When Kids are Away...
2/23/2018
What really happens during a teacher professional development day?
1. Teachers play when the kids are away. Every faculty meeting starts off with a game or a greet, as the staff continues to strengthen their collegiality with their peers much in the same way that students do during each morning meeting. The game that started off our teacher meetings yesterday is known as Ups and Downs and involves plastic cups...lots and lots of plastic cups. The premise is simple, you are either an up cup or a down cup and your job is to turn as many of the cups scattered around the room either up or down in one minute. By the end of our game, everyone had a smile on their face and a burst of energy for the meetings ahead. I really wish I had taken a photo of this in action! 2. Teachers meet together when kids are away. Yesterday the lightheartedness turned into serious and productive dialogue as the first topic of discussion focused on emergency procedures. We did what we do best; think critically and creatively to come up with solutions to identified challenges. Teachers met again and again throughout the day, this time in smaller groups to discuss things that are pertinent and relevant to them. Some of the topics discussed and worked on were Adventure Day, the Science Fair, Spring Trips, Early Childhood Training, Technology, Progress Reports, Spring Musicals and upcoming curriculum units. 3. Teachers eat together when kids are away. Teachers get a rare treat on these days...getting to sit down and eat an uninterrupted lunch with other adults. Yesterday's yummy lunch was provided by the Parent Association as one of the teacher appreciation events of the year and was much appreciated! Sometimes we "talk shop" but mostly we take the opportunity to talk about our lives outside of our titles as teacher...strengthening our relationships with each other. These professional development days help us to be a more productive, focused and cohesive group of individuals united in an overarching common goal - to be the best we can be for your students. Come Together
2/17/2018
It is impossible to ignore the challenges that society and we as educators are facing on a daily basis. When I heard of the devastating news like that recently from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, it prompted me to reflect on the importance of a strong community. The Huff Post posted an article back in 2017 entitled "The 5 Benefits of Community". The author Jonathan Chan identifies 5 benefits when individual entrepreneurs come together as a community. These ideas apply to more than just entrepreneurs. Three of these really stood out to me as an educator and parent in the PNA community. Knowledge: A chance to learn from one another. When we take the time to learn from one another, to take in the wisdom and knowledge already attained, we become stronger as individuals and as a community. Age isn't a factor, we can all learn from one another. Inspiration: The opportunity to challenge yourself, to create and grow simply by being immersed in a diverse environment surrounded by the opinions, ideas and knowledge of those around you. Support: Being held up by people who know the journey we are traveling. While we might take different paths along the way, we are still trying to reach the same destination. We are each striving to become the best version of ourselves that we can be. In a strong community, we help others to do the same. PNA's community is something special. It's hard to explain but easy to feel. Whether facing a personal, academic or physical challenge, someone is there. With a warm hug, a friendly smile, an engaged brainstorming session, or a myriad of other interactions, someone is there. That's one reason why I love PNA. How about you?
Dear Class,
2/10/2018
PNA employs the Responsive Classroom approach for social and emotional learning in our classrooms. A foundation of this approach is the daily morning meeting. "Morning Meeting is an engaging way to start each day, build a strong sense of community, and set children up for success socially and academically. " |
Marcella HitchcockMs. Hitchcock teaches second grade, is a mom of two, an avid reader, lifelong learner, and a seeker of sunshine! Archives
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