Today was a mentally tough day for me. The state CCRPI scores were released during the middle of our district principals' meeting. Talk about a double whammy. While the slight decline in our score did not surprise me, the realization of the pressure that comes with standardized testing and state rankings weighed heavily on my mind. I began to speculate about the reasons why our scores have seen a decrease in the past couple of years. I began to second guess the way that we are teaching kids, our focus on integrating technology, our promotion of inquiry and problem based learning and our insistence that students must be prepared for a 21st Century world by communicating and collaborating with each other. I mean, let's face it, our kids have to take a 20th Century test and the success of our school (in the eyes of the public) is based on a 20th Century evaluation system. Why not go back to the times when students got their knowledge from the textbooks, we used worksheets for skill and drill and we expected them to work quietly and turn in mounds of work?
But then I realized that we are doing the right work. We are preparing students for the world in which they will have to think critically and collaborate with others who may have different ideas. Our students are digital natives so the use of technology is not optional. We have diverse learners who may not be on grade level yet or may speak different languages, but they are making progress. Yes we will have to go back to the basics in some regards to make sure that the foundation is solid for all, but we have come a long way in our expectations of what students can do independently and the ways in which they demonstrate what they have learned. We have given students choice in how they learn and the level of student engagement is very high.
Do we have a responsibility to analyze our scores and make adjustments to our instruction? Absolutely! But we also need to celebrate that fact that we are giving our very best to EVERY student and no matter how slow their progress may be, every child should be encouraged to keep going. Students should be judged against themselves and not each other and we as educators must remember to do the same. You are an AMAZING staff and you give unselfishly to the students everyday. I am so proud of the work that takes place at Medlock and I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.
But then I realized that we are doing the right work. We are preparing students for the world in which they will have to think critically and collaborate with others who may have different ideas. Our students are digital natives so the use of technology is not optional. We have diverse learners who may not be on grade level yet or may speak different languages, but they are making progress. Yes we will have to go back to the basics in some regards to make sure that the foundation is solid for all, but we have come a long way in our expectations of what students can do independently and the ways in which they demonstrate what they have learned. We have given students choice in how they learn and the level of student engagement is very high.
Do we have a responsibility to analyze our scores and make adjustments to our instruction? Absolutely! But we also need to celebrate that fact that we are giving our very best to EVERY student and no matter how slow their progress may be, every child should be encouraged to keep going. Students should be judged against themselves and not each other and we as educators must remember to do the same. You are an AMAZING staff and you give unselfishly to the students everyday. I am so proud of the work that takes place at Medlock and I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.
Staff Spotlight
This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Cara Vollberg. This year Cara is leading a team where two of the teachers are new to first grade. Cara advocates for her team and works together with them to ensure that the lessons and assignments planned for first graders are appropriately challenging. The academic level of first graders range from non readers to students who are reading two grade levels above. She goes above and beyond to meet the needs of this wide range of learners. Recently the parent of one of Mrs.Vollberg's students expressed her sincere appreciation of what Cara has done for her child. Much of the highlights from the letter are paraphrased below:
Cara we thank you for the impact that you are making on the lives of your students and the leadership that you are providing to your team. We truly appreciate ALL that you do.
This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Cara Vollberg. This year Cara is leading a team where two of the teachers are new to first grade. Cara advocates for her team and works together with them to ensure that the lessons and assignments planned for first graders are appropriately challenging. The academic level of first graders range from non readers to students who are reading two grade levels above. She goes above and beyond to meet the needs of this wide range of learners. Recently the parent of one of Mrs.Vollberg's students expressed her sincere appreciation of what Cara has done for her child. Much of the highlights from the letter are paraphrased below:
As a parent, I feel truly blessed that my child was placed in Cara's class. She is so kind and patient, and my child absolutely adores her. She has my child in, not only in RTI for reading, but she also started one for
handwriting and fine motor.......... She has
reached out to the OT for strategies and activities she can do to help
my child and others with their fine motor development and I have seen a dramatic
improvement already this semester.
She put my child in EIP at the beginning of the year............ and she continues to provide extra reading support and practice within her
classroom and has periodically re-assessed my child using BAS and STAR to monitor progress and provide her own remediation when needed.
Once a week Cara sends out a very thorough email to the parents
in her class, telling in detail, what the kids will be learning about this week
in each subject area. She gives plenty of notice to when they will be assessed
on the material, and she even provides examples in case a parent may be
unfamiliar with a skill/ topic. Her progress reports are thick packets of multiple graded work
samples for each subject. (Including Science/SS and health) She takes the time
to, not only grade, but write comments on each paper/test. It is evident that
much time and thought goes into each child's progress report.
From a parent's perspective, the love of her students is
evident. Not a day goes
by that my child doesn't come home and tell me something new that was learned in class.
I have been especially impressed with how she is not only teaching the
standards, but from what my child is telling me, she goes into great detail and
really gives the students a much better grasp on WHY these things are important
to know, instead of just having them memorize things for a test. I could go on and on with how impressed I am with Mrs. Vollberg. I always knew she was a good teacher and a great person, but getting to know
her as a parent has made me realize how extraordinary she truly is.
I know my child will encounter many different types of teachers.... I am just so grateful my child was placed with Cara at such a
critical stage in development. She is really been such a gift to my
child.
Cara we thank you for the impact that you are making on the lives of your students and the leadership that you are providing to your team. We truly appreciate ALL that you do.
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