The Shared Classroom

Joy, wonder, discovery... growth.
That's what I would feel when I walked into Mrs. Stewart's kinder class. Sometimes I didn't even know where the teacher was... she was sitting on the floor next to a student group.

Or there is the time when I walked into Mrs. Robert's class and heard a debate- in 2nd grade- on whether the kid should step on the ant or not...

Or there is the time when I walked into Dr. Classen's counseling office and watched a smile grow on the face of one of our most troubled young men as he was playing a game of mini-pool and discussing how to deescalate.

Everywhere I go- I can find it. A classroom that has conditions that create student joy and ownership.

One way to grow student performance is to develop your relationships. Can they feel like they are a part of the system? Do they have a meaningful voice? Are they important? Do they get more stage time- more opportunities to shine than the teacher?

Some ideas I have seen:

• A Class Mission developed with students- reviewed each morning by student leaders 
• A Class Dashboard with data marking the main things (Math, Reading) so everyone buys in
• A meeting where the goals and strategies are developed collaboratively
• Daily review of the class's ability to work towards the goals (led by students)
• Student-created lessons on a standard
• Student-led vocabulary activities (groups create the most sophisticated sentence with the word)
• Choice boards/ student data folders (Hope Folders)

You want to see the achievement gap disappear? Build a strong shared classroom where students are looking at the data- setting goals - helping design the pathways for work- and reflecting on their progress. YOU will see results. I have.

Why Every School Should Have a Veteran’s Day Celebration

As a principal I believed there were opportunities, natural dates in our calendars, in which we could work in altruistic lessons. Veteran’s Day was such an opportunity. Our children wrote speeches and poems, decorated cards and baked cookies. They had an opportunity to shine. We want children to grow all around. Well rounded in the artistic aspects of being human… in the athletic aspects… and in the altruistic aspects. 

  

Reply

Forward

Thanks for your interest in Basecamp!

S

Yesterday

Summit Basecamp (2)

Basecamp Logo Thank you for your interest in Basecamp! Dear Michael, Thanks for your interest in the Summit Basecamp Program! This is a note to let you know we received your name and email address. We

Leave No One Behind

I can't tell you how powerful the military philosophy is to me. "Leave no man behind."

When you promise things like that- it provides purpose. When a superintendent shakes your hand and says, "I promise not to let you fail." It brings expectations up in your heart.

When you tell students that they are the most important things in the universe- you better discipline, teach, and invest in them with love, love, love.

Whatever it takes.

Life purpose. 

You will grow under my care at all cost.

You will develop skills and competencies to succeed as you get older.

Heart and mind, character and academics. 

It is the actions that follow your promises that show integrity.

I'm surrounded by students who show my heart and actions were aligned and THEY demonstrate what loving leadership can do.

M

Memories

What a day.

I resigned today. 

Family first.

Deep emotions. 

Vera- I hope your looking down with pride... I strived to make your name great in Colorado Springs.

We created new programs like STEM.

We loved students with our character programs and Capturing Kids Hearts.

We impacted vets and first responders with the voices of our children. 

We inspired writers with a Young Author's Day.

We built a new plaza for teachers to use, cleared the gym from lunch duty, brought art into our building and created a technology rich school.

We built a team approach to learning and massaged in the next generation competencies.

We loved ALL our children like they were our own.

Hundreds of memories.

Thank you 

Be The Inspiration- through our STEM work

This morning I popped into the STEM class. I was inspired by a couple of 4th graders and their subject... They were learning about Nobel Prize winners. (It's a goal of mine to graduate a Nobel Prize winner.)

I learned about Gertude Elion... She created medicines that helped children survive Leukemia. She started a company so we looked it up.

What we discovered was amazing.

The company has a mission: "We are a science-led global health care company on a mission: we want to help people do more, feel better, live longer." Www.gsk.com/en-go/about-us/ 

Our district says we are preparing students for a world yet to be imagined... At Scott Elementary that happens every day. Students interact with global companies that are shaping the future. These students are inspired to be difference makers like the Nobel Prize Winners they are studying.

I love it. (Written on 9/8 but it didn't post)

MIRROR, MIRROR

As I visited classrooms yesterday I found a story was developing. It went like this: in Snow White there was a mirror that answered questions. This morning, like every other morning, someone at Disney asked, " Where is the happiest place of them all?" The mirror said,"Vera Scott Elementary!"

Why? Two main reasons. We have an amazing staff that builds caring relationships with students. They bring the awesomeness to our school. 2nd- our students. They are taught to show empathy and kindness. We believe in developing character traits here and this will build our community for several years to come!

Generosity

Aesop once said, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, will ever be wasted."

We are in the middle of a food drive and our community is generous. We give what we can- some of us have great needs ourselves- yet give something. For all gifts great and small we are thankful.

Generosity is something more than giving things or gifts. There are countless examples of parents and teachers who are generous with their time and energy. Wow! From crossing guards to reading buddies to library helpers. Volunteers are awesome! Teachers who organize events or sponsor clubs- who spend those moments communicating and extending themselves... We have a generous staff.

As a principal I'm challenged on a daily basis to live up to our teachers and parents. To be generous- to think about how I can extend myself for those I serve. I choose to be generous- to give all I can for this community.