Hi @jennifer_burdis my name is Elba Scherer and I am the AmeriCorps VISTA Leader for the Literacy by 3rd Grade Program based in Fresno, CA. #BetterTogetherCA
In reply to
@CATeacherSummit, @jennifer_burdis, @jennifer_burdis
@CATeacherSummit My name is Falisha. I’m from the Central Valley in California. I teach 5th grade and going into my 2nd year of teaching. #BetterTogetherCA
A1: They word I would use to describe this year is YES. I said YES to many new exciting projects, from after school sports to broadcasting, and many things in between. It caused me to grow as an educator and leader this year. #BetterTogetherCA
Howard from SF Bay Area. Full inclusion private campus. Exhausted from a day of cooking projects I promised to do. Getting it in before our summer term (when I teach a cooking elective). #bettertogetherCA
A1) Glad to join end of year reflection, I teach Middle School Social Studies. One word to describe the year "balanced". Better balance with work/home & balanced in terms of multiple perspectives and approaches w/ instruction #bettertogetherCA
Courageous is my one word to describe the school year. We can all draw inspiration from our mentors, colleagues, and students who help us see courageous effort everyday. #BetterTogetherCA
I've been striving - quite unsuccessfully at times - to do the same in terms of work/life balance. I wish someone would share their secrets! #BetterTogetherCA
A1) Glad to join end of year reflection, I teach Middle School Social Studies. One word to describe the year "balanced". Better balance with work/home & balanced in terms of multiple perspectives and approaches w/ instruction #bettertogetherCA
A1: I agree w/ @KyleHermo - my word is Yes. Yes led to a bunch of cooking projects for genius time. Gong to integrate into math/sci next year. #BetterTogetherCA
I’m happy to announce that I wrote a book The EduNinja Mindset 11 Habits For Building a Stronger Mind and Body It’s almost here! Preorder information can be found at: https://t.co/Is0GW3a6aM#BetterTogetherCA : )
This year I got to teach a regular US History class for the first time since the adoption of the new framework - my 2nd period was where I got to play in a sandbox. #BetterTogetherCA
I hear ya! First full school year back after having a baby. I needed some changes. Still doing A LOT but not everything and said NO a few times too. #bettertogetherCA
I have a 2YO & I have vowed to say "No" more - but it's so hard. I love being being involved in my work & I love the leadership opportunities that have been afforded to me. But I have to remind myself that I have people @ home who need me just as much! #BetterTogetherCA
Learning new technology that I was not familiar with (apple items, iPads, MacBook and all their apps) then learning new curriculum which the other districts where I student taught and subbed for used different materials. It was a completely new learning process #BetterTogetherCA
For evaluating sources - gave the Ss a website/article on TR and Rough Riders and asked if this was the best website to learn about the topic. If so, why? If not, what’s better. Took them the entire 95 minute block to research and justify. #BetterTogetherCA
A2: At the end of the year I make a list of the things I have learned or accomplished throughout the year. Then I start to plan for the next year by again making lists. I’m a list maker. #BetterTogetherCA
A3: I was really happy with how the students monitored their accommodations and chose which ones they didn't need by the end of the year
#BetterTogetherCA#SpedChat
Q2: To reflect, I go over everything our class was able to accomplish this year - and what things we didn't get to (and why!) I look for opportunities for PD to continue my professional growth over summer - to help me be a better T for my Ss. #BetterTogetherCA
This was round 1. Round 3 will be a compromise of their Oreo dessert requests. They get a basket of ingredients, write out the recipe as they create. #BetterTogetherCA
A2) I shared this last week- Proud of my colleagues and our collaborative effort and pleased with student's authentic display of their learning. #bettertogetherCA
A3: introducing independent reading time daily and conferring w/Ss during this time. My Ss loves it and always asked, “Are we independent reading yet?” They left my class loving books & reading. #BetterTogetherCA
Q3: We created a Makerspace in our classroom this year. My students did monthly STEM challenges together w/ their GenEd peers and they did Monthly MakerMats from @brookebrowntpt @ home with their families. The students LOVED the hands-on activities. #BetterTogetherCA
Thank you. I told my students it’s a learning experience for both us. Everyone is ALWAYS learning. My motto is, I’m not perfect, and I do make mistakes. Never give up and always keep trying. #BetterTogetherCA
That’s our ultimate goal as a teacher. Right? To help teach skills and help students build self monitoring systems to empower their learning. #BetterTogetherCA
A2: I'm on a different planning cycle than most. I have 45 wk yr so right about now I start rearranging my rm. I teach an elective in summer term & plan next around it. I use summer to test my ideas - thus I asked to teach cooking this summer. #BetterTogetherCA
A3) I shared this last week- Proud of my colleagues and our collaborative effort and pleased with student's authentic display of their learning. #bettertogetherCA
A3: My most successful project was my 5th grade Egg Drop Project 🥚 The students started by learning about gravity, designed an egg carrier, built an egg carrier, tested, remodeled their carrier, completed reflective writing, then 3D printed their final model. #BetterTogetherCA
A2: Each day is write notes to myself about how to improve lesson next year. At end of each unit I to organize them in my planner to use as a guide for next year. #BetterTogetherCA
A3: supporting K-6 classroom teachers implement new tools and curriculum in new ELA adoption; more evidence of growth mindset at my site and new professional learning around SEL #BetterTogetherCA
We are going to an AVID institute as a school after the school year ends. A few of us are also going to a NGSS training at the end of the month. As a CUE board member, I also get to participate in a Leadership Development Institute - super exciting! #CUELA#BetterTogetherCA
A4: Collaborative research project that went great the year before completely tanked this year. Need to revise how students use time during class. #BetterTogetherCA
A4: I had grand plans to do more PBL but just didn't get to it because of time. I also had Kinders in my room this year & that is always an adjustment. I have to remind myself just how little they are and how much training they need! #BetterTogetherCA
A4: Ted Talks; need to restructure, create scaffolded activity for ELLs and SPED, provide more opportunities for Ss to practice.
#20Time Projects; need to find ways to keep Ss motivated and focused.
#BetterTogetherCA
A4: This year my states unit fell apart. I didn’t set enough time 🕗 for the students to dive into the unit. Next year I am going to start the unit before the end of the year so students can connect writing to our US States. 📝🇺🇸 #BetterTogetherCA
A4: I had a student teacher run my body systems unit. He already worked in another dept at our school so he was solid. I got way ahead of sched & had more time for genius hour (thus the yes to cooking). I have another student teacher next yr. Add a unit? #BetterTogetherCA
I look forward to seeing our class next year consistently harvesting and eating more salads from our class garden. Next year I’m making a schedule and a routine to make this happen more often. #BetterTogetherCA🥗👍😀
A4. My unit on extreme sports was going well until the final project. Not enough Ss choice! It felt like factory production. Choice is so vital! They truly own their learning then! #BetterTogetherCA
A4) Continued area for growth, working as a department on skill based benchmark assessments that accurately measure student progres and provide appropriate access to those benchmarks for ALL students. #bettertogetherCA
A4. My unit on extreme sports was going well until the final project. Not enough Ss choice! It felt like factory production. Choice is so vital! They truly own their learning then! #BetterTogetherCA
I miss 5th grade states projects, but Westward Expansion and the Gold Rush is an awesome unit of study too. We added a musical this year with the help of our drama teacher. #BetterTogetherCA
It has evolved over the last several school years, each year it's a little different and the teachers involved do so willingly and passionately. #bettertogetherCA
A4 #BetterTogetherCA Well for us it can vary by school site. I think the biggest challenge we face as a nonprofit partner is building good relationships with teachers early enough to make a big difference. Volunteers can make a big impact if the work is collaborative.
A5: I will do my fair share of planning/prepping. I may end up teaching summer school if they call me. But most importantly - I will rest & recharge! I will not be amazing for my Ss otherwise. We have a summer break for a reason! :) #BetterTogetherCA
#BetterTogetherCA A3 when lessons went right that’s because I did a pre and post assessment prior to the final assessment to see where the students needed help and go back and help them.
A5: revising APUSH reading calendar and writing instruction, working with colleagues on flexible classroom design ideas, working with team to better implement new framework throughout district #BetterTogetherCA
A5: Currently at #APReading to gain insight, revisit areas for growth, look into VR/AR opportunities, really want to move towards grading via mastery
Read something non-educational, relax, and rest!
#BetterTogetherCA
A5: Rest. I give 120% all year long and I need to recharge my batteries in order to do it all again come the end of summer. I see a lot of sunshine, beach days, and books in my future. #BetterTogetherCA
Hmm.. finish teaching summer school, my Masters graduation, then relaxation! Planning I’ll try and squeeze some in. Personalized learning is what I’ll be planning. #BetterTogetherCA
A4 #BetterTogetherCA We are already preparing to go into 7 new schools next year. We meet with principals and administrators and the VISTA to ensure everyone is on the same page and then ask how they envision the volunteer program running at their school site.
Q6: Tag any colleagues or fellow Ts who helped you push through a challenge this school year OR tag a great reflective practitioner you know. #BetterTogetherCA
On a professional development level I’d like to do more speaking, lead PD, create more videos, and participate in more podcasts. But I’ll balance it with some yoga and boxing. #BetterTogetherCA
A6: I really couldn't have gotten through this year w/o @MrsBarnett_Tchr - both on a professional and personal level. Just having someone that understands what a T goes through on a daily basis - someone who pushes my own reflection of practice. Thanks, girl! #BetterTogetherCA
Q6: Tag any colleagues or fellow Ts who helped you push through a challenge this school year OR tag a great reflective practitioner you know. #BetterTogetherCA
#BetterTogetherCA A5 to plan for next school year I will get together with my 4 coworkers who I share the same wing with since we will collaborate together, and plan, and reflect, and give feedback to each other.
I have a stack of books to read: professional and “beach reads”, sleep, hang with fam & friends, and send postcards to my new students to inform them that 2018-19 is gunna blow them away! #BetterTogetherCA
A6) Thanks to @TeachStills for getting me into this Twitter PLN and @KVoge71 for sharing strategies daily and participating in twitter chats, otherwise I wouldn't know they existed! #bettertogetherCA
Q6: Tag any colleagues or fellow Ts who helped you push through a challenge this school year OR tag a great reflective practitioner you know. #BetterTogetherCA
#BetterTogetherCA A6 @LJCteach this goes out to my Tech Coach for pushing me and supporting me to learn all these apple devices this school year. Look Lisa I’m even participating in a twitter chat, I figured this out tonight!
In reply to
@Hippycatlover, @CATeacherSummit, @JoriKrulder, @MzArzola, @D4wnDavis, @LJCteach
Q6: Tag any colleagues or fellow Ts who helped you push through a challenge this school year OR tag a great reflective practitioner you know. #BetterTogetherCA
A favorite memory from this school year is an impromptu weekly lunch club we started to build relationships in and out of the classroom that will now last a lifetime. #BetterTogetherCA
#BetterTogetherCA A7. My favorite memory from this year was the last day of school seeing my students cry because they said they were going to miss me and thanked me for all I did for them.
A7 #BetterTogetherCA Having teachers come up to me the last week of May and tell me how much they appreciated all the help the volunteers were to them. Having students thank me "the boss" because they loved their volunteer in the classroom. They see them as an extension of staff.
A7 - great Q! I think it was the giant hugs I received on the last day of school. Middle school SS can be a prickly bunch. Some kids gave me hugs that said more than their words did. #lovemyjob#BETTERTOGETHERCA
A7: I did perspective drawings last wk (hard for 5ths) so I could tie in Volume formula. One girl asked to take extra sheets home. I think I found an architect! #BetterTogetherCA
My favorite memory this year was watching our k-2 kids get their medals 🏅 at the @kids_run_the_oc event. I was so overwhelmed by the kids endurance and the amount of staff that came to support my crazy idea this year. #bettertogetherCA
Her book "The Kickstart Guide of Making Great Makerspaces" is also a must - it helped with the planning of our own Makerspace in my classroom. #BetterTogetherCA
In reply to
@smgaillard, @rcollins_edu, @jennifer_burdis, @LFlemingEDU
Thanks for joining! The next #BetterTogetherCA chat is Monday, July 2 at 7pm and we’ll be chatting about how gear up for the Better Together: California Teachers Summit. Don’t miss it!
I’m happy to announce that thanks to @dbc_inc I wrote a book The EduNinja Mindset 11 Habits For Building a Stronger Mind and Body It’s almost here! Preorder information can be found at: https://t.co/Is0GW3a6aM#BetterTogetherCA
