When children/students are taught with dignity and respect in a stress free environment they will grow in their knowledge to take ownership of their learning.

Thinking:

Establishing the dignity and respect heavily relies on the appropriate implementation and use of the Boys Town Social Skills Model as it provides an equitable and respectful foundation and structure.

Wondering:

We wonder how stereotyping and/or previous knowledge of students’ and/or family systems affects the teacher’s expectations and classroom practices.

#2 Belief:

As teachers we are all focused on the success of the whole child as we teach our students: social skills, self-esteem, respect for themselves and others, how to be self-learners, to be accountable, and academics

Thinking:

Students can achieve success by: having an organized safe, actively engaged, interactive and fun learning environment and recognizing that students can be successful by providing ample opportunities to learn

Wondering:

What other job is more important than teaching?

Belief:

Every student learns differently.

Thinking:

Teachers need to step out of their comfort zones to reach all learning styles. Teachers need to address the different combinations of learning styles.

Wonder:

How do we make this happen?

What will this type of classroom look like?

# 3 Belief:

Each child is a unique individual whose uniqueness needs to be maintained within a safe structure that provides opportunities for each individual to learn and grow.

Thinking:

A positive environment is necessary so each child finds acceptance for the person he/she is and develops relationships for cooperation and communication.

Expectations need to be modeled.

-         Differentiated leaning and teaching styles are implemented.

-         Activities are open ended to reach multiple levels of achievement.

-         Appropriate hands on activities are utilized to keep the learner engaged.

-         Learning is experienced in a meaningful context.

-         Learning is inviting but maintains a balance in levity.

Wonder:

How can I teach to each individual within the whole class setting?

#4 Belief:

Positive parent involvement, organization, and structure are a key part in a child’s success both in and out of school.

Thinking:

We think parents don’t understand or realize the importance of structure and organization for the success of their child.  Parents need to be involved and proved a positive attitude toward school and homework.

Wonder:

Do parents know what kind of role the environment at home plays on a student’s school life?

How do we show parents the impact they make?

What type of values if any are taught to students at home?

#5 Belief:

Teachers have a profound affect on the lives of their students.

Thinking:

We hear so often about the positive impact teachers make however, it is important not to lose sight that the impact we make can also be a negative one. The choice is yours. If you want your students to be excited about learning and engaged in the lessons then you as a teacher need to be excited to teach and engaging. Try new things, take risks, be positive.

Wonder:

Do you want your students to leave your room and grow up saying and thinking of their time spent with you in a positive or negative way?   If you go in everyday and do the same things and are boring how can you expect anything different from your students?

I would like to share a thought. This has been such an interesting first quarter. I feel as if so much of my time has been taken up dealing with major behavior issues in K and 2nd (student behaviors:-) that I have not had the time in the classrooms that I prefer. My efforts to be in classrooms, doing formal observations or not, will be very focused in the coming weeks and months. I look forward to seeing you “in action.”

I am proud to say that with lots of supports in place we have really worked hard to make good decisions for all our students at Jefferson. It has not been without its bumps, however.

My expectations are that all Faculty will comment a minimum of twice a month.

Please view this as an opportunity to share your thoughts. Also, I would welcome comments from a PLC group.