Wendy Says

Last month, the emerging roll of a teacherpreneur was introduced in this blog. This growing trend has only been happening over the last few years, but it is already making a huge impact in places where administrators are accepting the reality that students need to be taught how to be innovative thinkers if they are going to be solving problems of things we don’t even know about yet. This is the time for the development of teacher-leaders, design-thinkers, and teacherpreneurs. Ariel Sacks, a member of the TeacherSolutions 2030 Team, has “predicted that the schools of 2030 will need growing numbers of teacherpreneurs, which she described as teacher leaders of proven accomplishment who have a deep knowledge of how to teach, a clear understanding of what strategies must be in play to make schools highly successful, and the skills and commitment to spread their expertise to others—all the while keeping at least one foot firmly in the classroom.” 

Educators love to use big words and lots of abstract concepts in writing, so I’ll simplify what I can. Comprehensive reading and writing skills will always be important, as that is the basis for how we share our ideas. What does change is how these skills are taught, and due to an increasingly electronic/digital environment, the tools are continually evolving. Those of you who are currently entering the educational field come from the first generation that has grown up with computer-based toys since birth, and it is easy for you to relate to a mobile device as an educational tool. You see its possibilities and potential, how it can help a student instantly reach outside the classroom walls.

All of us are familiar with the ubiquitous lesson plans that lay out in detail the curriculum for each school day. While this can be extremely helpful, it can be a ball and chain, or it can be a springboard for creative discussion. We are living in an era in which we don’t know what the questions are going to be in the next ten years, let alone what their solutions are; it’s important that we encourage our students to see possibilities.

The schools that will succeed in preparing future thinkers and innovators will be those that are open to using the talent that already exists on their own campuses—their teachers. Teacher leaders will be an important part of integrating the foundational skills with the need to think beyond what’s in front of them. We understand the need to have solid reading and writing skills, but it’s their future application that is changing. Forward-thinking administrators know that if they are going to keep highly motivated and creative teachers in the classroom, they need to give them a voice.

A lot of publicity has been given to the changing face of how some corporations are being run, particularly think-tanks such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple. The standard cubicle is not going to inspire the ideas for products that don’t yet exist, but will inevitably shape the future; eventually, we will see more of this approach in the classroom. 

This is an exciting time to be in education, and I, for one, look forward to the great things that will be happening. These changes are not about throwing away the past, but rather using the past as part of the future; a strong educational foundation will always be necessary. 

There are many highly innovative and creative after-school programs that are being offered, and the people who are running them are your future teacherpreneurs. Is your school adopting any of these teacher-leader concepts? If yes, be a part of it; if not, make it happen!

Hello, Teachers! Can you believe that it’s already well into May, and the academic year is already over for some of you and almost over for the rest of you! Now is the time to think about what tools worked well for you and which ones should be discarded, particularly with regards to your class website. It doesn’t seem to matter how much tweaking you do, as there is always something that can be improved or replaced for better functionality. Throughout the teaching term, you discover things that you don’t like, but once the semester is up and running, you have to stay with what’s there to avoid unnecessary confusion for your students. 

Ask yourself some questions, such as these:

•  What did like? Why?
•  What didn't I like? Why?
• Was I able to perform the functions that I wanted, such as posting pictures/videos?
• What do I want to do on my website?
• Are there ways to encourage parents/students to look at the website?

In most cases, you already have a mental list of many of these things, so now is the time to write them down. By seeing them on paper, it is much easier to sort them according to the types of solutions that are necessary. 

• Are there technical problems that prevent you from performing tasks?
• Are you suffering from inadequate training on how to use your website?

It doesn’t take long to analyze your website, and it is worth the effort to pinpoint those things that you like or don’t like. By doing this at the end of the semester, you are in a better position to find the solutions you need so that you can be ready for the next semester. 

This is my first academic season writing this blog, and now I am asking you for any suggestions of topics you would like to see me address. My goal is to make this a meaningful place where you can find help and answers to your situations, as well as learn about tools to make your job easier and more efficient. Teaching is a difficult job on its own, and if I can contribute in some way to making things easier, then I have achieved my goal.

I look forward to hearing from you!

It’s March already, and many of you are either on Spring Break or about to be. Unless you’re located in one of the few areas that hasn’t experienced much of a winter, you’re still buried under several feet of snow and undoubtedly feeling that the groundhog froze solid! Just seeing the temperature get above freezing is a big thing, but soon, the wildflowers and daffodils will be popping up to remind us of warmer days ahead.

Everyone is familiar with You Tube, but there may be some of you who aren’t familiar with Teacher Tube. I remember it being a place where I could find videos on a variety of topics that were designed to help me in the classroom, both physically and virtually. Now, it has mushroomed into something that I have had to take time to study, all the while trying to keep my jaw in place!   

Teacher Tube has become a complete virtual community that reaches out not just to teachers, but parents and students as well. This site launched in 2007 as a You Tube for teachers. In 2009, Audios, Docs, Photos, and Collections were added as additional resources to Videos. In 2014, Teacher Tube was able to integrate all these tools for use in online classrooms created within the site, greatly ensuring security and safety for its users. Each online classroom is a private place in which the teacher is able to create lessons utilizing all the tools and teaching aids that have been made available on the site, and it even uses a Learning Management System that allows the teacher to create tests that can be instantly graded. 

This sounds like an innovative approach to combining such LMS tools as BlackBoard, Angel and WebCT with You Tube to allow you to create your unique learning environment. The classroom is also accessible on any mobile device, thereby increasing a higher percentage of participation from wherever the student might be. This is available for any level of grade or specialty—there are no restrictions when it comes to learning.

What does something like this cost? 

1. Free: Offers a limited package of space, but no email support; must contend with ads. 
2. Teacher Tube Pro--$29/yr. Offers full functionality of all tools, LMS, email support, design, customization, and more.
3. Teacher Tube Campus Pro—Must contact for pricing. Designed to be used by schools, districts, and universities; networking capabilities. Offers complete use of all available tools as well as unlimited data. 

You do not need to set up a classroom to be able to use the other video and audio tools, so take advantage of everything you can—it’s free! Teacher Tube’s mission is to make a teacher’s life easier by offering tools that increase as well as enhance creativity and efficiency, again for free. Teacher Tube welcomes you to look around as much as you like and find out for yourself what a great resource this is. Enjoy!

Those lazy days of summer are finally here and while spending some extra time with friends and family is a must, this is also an ideal time to gear up for next year. I know we all put in many hours during the school year, but putting in a few summer hours will pay off exponentially in the coming school year.

Organization is a big piece of the equation. Consider putting together your back-to-school packets as early as possible. Include your supply lists, information about your behavior management system, as well as all of your school’s required forms. Have five or six extra packets ready so you don’t have to hunt down forms later. This will save time throughout the school year as new students join your classroom.

Have your class list already? Start setting up your library check-out system, making your students’ name tags, and putting together homework folders now. If new students join your class later, you’ll only have to make a few more of these supplies as you begin the school year.

Professional Learning Communities are vitally important as you plan your instruction to meet Common Core standards. If you don’t already know your grade level teammates, find a time this summer to grab lunch to discuss your goals for the school year, your teaching style, and how you can work together for the benefit of your students.

We know that great teaching ideas pop up throughout the school year when you least expect it. I keep an “ideas” folder handy and add to it throughout the school year. I take a few hours each summer to review the folder and decide which new ideas I will implement in the coming school year. If you have a similar system, review your ideas and research what you need to put the new ideas into your regular teaching repertoire.

Summers are for rejuvenation, and as teachers we definitely need that time to recharge. But with a little extra planning during the summer, you will have a little less to stress about during the nonstop meetings during back-to-school season. What are some things you do to make sure you’re ready for the school year? Please share!

The new school year is upon us—for some sooner than others. I received my annual “Welcome Back” letter from my district superintendent, reminding me that my summer is coming quickly to a close. Alas, no more lazing around in my slippers all day, taking the kids to the pool, or impromptu lunch dates with friends. While I long for more lazy summer days, I am anxious to get back into my regular routine.

I always feel like I’ve lost touch with reality a bit during the summer. I spend a lot of time reading for pleasure and not a lot of time keeping up with my profession. A great luxury of teaching, especially as I watch my husband (begrudgingly) get ready for work each day.

So if you’re like me you likely don’t feel quite ready to meet your class of smiling faces in a few short weeks. But that doesn’t mean that this summer—you know, the one when you’ll finally get organized or learn that new classroom management trick—is lost. Take these last few weeks to jump back in before it’s too late!

• Touch base. Nothing makes me feel more out-of-the loop than missing all those e-mails during the summer. If you have access, check your district inbox. Delete all the spam and respond to any critical messages.
• Visit. School and district administrators typically work all summer. If you are in town, stop by and say hi. If possible, spend a little time in your classroom rearranging desks and unpacking boxes. You’ll have a leg up on the other teachers sharing your hallway.
• Do some reading. A lot has happened in education over the summer—starting and ending with budgets. Read up on what’s going on in your state so when parents bring up the topic you’ll be knowledgeable.
• Start planning. You may not have the resources available on-hand, but you can still begin planning your year. Education World offers some great advice for first- and second-year teachers or check out some great reads, including Teaching Outside the Box by LouAnne Johnson and The First Six Weeks of School by Roxann Kriete and Lynn Bechtel.
• Meet. Those few days back before your students arrive are hectic and packed with school- and district-level meetings. Try to get in touch with your grade level team ahead of time to talk about lesson planning, classroom management, and other issues.

Of course, most of us still have a few weeks left. Enjoy them. Once they’re over you have about 10 months before your next long, lazy summer.

In today’s uncertain economic times, many of us face a new or withdrawing student on a regular basis. Homes are being foreclosed upon, renters are moving in and out, and it seems like everyone is struggling financially.

I can remember moving across the country as a third-grader and starting at a new school mid-year. What a scary time for me, especially as a very quiet, shy 8-year-old (nothing like my boisterous personality now).

But some of the things my new teacher, Mr. Morgan, did as well as some of my own ides will help your new student feel more at ease:

• Be prepared. Have at least one set of new materials ready and on-hand, including textbooks, workbooks, a sharpened pencil, and desk if possible. Also have a complete set of beginning-of-the-year paperwork put together, ready to send home with your new student on his first day. I keep my materials ready in a two-pocket folder that transitions into a homework folder for my students.
• Have a helper. Select a student or two to serve as a guide during a new student’s first days. Be sure to train your helper ahead of time so she knows what to do.
• Make introductions. Instructional time is priceless, but you will do a disservice to your new student if you don’t take five to ten minutes to introduce him to the class. Allow each child to introduce herself to the new student as well and tell something about herself.
• Notify other staff. Have a system in place to notify other staff members, such as special area teachers and the counselor, about your new student. Whether it’s a note in their mailbox or an e-mail, don’t surprise other teachers with your new arrival.

While we don’t particularly care to acquire new students mid-year, it’s a fact of life. Be ready to face this challenge head-on and make sure you make your new students feel welcome. What are some strategies you use in your classroom to make this challenge easier to face? Please share!