Recalculating...

Have you ever turned off your GPS because it began to repeat...."recalculating." Lola (my GPS named so after Lola from RV) has often and in her best British accent kept me going in the right direction! I was listening to Dr. Atkinson at a meeting and she talked about how wonderful it is to have these modern tools to tell us if we are going in the right direction. She compared this to the tools we have in our schools. We now have access to tons of useable data about the academic growth of our students. DId that students master goal 1? Do I need to find a way to reteach objective 4? With this data we know sooner rather than later if we need to reteach a concept. Rather than waiting for EOG/EOC scores at the end of the year, we can measure a student's progress all along. I am certainly glad Lola tells me I am going the wrong directions quickly rather than waiting until I am a few hours down the highway!

How often do we hear or recognize the need to recalculate in our classrooms? Do you turn off your GPS or stop to think about ways to reteach?

Have a great week!

Week of October 4

The month of October is going to be a very busy month! Looking at my calendar makes me TIRED!

On Monday I attended a study group meeting with the NC Public School Forum. I also learn so much at these meetings! We heard from Dr. Peele and had good conversation about quality leadership. One of Dr. Peele's slides really stood out to me. According to Marzano, school leadership is second only to quality instruction on student performance. Wow! We all realize the importance of effective teachers on student performance, but I don't think we really think about the importance of our school's administrators in this process. In teaching, like all professions, the best want to work for the best. Great leadership attracts great teachers! Great teachers create effective, quality learning environments.

On Tuesday I had a great experience at NC EPFP. We heard from John Davis. He had some fascinating data and information regarding politics in NC. He made some predictions for our great state in regards to November elections. I guess we will find out soon!

On Wednesday and Thursday the SBE met. Some great topics were discussed during committee meetings on Wednesday. If you have not take the time to really look at the work with ACRE, I encourage you to spend some time on the DPI website learning more. Again, a link to the SBE highlights is found to the right!

I left the SBE meeting on Thursday and drove to New Hanover County. I spent the evening at UNCW with U.S. History teachers from New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender Counties. We talked about strategies for goals 6,7 and 8. What a great group of teachers! I left so inspired!

On Friday morning I was back at UNCW to talk with Teacher Cadets. I absolutely love this program and I had a great time talking with future teachers about finding the path to a teaching career! Once I left UNCW I traveled down the road to Brunswick County. I had a wonderful Friday afternoon with some really amazing Social Studies teachers! We talked about making the leap from good to great! It was a great way to end the week!

Whew! What a busy week!

Week of September 27

After Sunday's festivities, I was exhausted....but too excited to sleep! I spent Monday in the office working on presentations and researching a little more on some new and innovative programs in NC!

Tuesday was an exciting and very informative day! Our NC EPFP group participated in the NC STEM Community Collaborative event held at Marbles Kids Museum. I learned so much about NC STEM programs in NC and some innovative ways to teach science and math. Following lunch, we heard from a few dynamic presenters. One I remember in particular talked about how necessary collaboration and teamwork are in education. He made the point that all professions...from Doctors to Superheroes work in teams! For years education seems to have operated in a culture of isolationism. But does that best serve our students? Not at all! I am so excited to see the shift from isolationism to collaboration! The event was concluded that evening with a keynote address from Lt. Governor Walter Dalton at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

On Saturday morning, I was fortunate to meet and spend some time with future science and mathematics teachers! The PERSIST Scholars met at The Friday Institute in Raleigh. These were some very bright, articulate and dedicated students! I was energized by them and I was so glad I could spend the morning with them! You guys are such intelligent, focused, and out-going young adults. I look forward to the day when I can call you my colleagues!

I Love Midway!

Sunday, September 26 was truly an amazing day. My school hosted "Fatch Day" in my honor and invited the community to join in on the celebration! There are not words to describe how special this day was for me and my family. Our School Improvement Team, our Principal, our art teacher and so many others worked to make this a day I will always remember! The food was delicious (Thanks Mrs. Emily) and the banner that Ms. Powell created was beyond awesome! I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such a caring, supportive and genuine school community.

One of the most exciting parts of the day was visiting with my former teachers! So many special people who touched my life in such numerous ways stopped by to give a hug and say hello. To all of my family, friends, former teachers, colleagues, and community, thank you for making this day one I will never forget.

To my MHS friends, thank you for making this so wonderful! You guys know how to celebrate in style! I love you all very much.

Week of September 20

Wow! This is has been a busy but exciting week! The beginning of the week was spent working on some paperwork, learning more about NC FALCON and working on a video blog. I spent Tuesday night at EPFP and enjoyed getting to know some folks I did not have the opportunity to meet last week! Jo Ann and Kendall do such a great job with this class. This week we heard from Ann McColl as she presented her Constitutional Tales. How interesting! I learned some new and fascinating things about the North Carolina Constitution and the development of our state's educational system over time. I love when presenters are so interesting and thought provoking that I go home and immediately begin to research more information on the topic!

On Wednesday I worked on another video blog and prepared for the very busy Thursday and Friday ahead! I spent Thursday and Friday in Greensboro at the NC Public Schools Forum Board meeting. Thursday began with an orientation for new members like myself. I think this is truly a remarkable, intelligent, thoughtful organization. I could listen to John Dornan all day! He always has such great information and insight. On Thursday evening, Dr. Atkinson was our after dinner speaker. She talked about Race to the Top and I think we all learned a great deal and are looking forward to the opportunities this can bring to education in NC. I also had the opportunity to meet some business folks who are very dedicated to improving education. This group really does "roll up their sleeves" and work to bring positive changes in education.

On Friday morning Dr. Peter C. Gorman, Superintendent of Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, presented on the role of teacher effectiveness. He made us all think and there were so many good questions asked. Don't misunderstand, I am not supporting or refuting all of his ideas, I am simply stating that I left there with my wheels turning! His presentation brought forth lots of good questions to consider!

I left the Friday session a little early so that I could attend a luncheon with the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Teacher Education. What a great group! Once I got over the fear that this was a student teaching observation on a massive scale, I had a great time meeting everyone! So many of our state's teacher education programs work diligently to prepare our beginning teachers for life-long careers in education. We talked about reflecting on the past, embracing today and looking toward the future. Thank you guys for inviting me. I had a wonderful time!

Although my new role is a busy and sometimes stressful one, I am truly loving every minute of this year!

The Best Advice ....

Last week I had the opportunity to speak to the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Teacher Education. What a great group! We talked about reflecting on the past, embracing today, and looking toward the future. I started thinking about the wonderful advice and words of wisdom I received from my education professors. I thought it would be fun to listen to other teachers share the best advice they were given in college. I hope you enjoy and I welcome your comments and other words of wisdom!

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

This week as I was driving to a meeting in Raleigh, I notice all the signs. Turn here. Shopping center ahead. I even noticed some folks holding signs such as "Hungry and need food." I started thinking about those wonderful ladies and gentlemen in our classrooms. Wouldn't it be great if they held up signs? "I don't understand how to work that math problem." "I need some help, but I am too shy to ask." "My constant need for attention gets me in trouble. If you would notice me more I might be less disruptive." As a teacher, I have often wished my students could hold up a sign and clue me in!

One of the many difficult tasks classroom teachers face is learning to read the "signs" of their students. We begin to know whose arched eyebrow means "I'm lost" and whose "deer in the headlights" look means "I need to move...my brain is asleep!". Teachers are faced with the task of knowing how to read the signs, facilitate learning and ensure that every student who enters our classroom grows intellectually. Whew...it makes me tired just thinking about all the signs teachers have to read and the many hats that teachers wear.