Putting Kids First.... With Data?? No, Really!

When we think of "putting kids first" a million things run through our minds-

Classrooms where EVERY child is given an opportunity to grow and learn academically, socially, and emotionally.
Teachers who work tirelessly to create lessons and activities that promote learning AND excitement about the learning process.
Schools that celebrate the differences in our students while developing a community where everyone feels they are welcome and loved.
Organizations that encourage teachers to share their successes and challenges with the hope that we all can learn from one another.
Leadership that recognizes the talented educators in their schools as professionals who know a thing or two about what is best for kids.
Communities that support their schools, knowing full well, that those who teach are touching the lives of everyone around them and creating the leaders of tomorrow.

Putting kids first means surrounding them with passionate, intelligent adults who only want what is best for the kiddos in front of them. Yet, somehow, somewhere along the line we have come to rely on numbers as our measurement of success rather than the accomplishments of our students.

Don't get me wrong- I love data- data is our friend!
Data tells us if our kiddos are getting it or if we need to rethink our instruction.  Data tells us whether or not a behavior plan is helping a child grow socially and emotionally.  Data provides us with information about our growth- as professionals- and allows us to adjust our plans accordingly. Data measures the moral of your community.  Data allows us to take a deeper look into our everyday practices. Collecting, analyzing, and measuring data CAN be used to put kids first.

The question is:  Are we using the right data to indicate success?  The answer lies within those who are directly working with our students.  If teachers are taking class time to collect data- shouldn't it be:
Data that guides instruction?
Data that provides a direct correlation to our student's social, emotional, and academic growth?
Data that allows us to change our course of action before it's too late?
Data that promotes our successes and gives us insight to our opportunities for growth?


If data is going to be collected-it must have the purpose of putting kids first or it it's just another thing on an educator's already packed to-do list.

A Little Teacher Love for Scoring Guides Made Easy!

I don't know about you but creating GOOD scoring guides was always excruciating for me when I was in the classroom.  How could I determine the subtle differences between work deemed masterful or proficient? How could I could I convey those differences in the feedback to my students?  At times the task was so daunting- I skipped it all together! (I know! I know!)

Creating GREAT scoring guides is now made easy using ThemeSpark.net. (@themespark_tool) This site has all the tools you need to differentiate your scoring guides using the Common Core State Standards.  Not only can you create your scoring guides- you can search their database for lesson plan ideas and resources to support your instruction.

You may be saying YES! This is just what I need- BUT, wait- There's MORE!

If you are a GAFE district (and if you are- LUCKY YOU!) there is an Add-On  in Google Docs that allows you to create scoring guides and give feedback right in the doc!  JoeZoo Express is a teacher's best friend. (getjoezoo.com) (@joezooapp)  Using this amazing Add-On will save you crazy amounts of time.  No more toggling back and forth between student work and scoring guides- No more copying scoring guides to give student's the descriptive feedback they deserve. Like I said, AMAZING!

Creating your scoring guide in ThemeSpark and pasting it into JoeZoo will free up several hours of your weekend!  You can use a few of those minutes to share your  creations with me!

Happy Planning!!!

A Case of the "What Ifs"

I am incredibly lucky to be sharing a new journey with 33 educators from all around the world.  In two weeks we will be heading to Mountain View to attend Google's Innovation Academy. You will find many similarities in our cohort- a love for kids, a passion for education, a fierce protection of teachers, and an almost embarrassing nerdiness when it comes to technology in our schools. (Which I must tell you is a point of pride among us all.)

Our mission this week was to read over the Vision Decks our #mtv16 cohort submitted as part of our application process.  I was blown away by the creativity and innovation our group exhibited in these presentations. ( I was also a little intimidated by the wealth of knowledge-that's another post altogether.)  One Vision Deck, in particular has me pondering the "what ifs".  Stacy Yung, an innovator from California brings to light the technology gap between students and teachers.  She aspires to "challenge educators to be willing to integrate technology in the classroom " and "inspire educators to take risks and try new lessons with technology" among her other fabulous ideas.

What if Stacy accomplishes her goal- What if educators decide to become risk-takers when it comes to technology? What if student engagement increases because of the brave teachers who decide that "doing things the way we always have" isn't working for them anymore?  Wouldn't that be a win-win situation for both students and teachers?

As I was reading through Stacy's Vision Deck- I started thinking about the divisions occurring in my own neck of the woods.  The teacher-teacher gap.  You know, the pressure from the veteran teachers- "that's not the way children learn" or "how can you spend all that money for devices-when kids will be playing games all day?" These teachers mean well, I am sure they do!  But- how can we sit back and listen to antiquated ideas when we know the truth?  What if we pointed out that in order for our students to be college and career ready- they need to be able to access and utilize technology beyond the smartphone or gaming system?  What if we explained to them that all students, some of whom are already facing an achievement gap- are now- in even greater danger of falling behind due to the inequity of access to powerful technology? What if we provided examples of technology increasing student engagement and achievement with the added benefit of decreasing office referrals?
Would any of this matter to someone who is dead set against the use of technology in the classroom?
It might and then again it might not...

What if we didn't listen to the naysayers and we did what is best for all children? Imagine what we could accomplish!  When I return to my district on Tuesday- I am going to focus on the courageous teachers in my district who are stepping out of their comfort zones and embracing the technology available to them.  Together, those fantastic educators and I are going to do what we know is best for our children- we will leave a bridge for others to cross when they are ready BUT we are no longer going to stand by and watch the divide expand!

Thank you Stacy Yung!  I love your heart for students and teachers, You made a difference today!!!