Like that one time in Utah when a kind gallery attendant pointed at me and asked my wife whether I needed an interpreter, teacher PDs, no matter how well-intentioned, can often come across as just a little bit condescending. You are all incredible educators because you have the rare combination of kindness, patience, intelligence, industry, and humility; and probably not because you sat through PDs teaching you how to put things students already know under the “K” column in a KWL chart.
During Thinking Generator feedback meetings, a few of you asked when the next training on TGs would be. The answer? Whenever you want. Reach out to your colleagues, APs, coaches, or myself, as you are planning and we’ll do our best to support. Our work isn’t about learning how to flip the same burger on the same stove at the same temperature on the same grill; few workplace require dynamic skill sets like a classroom does, and effective instruction isn’t learned via PDs but refined through shared experiences and guidance. We want you to be supported as you do your job, not when you’ve already finished your job of battling 30 children on a Monday afternoon.
Email me your lesson objective and I will respond with ideas on TGs within hours. If I’m of no help I can always send you to Ms. Green in room 409: her masterful TGs (“When you’re doing a close reading of a text, how do you know when you’re “close” enough?”) are literally thinking offers you can’t refuse.
HIGHLIGHTS
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
9/26 Monday afternoon: K-5 teachers will meet briefly with Personalized Learning Leader Ms. Mintiens to learn about how teachers can flag struggling students for academic intervention services. It is important that our school provide and monitor timely interventions before students are referred or recommended for special services.
Parent Coordinator: We will begin searching for a parent coordinator next week. Ms. Roridguez did a fantastic job this last year and we wish her the best. In the meantime, please seek out members of our climate and guidance team to support you with connecting with families.
Plan Ahead for Good Times: We had a long week, and we will be rewarded with an extra-long weekend next week for Rosh Hashanah. No school 10/3-4.
EXTRA READING:
Read the above mentioned article for More Insight on Teacher Professional Learning:
“No professionals say, ‘I became great at my work by attending workshops.’ Why do we treat teaching differently?” by Kenneth Baum and David Krulwich
mrkobot.com 