Ron Clark Academy

On June 1st, our last day of the 2016-2017 school year, the four of us boarded our flight to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend a fast and furious few days of professional learning at the Ron Clark Academy! While our school was being prepped for demolition, we were about to embark on the beginning of our 2017-2018 learning journey.  Sure I had read Ron Clark's book, The Essential 55, as well as Move Your Bus, but nothing compares to being at Ron Clark Academy, learning from the teachers, students and parents who make up this learning community!  

                        

We traveled in groups to various parts of the school, learning about what makes this place special.  As we sat in Ron Clark's classroom, we saw a 5th grade math lesson.  This wasn't your typical classroom of students sitting in rows, with teachers standing around the room observing.  It was an active learning environment, where students worked in collaborative groups, higher level thinking was encouraged and most of all, learners were held accountable.  

     

 

Mr. Clark referred to his Essential 5 for the classroom.

*Tracking:  All learners should follow, with their eyes, the speaker.  

*Stand up when sharing answer & justification 

*Class/House points.  

*Higher level questioning for each lesson/standard 

*Self reflection (If I looked through your window what would I see?)

As he spoke about the essential 5 listed above, he shared some "advice" for all teachers.  Be intentional with your time; don't waste it!  We must look at how we learn and adjust our learning/teaching speed.  As an educator, it is vital that you always face your audience. Our feet should always face the audience, even when writing on the board!  One of my goals for this year, based on Mr. Clark's advice is to allow ample wait time for learners to help answer questions.

Mr. Clark shared the story of Ron Clark Academy.  It's a process; not one that just evolved overnight.  He strongly believes in the motto, "if you build it, they will come."  It's taken 10 years for RCA to be where it is today.  With that being said, it's an evolving finished product.  He focuses on creating the moment!  Besides having a structure, you must build your learning community.  Mr. Clark reached out to the families of RCA by making home visits.  This showed families that their story was an integral part of RCA.  Parents and siblings are part of each learner's story...it's vital we reach out to them!

Within the walls of RCA, all learners are members of a House family.  This provides much needed support for all stakeholders, while creating a competitive atmosphere!  Our school utilizes the house system for our Falcon Way time.  I've also seen teachers have house competitions amongst their classes, based on behavior and class performance.

Officially Slide Certified

As part of the "initiation" into the houses, all learners at RCA become slide certified.  At the end of our first day, all of the educators went down the spiral slide in the main entrance of the building.  With all of the cheering and music, who couldn't help but feel a part of the RCA family!

           

Advice given to a new teacher, can also be followed by us experienced teachers!  Remember to take a breath and go for your goals.  Have no fear and look at the bumps in the road as part of your story, not roadblocks that hinder success.  Change is an opportunity for us to become step out of comfort zone and embrace new ideas.  Flexibility is key to achieving success.  We must continue to challenge ourselves to be creative, especially when it comes to creating a meaningful learning environment for our school community! As we embrace change and flexibility in our learning community, we must find balance between home and school (a hard lesson for all of us!)  It's time to embrace the excitement of our learning journeys!  

As we end one year and start preparing for our upcoming year, it's time to remember why we are teachers.  We are teachers because of the impact made on others, as well as ourselves.  We must make each individual feel special.  Adam Dovico spoke with our group about how to make others feel special, by using the following acronym:  

S-shake hands 

P-posture 

E-eye contact 

C-charm (smile)

I-introduce yourself 

A-ask a question 

L-listen & lean 

As the first days of school approach, it's important to know each child's name.  I can speak from experience how much this matters to both the learners in our rooms, as well as their families.  Back in 1989, my parents sat in a parent conference with my science teacher.  After 60+ days of instruction, the teacher could not remember my name; she had no idea who I was.  Just because I was a quiet child and did as I was told, did not mean I didn't have a story to tell.  The feeling of shock and dismay resonated with my parents and impacted who I am as a teacher today.  It is my goal to know each child's name within the first week of school, as well as a bit about who they are.  It's time to be intentional and invest in our leaners!  

I began and ended my time at Ron Clark Academy in Kim Bearden's classroom.  She served as a reminder of why we are teachers, despite when things seem way out of our control and making the most of every opportunity!  During our last session, we split into grade level groups and talked about issues we faced.  From K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and administrators we began collaborating.  To be completely honest, these breakout sessions served as a reminder of how different teachers are and where we are in the process of becoming 21st century facilitators.

One of the most talked about topics was discipline.  I was amazed at how many became fired up when this was brought up.  Most believed the best solution was to send the child to the office.  I wondered how many paid attention to our two days of learning, where building relationships with all stakeholders is vital to the success of the learning environment.  As a solution, it was suggested to have scenarios (based on the previous year's discipline referral data) for teachers to look at during the week of professional learning, leading up to the first day of school.  This would allow teachers to listen to each other and become like minded in their approach to handling various situations.

Questions arose about how to get parent support, especially as kids get older.  Just because kids get older doesn't mean parents don't want to be involved in their child's education!  Our group shared ideas about hosting parents workshops.  I immediately thought of the power of hosting various technology workshops for our parents such as one on Google classroom and Skyward.  One school brought up the importance of having parent conferences.  I had to chime in on the power of our digital goal setting conferences when it came to building relationships with our parents.  One mom even told me, "You are a breath of fresh air!"  Why you ask?  Because I was open to guiding parents through the process of embracing technology rather than looking at them as unknowing.  We must remember, we are all life long learners!  

As each groups shared out about their discussion, Kim shared her advice on coping with life, when things don't seem to be going well.

• Remember that you write the pages of your stories...don't allow outside factors to define who you are!
• Empower others, as the exponential effect goes on forever!  
• Lifting others up only lifts you up; you have significance!  
• Seek significance (being someone), not achievements (things)! 

A glimpse into a few of the classrooms, I had the pleasure of visiting while at RCA!

View from a 6th grade history class that was girls only!  Today's lesson focused on Tupac and his music

Summit Attack...great review...team of 3-4. Teacher reads problem, no WKSH. After 1st completion, 10 seconds to ensure  everyone knows the process...error analysis. Roll dice. If 6, group 6, call on member to explain answer. If correct, Place 3 xs on board. Continue play!

Advice to first year teacher, use Class Flow and be FLEXIBLE!

As we begin the 2017-2018 school year, I am encouraged to be intentional with all opportunities that I encounter.  It's vital to remember that I am a teacher for all learners, not just the students in room 1215.  Intentionality will serve as my guide as to who I surround myself with.  It's important to fuel my soul with positive energy and life-long learners, listen to others and remember it is me who brings magic to our classroom, not things. It's the love & believing in our learners that makes our classrooms a safe place for learning, where learners are willing to take risks as they reach for their goals!   

It's time to change the perception of school...especially on social media...it's time to tell OUR story!   

What Being a Teacher is All About

It's hard to believe it's the last day of the 2016-2017 school year!  It feels like I just unpacked my belongings, transforming a room into a family.  It's been a year filled with growth and reflection; a year filled with changes; a year filled with 21st century learning!  

This morning, I received this email:  

Walking into eighth grade; I had high expectations, joyful hopes and prayers, and no idea what was ahead of me! Eighth grade year was the hardest year of middle school, but also the most rewarding.

Starting the school year, I didn't have Ms. Pauley or room 27 to lean on. I had a teacher that was very sweet, but there was always challenges when I spent hours doing one IXL, but it was because I wasn't taught in a way that was effective for me. I take my school work a little too seriously, and always try to go beyond what is expected. I get anxious if I don't understand the material fully and completely. I started getting so worried that I talked to Ms. Taylor, my seventh grade math teacher, for help and tutorials. One day, I walked in and she simply told me not to worry about it, and she was really excited for what was coming.

The next day, I was doing my daily skyward check, and noticed Ms. Pauley's name as my Algebra teacher! That's when I first figured out she would be my upcoming teacher, and what Ms. Taylor was talking about. 

Our first day of class with Ms. Pauley, I was super prepared! I knew she was going to teach me on the level I was willing to take, and give me the challenges I was ready to face. I remember on the first day her explaining how we would start goal setting, and I remember thinking first test grade will be a breeze for me! I've been setting goals for myself for as long as I can remember, and consider myself a natural goal setter! We started our goal setting process by scheduling a time. I scheduled my time for the first spot I was available! November 3rd to be exact. I remember this day like it was yesterday. This day is probably the most memorable day of middle school for me.

November 3rd comes, and I was not having a good morning at all! I barely got any sleep because I was up all night throwing up from food poisoning, and felt like complete trash. The only reason I came to school that day was because I didn't feel like finding another day to fit in a goal setting conference with my packed schedule. 

I walked in, and there were already students in there ready to state their future plans and aspirations. Ms. Pauley started by asking me what my eighth grade goals were- I showed her my goal check list, and she was very pleased with what I showed her. She asked where I wanted to go to college, and what I wanted to be when I grow up. My answer was, and still is I don't know. I started listing some things that I might be interested in, one of them being a teacher.  As soon as I said that her eyes lit up, and told me that I was going to join morning duty with her, and start lessons on how to be a teacher. That changed my hectic morning into a phenomenal day!

As the days went by, I'd open up to Ms. Pauley more and more. She would calm me when I was overwhelmed with emotions, and give me advice that would change my way of thinking. Ms. Pauley would make me want to come to school, and became way more than a teacher to me; she became a role model, hero, therapist, friend, an unlimited supply of food and hugs, and a second mom! 

I've learned many many lessons from Ms. Pauley that I will keep in the back of my life for the rest of my life! One of them being always appreciate your momma! Ms. Pauley really helped me learn to be more grateful for my mom, and realize how much she truly does for me. She taught me if you're going to take notes, teacher pens are the go to! My note taking skills are 10/10 this year with all the paper folding and colorful pens. When people would be rude to me, she helped me learn how to stop wasting my time and energy on people not worth it, and how to work with those I did not see eye to eye with.  Ms. Pauley taught me how to find joy in each and every day! She showed me to better invest in people because not doing so could lead to heartbreak. Most importantly she taught me to always go for my goals, and know that I'm capable of far more than I think I am!  She helped me reach my full potential.  

Audrey met her goal of being the valedictorian of her 8th grade class! 

Ms. Pauley and I are members of the hot mess express (#HME) running on lattes and goals. We shared our thoughts, dreams, goals, ideas, moments, and everything in between. She was patient with my craziness, prayerful for my stress, and joyful for my accomplishments! Leaving middle school, the memories I have made with her will continue on to high school. And we will continue to make more.  She will witness my theatre productions, my sport games, and me walking across the stage in the year of 2021. She will continue to be one of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters!  

As I walk to high school for the next chapter of my life, I will cherish and remember the moments I made with Ms. Pauley. She made a huge impact on me that is helping shape me into the woman I'm becoming. Forever thankful for such an unexpected blessing like her to show up in my last year at middle school!  

To the class of 2021, remember to pursue your goals, viewing obstacles and learning opportunities.  I am so excited for all that you accomplish!  

A Celebration of OUR Story

It's hard to believe the end of our year is coming to an end!  It's been a year of growing and reflecting as we've been thrown many curveballs.  One of the most exciting chapters of learning during the 2016-2017 school year, was earning our STEM certification.

Beginning in December 2016, we spent countless hours working during PLC, over coffee on a Saturday morning and even some nights after school!  There were times when the end seem so far away but with the help of each other, we all achieve what seemed to be the impossible...our STEM certification.

Sure we spent time watching videos and submitting our digital reflections, but it was the impromptu conversations we had during our school day and over text during the weekend.  The conversations that brought reassurance that we are all a team working towards one common goal....student success!  You could often find us talking with each other about certain indicators that we struggled with or indicators that brought success.  Celebrations occurred as we each received the infamous "firework" email stating we had completed our certification process! 

 

I couldn't be more proud of our teachers.  Over the past six months, a change in mindset began to unfold in the hallways of NRMS.  A change from teacher-led instruction to student-centered classrooms. A change from pencil and paper tasks to inquiry-based activities.  Teachers began to step out of their comfort zones and try new ideas that we learned about during the certification process.  We began to lean on each other in ways we never thought possible.  

As a department, we have common goals for our upcoming year.  Those of having the same group roles for our learners to truly implementing interactive notebooks, where learners are reflecting on their learning.  

Yesterday, all of the 6th & 7th Falcons and NRMS staff members, came together to celebrate becoming the first nationally STEM certified middle school.  Hearing words from our district leadership team, as well as Dr. Judy Zimney, from National Institute of STEM Education, were truly inspiring.  We have so many supporting our STEM journey!  

                

As Dr. Clarence Simmons spoke to our Falcons, he left them with the question of, "What will your legacy be?"  It is so imperative that we all think towards the future and what impact we have on each others' success.  As we move into our new building, our 7th graders will be the first to graduate from NRMS.  They will set the tone for our year together.  I'm excited to be apart of their legacy and hope to help them achieve their goals!  

Dr. Zimny followed Dr. Simmons by encouraging our school community to think like scientists during the summer and beyond.  In order to think like a scientist, we must be a learner.  Look at all situations as learning opportunities, rather than obstacles.  They more we know, the more we can do!  She encouraged us to be strong and have an I can mindset; to be the best we can be.  Dr. Zimny's final point was to be resilient.  We must not allow failures to define us.  By following these three guidelines, nothing will hold us back!  

Our day of celebration continued that evening with a dinner hosted by curriculum and instruction.  Our science department chair, Karen Sanchez, and myself were asked to share about STEM experiences, which was an incredible honor.  I love sharing about how proud I am of our department and their desire to be the best for our learners!  

Hearing the excitement during these last days of May, from both each other and our leadership team, make this next chapter in our learning journey that much more exciting!  We are preparing our learners to be 21st century learners, which alleviates the chaos of packing and moving into our new building more bearable.  

Stay tuned as we turn the page in the story of NRMS...

The Impact of 140 Characters

Twitter has become a way of life for me.  I find myself scrolling through to catch the latest headlines, as well as following inspirational educators.  I've been on Twitter since 2014 and love the connections I have made with others.  Twitter has become the digital platform I use to share the story of the learners in Room 27!  (just search #nrmsproud to see all of the great accomplishments of our Falcons!)  

One of my most favorite parts of Twitter is being able to connect with others around the world!  During a recent Twitter Chat, hosted by @DiscoveryEd, I read about the Power of STEM Day.  I couldn't help but think this would be an incredible experience for our Falcons and what perfect timing as we were about to embark on our first PBL, focusing on STEM careers and higher education.

#DESTEMchat

The more I read, the more excited I became!  Check out Power of Stem Day hosted by Siemens for more information.  A STEM challenge was planned.  Each group's goal was to create the strongest tower that would hold the weight of one marshmallow.  Students were split into groups and given 20 pieces of spaghetti, 3 feet of masking tape, 3 feet of string and 1 marshmallow.

Prior to officially starting the 5:00 minutes, learners were asked to think about how they could contribute to the team, based on the task.  Would it be by managing the supplies?  Leading the creativity? Or encouraging others?  After the 1 minute was up, our 5 minutes began.  As I walked around our room, I noticed how each group took a different approach to achieving the task.  Some collaborated first, while others jumped right into creating!  I love how all learners are respected for their contributions to the group.   The timer was set for 5 minutes and the innovative problem solving began!

The timer rang and everyone stopped.  Again, I asked that each learner reflect on how their group was working and to write it down.  Stress was high as they only "had" 5 minutes to create.  Another 5 minutes was put on the timer and the creativity continued!  Tension was lowered due to not having a time constraint of only 5 minutes.  Many learners mentioned that the time parameters stressed them out.  Again, all real world learning opportunities!

When we achieved our goal of creating the strongest tower, it was time to take our reflecting past the standard Post-It note and to the digital world!  I shared my Twitter feed with all classes, explaining who I choose to follow and why, as well as what I post.  It was a great lesson in creating our digital footsteps.

 

As students began to tweet about our STEM challenge, they became more excited as others across the nation liked and retweeted their pictures!  Opening their eyes to what the world holds is what learning is all about.  I love sharing new learning opportunities with our Falcons and can't wait to see what amazing things they do with the digital resources they've been exposed to this school year!  

How are you using Twitter with your learners?