You Can Do It!
This is Rita Pierson from a TED talk that she did in 2013. Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don't like.'" A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level. She is an inspiration to many. Unfortunately, she passed away several years ago but I still go to her video when I am reminded of why relationships are so important to teaching and learning.This week I reflected on the conversations I had with you and felt such remarkable pride and admiration at your focus and willinging to 'show up' each day for students. Your dedication is realized in the eyes of those you serve. In addition, we see your efforts in the achievement of students across the building. I had a powerful conversation with the Kindergarten that I shared last week in which they were asking about the purpose of assessment and how it fits into their daily schedule. Our discussion went from thinking about assessment like a test to using assessment in different ways. Consider checklists, observational notes, growth over the week and yes, student work. The idea is not that assessment is something you do in addition to your normal plan. It is the summation of your teaching and whether it worked. Did your kids meet the learning intention by showing evidence using the success criteria. Kids will do better each day when they are motivated by authentic and engaging instruction. It's glued together by your authentic relationship with them as well.
Secondly, I had an important conversation with Paige McGee several weeks ago. Like you she has challenging students in her classroom. Her motivation is high and it's clear that she wants to provide an invitational environment. She's been working on these relationships with her students every day. Even when it's difficult. I think what I appreciate most about her is that she is consistently working to problem solve with me and other members of the student support team to make her classroom more and more engaging. This work is paying off! Her last two CFA scores in math were significantly higher than they have been this year.
It's simple
During professional development this week we will be working on how we will finish strong and raise MAP scores in MAY. It's hard to believe that we have less than 40 days left to finish this year. It's going to take all of us to finish with the goals in mind and child relationship at the forefront of our efforts!
My individual strength is my sincere intention to connect with all of my students. I make it a point each morning to talk with as many students as I can in a variety of ways that aren't necessarily school connected ie, How was your basketball game, did you play with your new puppy after school, I like hair today, etc. I feel that these things help my students feel seen and in turn make me more approachable and them more willing to work harder knowing that I value them.
ReplyDeleteAs a team I feel that we are calm and consistent with our students. I believe these two things allow our students to know that they are safe, a crucial component for school success.
I have always been able to make those personal connections with my students. Whether it is by simply adding my kiddos to Math story problems, sharing real life situations regarding my kiddos with them that relates to what we are learning, etc. I have let them know that I am human, a person outside of school too. They love to hear at the beginning of the year about how much I love mistakes, because if it weren't for mistakes, we would never learn. I often tell them the story about how I backed into my Dad's truck when I was first learning to drive because I didn't want to take the time to clean the frost off my windows. I use this example to show them that it was a mistake, and I learned from it. Do I still make mistakes? Absolutely, but the important thing, is I learn from them and that is what helps me continue to grow and makes me stronger.
ReplyDeleteStudents love seeing a glimpse into your personal life. They need to have a way of connecting with you. My students are always asking me how the boys did in their sports, do I have pics or videos? They have thoroughly enjoyed having them pop in on occasion and getting to meet them. It has made me "real" to them and this is what helps me connect and make that personal connection with the students.
I also believe that every child can succeed. I love the part where she put a smiley face on the students paper who got a 2/18. I believe that we should celebrate EVERY success no matter how big or small. Even though we may not see immediate results from celebrating these small successes, they do add up!
As a team, we are in constant communication and the students know we are team players. Recently we have had some girl drama in our grade and the students were made aware right away that we would be working to solve this as a team. We constantly support each other and our students to help them be as successful as they can be.
It has been fun to see my students grow over these past two years. The nearing end of this year is bittersweet. I plan on finishing as strong as we started. Celebrating those successes, no matter how big or small and letting each student know just how much they have grown, how much they have learned and how they can take what I have instilled in them and continue to apply that to their upcoming educational years.
I think my individual strength is paying attention to frustration levels as students work. If they are in the learning pit and stop trying to work with partners and use strategies, I know that I need to intervene before they completely shut down or their behavior turns and escalates from their frustration. They have moved beyond a productive struggle. This is where I rely on the relationship I have with them.
ReplyDeleteAs a team, we all use our relationships with our students to provide a welcoming learning environment.
My strength is establishing and maintaining rapport with students and staff. Most of our students are interacting and learning from several of us. We are leading by example in showing them we have good adult rapport, and are on the same page in supporting them.
ReplyDeleteFirst Grade:
ReplyDeleteRachelle: Always having meaningful conversations about kids' lives - weekends, their sports, their families, relating to them in ways other than just school and always showing them a great sense of care and kindness
Megan: Morning greetings tailored to each student and expressing she is glad they are at school, kids look forward to that.
Emily: Discussing things with students that went well each day, problem solving in the classroom as much as possible, letting students know every single day how great it is that they are at school
Team: As a team we have a genuine want to know each student throughout the grade level. We have meaningful conversations with each student, not just our own. We discuss their weekends and interests, we check in on them, and work together to meet student needs.