Domain 1: Planning and Preparation – Page 4

When one hears that Dave Burgess, New York Times Best Selling author of Teach Like a Pirate, is coming to your hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (#KDPconvo17), the only possible option is: BE THERE! There is absolutely no option 2… simply stated. #tlap

I immediately felt the fire burning inside me… the burning that told me my life as an educator would never be the same. The one that told me if I was actually going to go and see this amazing keynote, that I was now signing on to the Dave Burgess commitment to “create an experience” for every child, every day! “A contract”, in my eyes, to be 100% committed to this “life changing business” as Dave so eloquently calls it.

Well, I’m there! I’m committed! Bring it on Pirate!

To be so bold and make a statement about the power of Dave Burgess seems almost impossible… close to unnatural or maybe better said as not worthy of me to do. To possibly sum up the impact that he had on me, let alone the hundreds of educators in one room, once again feels close to impossible.

But let me give it all I have and lay it out there in a way that you may just be able to wrap your head around his amazing influence on my life.

“The most powerful force on earth is the human soul on fire” -unknown

If you did not see into Dave Burgess’s soul when he “spoke” (a mile a minute might I add) well, you simply did not have a heartbeat. If you did not laugh, feel a slight tinge of embarrassment, want to jump up and say “AMEN”, or for some like myself… cry, you were not present emotionally.

My face literally hurt from smiling 90 minutes straight. My heart beat 1,000 beats/minute… I forgot there was anyone else in the room. I was convinced he was speaking only to me! Like a preacher, preaching to his congregation, I was a believer! His passion behind every word was his power!

WOW, isn’t that how our students should feel? Do I do that for my students? #impact

Dave tossed up shocking posters for us to view. Did it have an impact, YES!

He put humor around every bend… did it work? Yes, it did!

Dave NEVER stopped moving… did it keep my eyes on him? Yes!

Did he bring energy to the room? YES!

Were his words of wisdom practical so that every single educator could walk away feeling empowered to make a difference? YES!

He continued to tease us with hooks left and right. Did it work, YES!

Did Dave “PIMP HIS LESSON”? YES!

“We are in a life changing business” –Dave Burgess

“You need to make life-changing lessons” –Dave Burgess

Dave Burgess gifted me an experience. He took 90 minutes and created feelings inside of me that left me with wanting more… yes, after a full day of work, and sitting through 2 hours of professional development, all I wanted was more…

More time with my students!

More opportunities to create experiences!

More moments to change lives!

More opportunities to “preheat my grill!”

More everything! Twenty-one years into education and all I want is MORE TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE! I want to be the teacher that “could sell tickets to my lesson!”

Dave Burgess made a difference in me… in many. He paid forward a gift to every child through creating an experience for every educator in the room! #grateful

“At some point in your career you have to decide if you care more about teaching to tests or teaching kids. My decision was made a long time ago. I teach kids.”
― Dave Burgess, Teach Like a PIRATE: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator

#WeTeachKids

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation, Domain 2: Classroom Environment, Domain 3: Instruction

Um, Are We Dancing to the Same Music?

October 22, 2017December 31, 2017 nankr1120

Did you ever start dancing and before you knew it you were stepping on toes? Or yours were being stepped on. Just watch a room full of kids dance… are they really dancing to the same song? One is rapping, one is flailing about, another looks like they are doing a new twist to the tango, while someone else is flying solo… sitting in a corner just moving his head up and down. But wait… isn’t this what it’s all about? So why is everyone shooting the look of… um, are we dancing to the same music?

EMBRACING DIFFERENCES-EMPOWERING THE SOUL

Growing up, I was different in many ways. I was a ball of energy in a room full of compliance. I saw magenta when everyone else was talking about red. My questions and ideas were racking up in my head faster then I could keep track of them. I was the kid that failed the history class when the only thing I had to do was stay awake to maintain the A that was gifted to me. The kid who put a new spin on a project that didn’t match the teacher’s vision.

Not to mention my RED hair… which was not my favorite attribute at all. I was a kid that just wanted to fit in. How do you do that when you are so different? My differences outweighed my similarities. Why was this so scary for me… for everyone? I was the 80’s kid with a different last name when divorce was still taboo. I was the kid that picked out school clothes in July so that my parents could lay them away at Hill’s Department Store and hope (work hard enough) to pay them off by Labor Day. Most often they no longer fit and the outfit I looked forward to was no longer available. My family tried. My family was different.

My family danced to the same music as everyone else so why did it feel like my toes were always stepped on?

Does anyone hear me? Do I have a voice?

Maybe I was the rebel searching for the next cause.

If you won’t listen, maybe I need to show you. That I did!

You said zig, I tried out the zag.

You said I could only do one, I tried 10.

You said I can’t and I proved I can!

You showed me a statistic and I created new data!

I love interpreting music. Understanding my students. My favorite opportunity to do that is with Project Based Learning. Playing songs and allowing my students to let it reach down in their soul… to write what they feel it means to them. Not their friend. Not their family. I want to know them! Do they see magenta?

With passion projects I feel their voice is heard. I feel I create an atmosphere of respect and trust. We each have a different story so why is it that 8 hours a day we must “act” like we come from the same mold? Our students must trust us in order to gift that to others. Is our teaching meant for the moment or for a lifetime? I choose lifetime.

My journey is real. Never easy. Created by other hands, along with my own. I am a dreamer. A believer in all good. I am a fighter. Um, and yes, I am dancing to the same music… just my own beat!

Are you a fighter? How do you interpret the lyrics to this incredible song?

Rachel Platten-Fight Song

The Ingenious Lab interpretation #voiceandchoice

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation, Domain 2: Classroom Environment, Domain 3: Instruction, Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities

#IMMOOC Week 5: Exploring 20/20 Vision

October 21, 2017December 31, 2017 nankr1120

Do we share the same vision? The vision of CHANGE!

Were you ever asked where you see yourself in 5 years? 10 … even 20 years? I remember when I was in college and I was being interviewed by a pledge sister within my sorority. This was a common question. I remember laughing at the “oh so young age of 20” thinking how on earth would I answer this question. I wasn’t quite sure of the answer, but the one thing I was certain of was that I would change! #changeforthebetter

I’ve spent more years in education than I was alive when I was asked that thought provoking question, yet no one has ever asked me where I see learning in 5 years. 10 years. Why is that? Do we not project change? Is education destined to be the one constant in everyone’s life? Do you have a vision? I do! Do we share the same vision and are you open to creating it together? Do we have 20/20 vision in education?

20/20 Vision: the clarity of vision; dependent on optical and neural factors, i.e., (i) the sharpness of the retinal focus within the eye, (ii) the health and functioning of the retina, and (iii) the sensitivity of the interpretative faculty of the brain.

–Wikipedia

What connection does the Wikipedia definition have to how we “see” within the educational system? My vision may be blurred, but this is my view:

20/20 Vision in Education: the clarity of a shared vision; dependent on an open mindset and forward thinking, i.e…. (i) big thinking precedes great achievement- Wilferd Peterson, (ii) learners instead of students – Innovator’s Mindset, (iii) understanding that there are “8 things to look for in TODAY’s classroom” -Innovator’s Mindset (and the understanding that those 8 things may/should change over time), (iv) relationships

Let’s share this vision! The only way we can possibly dive into this together is by asking our students, parents, community, AND one another. I am confident that I have integrated all “8 of these things” into my classroom over the last two years, but the one I am most often viewing under a magnifying glass is “opportunity for innovation“. This is my personal goal for growth, not only for my students, but myself! This is one area where my students must understand and appreciate their own passion and purpose so that they can open doors to their own learning.

What are your goals to fuel your passion? Mine are set… I hit the button to attend not one, but TWO incredible conferences this year! Why? GO BIG OR GO HOME! Top 2 Keynote Speakers in education…

Dave Burgess is the New York Times Best Selling author of Teach Like a Pirate and co-author of P is for Pirate. Keynote in PITTSBURGH, PA next Thursday, October 27-28
George Couros is a leading educator in the area of innovative leadership, teaching, and learning; author of Innovator’s Mindset. Keynote in Hershey, PA December 3-6

I can bring on the enthusiasm, options, idea generator moments, 30 Second Pitch, as well as open doors for them to embrace new ways of thinking, but if they do not make a connection to what they are most passionate about we will find ourselves with only a singular vision, and limited execution. Let’s not hallucinate! #fuelyourpassion

Vision without execution is hallucination – Thomas Edison

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation, Domain 2: Classroom Environment, Domain 3: Instruction

30 Second Pitch: Engage-vs-Empowerment #IMMOOC

October 16, 2017January 26, 2018 nankr1120

If we are truly trying to transition learners to leaders, don’t we also need to transition from today’s buzz word engagement to the future of empowerment?

A powerful and impactful challenge flag was thrown last year by my new administration… 100% engagement for all students, all day… and yes, every day! That was a challenge that I couldn’t wait to get ahold of within my classroom. It was absolutely incredible to see my students embody my love for learning. Was this for the day? The week? The month? That is when it happened. The moment I realized that engaging my students was only going to be sustainable if I empowered them! WOW! That was a moment!

“A moment“… that was what I needed to give my students. I started with asking them to pitch me an idea in 5 minutes or less. I gave a little criteria, but I didn’t want to close their minds to revolve around my thinking, so a laundry list of stipulations went right out the window. I simplified and initially gave 5 minutes. FIVE MINUTES is a LONG TIME! Either they know what they want or they don’t. Period.

Dave Burgess, author of Teach Like A Pirate, says, “I’m more than willing to take advantage of and influence everything around me to increase my students’ chances of success.” Yes, that is my thought exactly! How can I teach like a pirate? Here it is- challenge the holder of the hook… They need to hook ME! My students need to be the ones creating the hooks too!

EMPOWERMENT:
-authority or power given to someone to do something; the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights

This definition is embedded in my brain so I reread Innovator’s Mindset, again and again! I needed an example… something concrete. I absolutely love how George Couros shared his moment with engage vs empower.

“So instead of trying to create engaging content for my students, I decided to turn it over to them. Deep Learning occurred- they understood and remembered what they taught each other. I had given my students control over their learning, and the change in atmosphere was palpable.” –George Couros, Innovator’s Mindset

Then the moment came when a student came to me and asked for the use of Ozobots outside of tech stations. YES, I was that teacher… the one excited and willing to bring as much technology in as possible, (Thank you donorschoose.org and my supportive community) but ONLY used it in isolated learning moments… UGH! Weekly, even daily isolated moments, but I literally separated it from the content! What was I thinking?

So, on this particular day it just so happened that I barely had the 5 minutes to spare… no time to hear why or how they could possibly make this applicable to character, setting, and the plot of our story so I challenged them to tell me in 30 seconds or less.

#30SECONDPITCH

Mrs. Nan, I can CREATE a setting based on the chapter we are in today. I can CONNECT it to technology by using Ozobots. I may need to go on to the computer to look at a coding idea that I have, but that isn’t a big deal because “Rachelle AKA RESOURCE” is an expert and can show me. Oh, and then I can turn the Ozobot into a character and have it navigate the setting. AND I would really like to blog (MOMENT) about it after! #micdrop

WOW… the excitement in my student literally infused the pitch into my mind in LESS THAN 20 SCEONDS! It reminded me of Jacie Maslyk asking me what my “1 minute elevator pitch” would be like. My response, “What is an elevator pitch?”

“It’s that 1 minute when (insert name of famous person) walks into the elevator with you and you have your chance to tell them your brilliant idea before the elevator doors open again. It’s your brief moment to grab their attention, pull them in, and convince them that yours is the next great idea.” –Jacie Maslyk, STEAMMakers

This was it… the moment the 30 Second Pitch came to life!

30 Second Pitch:

Mindset: this is your creative moment… approach it with excitement and use your creative juices!
Connect4: Explain how you can connect your idea to technology BEYOND our 4 walls of learning!
Research: Call on your resources! Collaborate ~ Communicate ~ Dig into your idea! #WhoIsYourCrew
Moment: This is YOUR TIME TO SHINE! How will you do it? #VoiceAndChoice

I have shared this with a few of my colleagues, as well as many parents, who have been curious as to how on earth I can justify the use of this technology (Hour of Code, Sphero, Ozobot, Osmo, Edmodo, Canva, Snap-Circuits, Bloxels, Makey Makey, EdPuzzle, Scratch, and more) in my room. How can I possibly teach the “curriculum/book” and also have time for this? Well, to be clear, I actually teach skills. The PA Common Core skills that are a foundation to the success of every child in 3rd grade. How I teach that skill is choice… and not just mine. When I really want to know how to make something happen (the thing that will light the world on fire) for my students, I simply ask! They always tell. #empowerment

Note: Thank you JESSE REESE for the incredible “piece of art” you created out of my very sloppy notes! YOU ROCK! #grateful

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation, Domain 2: Classroom Environment

#IMMOOC Week 2: “Save a life”: OBSERVE, STAT!

October 6, 2017February 3, 2019 nankr1120

The journey I am on with Innovator’s Mindset continuously resets my inspirational compass. This is now the third time I have read this amazing book by George Couros, yet it impacts me like it’s my first. Maybe it’s the way I am observing others this time through; reading posts and listening attentively… or simply because my eyes are literally understanding some of his words for the first time. #observe #reset

I can’t help but think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves as educators. We often think we need the answers to everything STAT, as if we are in the ER, not the classroom. Do we take time to observe? Even the ER doctor must observe, right? What if a doctor jumped right in without observing? Would we end up in surgery for a sprain that only needed wrapped? Would we find ourselves taking an antibiotic for a common cold?

Think about the first time you meet a child’s parents a mere two weeks into school at the annual Open House. What is the first thing they are compelled to ask… How is my child doing? That is a loaded question that comes with an incredible amount of responsibility. If you answer with “great”, that may mislead the parent into thinking that everything is just fine when there may be concerns. If you answer with, “okay” that opens the door to questions and a very awkward moment in front of others. Let’s not even go to “not as well as I would like” because that simply shouldn’t exist in the first couple weeks of school, right? Especially when you are the amazing teacher you hope to be which in turn should bring out the “amazingness” in every child, STAT! What is so bad about saying, let me tell you about #observeme and how that impacts both my students and myself. Why not open the door for an innovative approach that could benefit their child and remove the arrogance we embed into ourselves with the need to know everything? Observing leads to goals… isn’t that what we are searching for?

8-Characteristics-of-the-Innovators-Mindset

Observing can lead to amazing things, including the characteristics of an innovator’s mindset. Isn’t that why facilitating is becoming the new teaching? That is for another day… another blog! Observing will give us:

A New Perspective: How do they solve problems without me? Do they need me and how much? If I am always posing the problem will they ever truly be able to solve it? What about a scenario? Can they see the problem themselves without me? Tossing out an idea, a skill, a concept, or event will allow me to observe their strengths and weaknesses so that I can in turn plan my next move.
Individualized Goals: What do they need verses what do I want to give? Is learning really about a pacing chart or a map? I have students in class that were born at the same time others were crawling or even walking… all in one class! Do you know how many milestones a baby has in their first year of life? What on earth would I be doing right if I thought each of my learners were on the same “growth page”? Did one baby sit and wait for another to crawl before they were allowed or tempted to walk? Goals! Each student must have goals that are focused on their own individual growth.
Empathy: Who are they from the inside out? How do they show this to others and what does that tell me about them? Observing a child’s reaction to a situation can speak volumes. It is a map to their life experiences. Are they able to have empathy? Are they able to infer what is happening for others in that moment? Can they truly put themselves in the other person’s shoes? THE DAY MY LIFE CHANGED: It was the day that a child showed up for school sweating profusely. To lighten the moment, I asked him, “What on earth were they serving at breakfast this morning?” He wrapped his arms around me and said, “Oh Mrs. Nan, I missed breakfast. I missed my bus this morning and had to run to school so I wouldn’t miss being with you.” Tears rolled down my face. I knew what that meant. Would his peers? Do they actually need to know or would they be able to show compassion and empathy without the tough details. As I dried my eyes, I observed one child hand him a cereal bar that she had brought for her snack that day. WOW-heart in my feet… this my friends, is why I teach! This is what will make them the best they can be! This is what opens doors to their minds and to learning. This will always be the day that I knew I was helping “to create a school where students, staff, and parents are beating down the doors to get in… not out“. Thank you Beth Houf and Shelley Burgess for helping me to Lead Like a Pirate!
Habits of Learning: Who do they network with? How? What foundation do they come with? Do they have T.R.U.E. G.R.I.T. ? Do they attempt to work alone? Do they use the 4 C’s… Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Creativity?

I am observant. I notice… the smallest details. The big impact. The positive. The mindset of all! My journey continues and by observing I WILL LEARN… not for a moment, a day, or a week. I will learn for a lifetime! #ObserveMe

Category: Domain 1: Planning and Preparation

Your Passion is Your Power: The Impact of Dave Burgess #tlap

Um, Are We Dancing to the Same Music?

#IMMOOC Week 5: Exploring 20/20 Vision

30 Second Pitch: Engage-vs-Empowerment #IMMOOC

#IMMOOC Week 2: “Save a life”: OBSERVE, STAT!