KICKOFF TO SUMMER
I hope your summer is off to a great start! I apologize for the delay with my final post. I suppose I could have just spared you, saved you the time, and skipped this blog, but I need closure . . . and I hope that after all you've read from me throughout the year you feel like you deserve at least that much!
The entire month of June has been and will continue to be a whirlwind of activity. As I tearfully told your kids last week (I have cried more than usual this year), I will be stepping out of the classroom to become one of the EASD's Technology Integrators (more on that later) next year. That meant I had to not only pack up and but also move out of my classroom last week. Luckily my husband's classroom has a huge storage closet (although he's not too happy that it's now full of all my stuff).
In addition, I had the privilege of attending Graduation last Thursday evening. I was so proud to know so many members of such an outstanding senior class. They were wonderful leaders at our school, and I see those same leadership qualities in this freshman class!
Tomorrow, my husband and I leave for Colorado, where we will spend 10 days. I will be the maid (I refuse to say matron) of honor in my college roommate's wedding this Saturday, and we'll get to spend some time sightseeing as well. We are super excited to tour the Olympic Training Center, hike around the Garden of the Gods, take in the views from Pike's Peak, catch a Rockies vs. Pirates game at Coors Field, see the U.S. Mint and Red Rocks Amphitheater, drive around Rocky Mountain National Park, and visit Cheyenne, Wyoming, while catching up with some of our friends.
When we get back from our trip, we'll be packing up our apartment in Mountville and closing on a house in Ephrata! We are so excited to be closer to school, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to get more involved in school activities by virtue of living in the community where we teach. (I am personally excited that all of the time we've spent commuting will now be added on to my sleep time! Your kids know my struggle.)
FINAL EXAM SUCCESS
All students worked SO hard reviewing and preparing for our Final Exam in Foundations of Science. They were focused during class time, and I loved watching and listening to them as they worked together to review using a wide range of strategies. That alone made me so proud! The multiple choice average was an 82%, which is outstanding. When the open-ended question was factored in, the overall average held steady at 81%. Collectively we achieved mastery level, and that is truly something to celebrate!
In addition, 41 out of 91 students (a solid 45%) achieved the goal I had set for them - to earn a letter grade on the Final Exam that was equal to or better than their Marking Period average grade. That is no small feat when the majority of students have consistently earned A's and B's in Foundations of Science!
MY MOVE TO TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATOR
Before I came to Ephrata, I never would have imagined that I would pursue - or be chosen for - a position with the word "technology" in the title. However, in the last two years, I have seen the power that technology has to transform the classroom and school as we know it.
My experience earning my Online Instruction Endorsement through Millersville University as a part of the first Ephrata cohort of teachers to complete the program opened my eyes to how challenging and collaborative online learning can be. I have tried out a lot of new tools and ideas with your students, and I have taken all of their feedback about Schoology, small group instruction, and student choice to heart.
Even though my new title is Technology Integrator, I know that where we are heading as a District isn’t just about technology. It’s about using technology as one of the many tools that can make learning more personalized, meaningful, and engaging for all students. It’s about transforming the classroom and making both online and face-to-face instruction better. It’s about creating and implementing cross-curricular projects that help students develop 21st Century Skills and explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) fields.
I am so excited that every student is going to receive a laptop next year. Every child in the United States has a right to a free and appropriate public education, and since so many resources now exist online, it is important that every child has access to technology. I am sure there will be bumps in the road as we become a 1:1 school district, but with ongoing communication on the part of students, teachers, parents, and administrators, I know that we will continue to stay on the cutting edge of what's best for students. I am looking forward to facilitating that communication in this new role.
As I (tearfully, twice) emphasized to all of my students last week, I am not making this move because I was eager to leave the classroom! I did not want them - or my colleagues - to think I was abandoning them.
I love teaching. Teaching is my passion. Teaching is my calling in life. I believe very firmly that "teaching is the choicest of professions because everybody who is anybody was taught how to be somebody by a teacher" (author unknown).
At the same time, I view this new position as an amazing opportunity to work with more students, more colleagues, and more parents and more buildings as we work together to carry out the EASD's mission.
The EASD Mission Statement says, "It is the mission of the Ephrata Area School District to provide all students a secure learning environment and exemplary academic programs that inspire all students to reach their full potential." I really want to focus on that inspire part. I also loved that Dr. Troop focused on the reach part in his commencement address last week.
Your children have inspired me and made me reach farther and work harder than I ever have as a teacher. I love them for that, and I am so grateful to you for sharing them with me and for helping them and me in so many ways throughout the year.
I appreciate your encouragement, your support, and your ongoing communication - even as this year comes to a close. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at ANY time in the future if you - or your child! - ever have any questions or need anything throughout the rest of high school.
Thank you for everything, have a wonderful summer, and Go Mounts!
I hope your summer is off to a great start! I apologize for the delay with my final post. I suppose I could have just spared you, saved you the time, and skipped this blog, but I need closure . . . and I hope that after all you've read from me throughout the year you feel like you deserve at least that much!
The entire month of June has been and will continue to be a whirlwind of activity. As I tearfully told your kids last week (I have cried more than usual this year), I will be stepping out of the classroom to become one of the EASD's Technology Integrators (more on that later) next year. That meant I had to not only pack up and but also move out of my classroom last week. Luckily my husband's classroom has a huge storage closet (although he's not too happy that it's now full of all my stuff).
In addition, I had the privilege of attending Graduation last Thursday evening. I was so proud to know so many members of such an outstanding senior class. They were wonderful leaders at our school, and I see those same leadership qualities in this freshman class!
Tomorrow, my husband and I leave for Colorado, where we will spend 10 days. I will be the maid (I refuse to say matron) of honor in my college roommate's wedding this Saturday, and we'll get to spend some time sightseeing as well. We are super excited to tour the Olympic Training Center, hike around the Garden of the Gods, take in the views from Pike's Peak, catch a Rockies vs. Pirates game at Coors Field, see the U.S. Mint and Red Rocks Amphitheater, drive around Rocky Mountain National Park, and visit Cheyenne, Wyoming, while catching up with some of our friends.
When we get back from our trip, we'll be packing up our apartment in Mountville and closing on a house in Ephrata! We are so excited to be closer to school, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to get more involved in school activities by virtue of living in the community where we teach. (I am personally excited that all of the time we've spent commuting will now be added on to my sleep time! Your kids know my struggle.)
FINAL EXAM SUCCESS
All students worked SO hard reviewing and preparing for our Final Exam in Foundations of Science. They were focused during class time, and I loved watching and listening to them as they worked together to review using a wide range of strategies. That alone made me so proud! The multiple choice average was an 82%, which is outstanding. When the open-ended question was factored in, the overall average held steady at 81%. Collectively we achieved mastery level, and that is truly something to celebrate!
In addition, 41 out of 91 students (a solid 45%) achieved the goal I had set for them - to earn a letter grade on the Final Exam that was equal to or better than their Marking Period average grade. That is no small feat when the majority of students have consistently earned A's and B's in Foundations of Science!
MY MOVE TO TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATOR
Before I came to Ephrata, I never would have imagined that I would pursue - or be chosen for - a position with the word "technology" in the title. However, in the last two years, I have seen the power that technology has to transform the classroom and school as we know it.
My experience earning my Online Instruction Endorsement through Millersville University as a part of the first Ephrata cohort of teachers to complete the program opened my eyes to how challenging and collaborative online learning can be. I have tried out a lot of new tools and ideas with your students, and I have taken all of their feedback about Schoology, small group instruction, and student choice to heart.
Even though my new title is Technology Integrator, I know that where we are heading as a District isn’t just about technology. It’s about using technology as one of the many tools that can make learning more personalized, meaningful, and engaging for all students. It’s about transforming the classroom and making both online and face-to-face instruction better. It’s about creating and implementing cross-curricular projects that help students develop 21st Century Skills and explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) fields.
I am so excited that every student is going to receive a laptop next year. Every child in the United States has a right to a free and appropriate public education, and since so many resources now exist online, it is important that every child has access to technology. I am sure there will be bumps in the road as we become a 1:1 school district, but with ongoing communication on the part of students, teachers, parents, and administrators, I know that we will continue to stay on the cutting edge of what's best for students. I am looking forward to facilitating that communication in this new role.
As I (tearfully, twice) emphasized to all of my students last week, I am not making this move because I was eager to leave the classroom! I did not want them - or my colleagues - to think I was abandoning them.
I love teaching. Teaching is my passion. Teaching is my calling in life. I believe very firmly that "teaching is the choicest of professions because everybody who is anybody was taught how to be somebody by a teacher" (author unknown).
At the same time, I view this new position as an amazing opportunity to work with more students, more colleagues, and more parents and more buildings as we work together to carry out the EASD's mission.
The EASD Mission Statement says, "It is the mission of the Ephrata Area School District to provide all students a secure learning environment and exemplary academic programs that inspire all students to reach their full potential." I really want to focus on that inspire part. I also loved that Dr. Troop focused on the reach part in his commencement address last week.
Your children have inspired me and made me reach farther and work harder than I ever have as a teacher. I love them for that, and I am so grateful to you for sharing them with me and for helping them and me in so many ways throughout the year.
I appreciate your encouragement, your support, and your ongoing communication - even as this year comes to a close. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at ANY time in the future if you - or your child! - ever have any questions or need anything throughout the rest of high school.
Thank you for everything, have a wonderful summer, and Go Mounts!