more prescriptive ("You must follow the curriculum w/ 'fidelity'!). Where is your school and how do you see it working for kids? #EdCoChat
For me, following a scripted lesson plan book and reading from it like it’s the Sunday Scripture is bad for kids and honestly isn’t teaching. #EdCoChat
Q2: With curriculum and standards frequently prescribed to us without our input as educators, how do you flex them to meet kids needs, inspire them, and bring excitement to the classroom? #EdCoChat
A2: A huge thing is backwards planning that is set aside every 6 weeks so teachers can look ahead, look at data, make adjustments, and think of how to collaborate w/ other content/specials Ts #EdCoChat
A2. I am a strong advocate for project based learning and students having choice in how they want to learn. I always tell my teachers, as long as they students learn what they need to know, be creative in how they do it! Make it real for them! #EdCoChat
Q2: With curriculum and standards frequently prescribed to us without our input as educators, how do you flex them to meet kids needs, inspire them, and bring excitement to the classroom? #EdCoChat
Passion is the great energizer. It’s impossible to be successful without it. Show me a person with passion & I’ll see a person with energy. Passion makes us excited about what we do & where we are going. Our passion ignites & inspires. Do it with passion or not at all! #EdCoChat
A2: I always have 2 be me regardless of the program I am handed. If it is new & scripted I adjust it 2 my teaching style & my Ss learning style. Not a fan of day one do this & day two do that. ELA is a work in progress & needs 2 be adjusted daily as u work w/ Ss #EdCoChat
Q2: With curriculum and standards frequently prescribed to us without our input as educators, how do you flex them to meet kids needs, inspire them, and bring excitement to the classroom? #EdCoChat
Q3: What books and resources do you use to innovate and bring energy into your classroom/school? What do you hope others would take from them as well? #EdCoChat
Q3: What books and resources do you use to innovate and bring energy into your classroom/school? What do you hope others would take from them as well? #EdCoChat
A3: currently reading #InnovatorsMindset by @gcouros with a few colleagues. Loving it. Hoping to inspire others with what we learn. Plan to do a Twitter chat with it in August. #EdCoChat
Q3: What books and resources do you use to innovate and bring energy into your classroom/school? What do you hope others would take from them as well? #EdCoChat
A3a. This past year, we were fortunate to be selected for the Take Note Colorado initiative.& will continue this with the introduction of instruments & music! Still working out the details, but kids are excited! #edCOChat
Q3: What books and resources do you use to innovate and bring energy into your classroom/school? What do you hope others would take from them as well? #EdCoChat
Bonus: I would do a round table discussion a few times a year with my most experienced Ts and my new hires - give them the opportunity to learn from one another. Someone can always learn. Everyone has something to give. I'm always learning from others and I love it. #EdCoChat
Bonus: If I had a magic wand, huh? I would figure out a way to challenged educators to throw away the "box" and empower to to become more creative...innovative, if you will, in the classroom so that learning is more relevant to kids. #EdCoChat
Bonus: Less meetings, less BS, more innovation w/ support — funding coaches (even for specials Ts!) and having schools focus on long term (5 year!) planning for big goals and support for vision work! #EdCoChat
