The 2015-2016 school year is entering its sixth week with 34 more weeks to go till summer. The year is off to a dynamic start in all areas: behavior, academics, collaboration with fellow faculty, and my attitude and confidence. There can be many explanations for the dynamic start beginning with a first year principle who wants to make a difference and impact for both students and faculty. She has listened to feedback from both students and faculty and has implemented key structural changes that have made a significant influence on the success of students. During Back to School night a few weeks back, many parents commented on how different the school is from last year and how their children were happier to be on campus and learning. This change in students is making teaching more effective in the classroom with less interruptions and students being more engaged. The next difference is academics in my classroom.
After six weeks into a semester grades have stayed strong with only one student out of 155 failing. That student has 53% in the class. Years prior, I would have at a minimum 5 students failing the class. I have made adjustments to my grading system for this year for one reason. During a TED talk we had to listen to for my masters program, the speaker of whom I cannot recall the name said the following: "Our job is set up our students for success". This one phrase has made a profound impact on the way I view myself as a teacher and what I do as a teacher. Anytime I create a lesson or make changes in my teaching, I am always asking myself: "Does this set up the student for success or failure." An example is homework. Only 60% of students complete and turn in homework on a good day. If the number is only 60%, I am not setting the students up for success, I am setting 40% or more for failure. Therefore, I have changed the policy to finishing any work that is not completed during class as homework. I purposely have classwork that students cannot finish during the class period and will have to finish it at home. This change has increased the percentage of students completing and turning the work in above 86%. Not yet 100%, but only 14% of students are not completing as opposed to 40%. Since I have begun to create a system in my class that tries to set students up for success, the students have responded in kind. As of today, the lowest class average out of five periods is 95% ( Life Science) with the highest being 103%. Everyone in that class currently has an A+ . The last change that has made a difference is my attitude and confidence.
I am a different teacher than I was last year. There are a few reasons for this. Primarily is the Innovation Masters Program that I am enrolled in. The program has influenced the way I work in the classroom. Many aspects of the program utilize various forms of technology. Part of what I teach is technology and I have been able to implement many ideas from the program directly in my teaching. One example is screencasting. Last year, I tried it for a project with success and have already implemented a project that students have to create a multimedia project using voice thread as their presentation format. I have 100% engagement in this project. A secondary reason is I have the green light to write the curriculum for the Vallejo School Districts 7-8 STEAM program. This is the third year I have had the opportunity to write curriculum for the STEAM program. The governing board of the district is starting a STEAM implementation team consisting of 8 members including district administration, parents, staff, and I am being considered for the team. If I get the approval to be a member of the team, it will mean a great deal to me.
One more reason which I will discuss in detail in another blog entry is the creation of a new club at Solano Middle School called Club 3D - Destination for Innovation. I have been waiting since March to begin the club. The club has been live for two weeks and we are averaging 35 students per meeting, given we meet everyday at lunch except Wednesday. The format of the club is unique and very few schools have a club or class similar to it. This year has been a special year for me for all the reasons listed above. I know it will be difficult to sustain the grades and engagement for the year, but I have made that my main challenge and goal.
After six weeks into a semester grades have stayed strong with only one student out of 155 failing. That student has 53% in the class. Years prior, I would have at a minimum 5 students failing the class. I have made adjustments to my grading system for this year for one reason. During a TED talk we had to listen to for my masters program, the speaker of whom I cannot recall the name said the following: "Our job is set up our students for success". This one phrase has made a profound impact on the way I view myself as a teacher and what I do as a teacher. Anytime I create a lesson or make changes in my teaching, I am always asking myself: "Does this set up the student for success or failure." An example is homework. Only 60% of students complete and turn in homework on a good day. If the number is only 60%, I am not setting the students up for success, I am setting 40% or more for failure. Therefore, I have changed the policy to finishing any work that is not completed during class as homework. I purposely have classwork that students cannot finish during the class period and will have to finish it at home. This change has increased the percentage of students completing and turning the work in above 86%. Not yet 100%, but only 14% of students are not completing as opposed to 40%. Since I have begun to create a system in my class that tries to set students up for success, the students have responded in kind. As of today, the lowest class average out of five periods is 95% ( Life Science) with the highest being 103%. Everyone in that class currently has an A+ . The last change that has made a difference is my attitude and confidence.
I am a different teacher than I was last year. There are a few reasons for this. Primarily is the Innovation Masters Program that I am enrolled in. The program has influenced the way I work in the classroom. Many aspects of the program utilize various forms of technology. Part of what I teach is technology and I have been able to implement many ideas from the program directly in my teaching. One example is screencasting. Last year, I tried it for a project with success and have already implemented a project that students have to create a multimedia project using voice thread as their presentation format. I have 100% engagement in this project. A secondary reason is I have the green light to write the curriculum for the Vallejo School Districts 7-8 STEAM program. This is the third year I have had the opportunity to write curriculum for the STEAM program. The governing board of the district is starting a STEAM implementation team consisting of 8 members including district administration, parents, staff, and I am being considered for the team. If I get the approval to be a member of the team, it will mean a great deal to me.
One more reason which I will discuss in detail in another blog entry is the creation of a new club at Solano Middle School called Club 3D - Destination for Innovation. I have been waiting since March to begin the club. The club has been live for two weeks and we are averaging 35 students per meeting, given we meet everyday at lunch except Wednesday. The format of the club is unique and very few schools have a club or class similar to it. This year has been a special year for me for all the reasons listed above. I know it will be difficult to sustain the grades and engagement for the year, but I have made that my main challenge and goal.