#observeme

Because of our goal-setting conferences and STEM certification modules, I began to feel a need for personal growth.  I found I was using the same instructional strategies day in and day out.  If I was becoming bored with the monotony, I know my learners were too!  

Coming back after Thanksgiving break, feeling rested and ready to conquer the next 15 days of learning opportunities, I now have the following sign hanging outside of Room 27.  

#observeme

I encourage all educators to either have a coworker come observe or set up an iPad to record a lesson.  It's amazing to have an "outsider" perspective into your learning environment.  During the 2015-2016 school year, I was on a campus that encouraged this process, 360 Reflection.  The 360 Reflection process included recording a lesson, setting goals based on the digital artifact, discussions with our learning liaison and coworkers, classroom observations and student voice.  All compiled to not only help me be a more focused, intentional teacher, but also made my students achieve a higher level of personal success!  

Here's are a few examples of surveys I have used in our classroom:

 A Student's Perspective: Your Voice Matters

A Parent's Perspective on Goal Setting

Typically, I will post this in Google classroom, send an email or remind message or post on Skyward.  One bit of advice I have is to keep it unanimous.  Students will be more willing to share their exact feelings and thoughts if they know there will be no negative consequences.

What will you do to  collect data to better improve your learning environment?  

Kicking off our STEM Certfication!

 Domain 1:  Creating an Environment for Learning 

We had nearly 2 weeks to think about which option for certification worked best for us.  Tough decisions were made and it was decided that some of our certification modules would be completed during our department PLC, some with both our math & science departments (after all it’s about both of our content areas!), while others would require some of our personal time. 

On Friday, December 2, 2016, we meet as a department in our computer lab, where we kicked off our STEM certification!  Our focus, Domain 1: Creating an Environment for Learning.  Kathryn walked us through the website and we began to dive into our online curriculum.  

We were given an article to read and collaborate on with our shoulder partners: Building Empathy in Classrooms & Schools and then watched a classroom video, which would lead to thought provoking discussions on what makes a learning environment positive.  

I must be honest, after watching the video and hearing my peers thoughts, the wheels begin to spin.  Spin because I realized just how vast our experience and knowledge as teachers is within our department.  We each have different ideas as far as what a positive learning environment looks, sounds and feels like.  By going through our certification together, we will grow together and help each other grow in this aspect.  After all, we are learners too!  

Observing each other was the next task on our agenda!  I always love observing others' classrooms because you can always learn something new.  From a new way to group students or an instructional strategy to implement in our classrooms, powerful conversations amongst my team members evolved!

Guiding Questions for our Video Reflection & Classroom Observations

1. How would you characterize the majority of interactions between the teacher and student?

2. Describe what you would consider to be positive interactions.  How do you determine which interactions are positive?

3. Describe any interactions you observed that you would have changed, and how you would have changed them.