Gail Boushey
February 20, 2015
Issue #344
I was reflecting with a group of educators from Shakerag Elementary in Johns Creek, Georgia when Linda Ockwell, one of the teachers, said, “Teaching is my passion. Getting better is my job.” The words stopped me in my tracks. When I asked her to repeat them, she said again, “Teaching is my passion. Getting better is my job.” The quote is now recorded in my journal, where it stares me down, daring me to make it my own.
Most of us are passionate about being teachers. We care deeply about helping all students achieve high levels of success as well as helping them become kind and productive citizens. It is this passion that leads us to increase our knowledge and hone our skills, becoming the best teachers we can be. In the article "Teachers’ Mindsets: ‘Every Student Has Something to Teach Me'", Carol Dweck agrees, saying, “You recognize that the growth of your skills is in your hands, and you choose to make that happen.”
How do we get better at our jobs? How do we take the growth of our own skills into our hands?
- By gaining ideas and techniques from professional literature
- By observing outstanding teachers in action in their rooms and in professional development settings.
- By participating in candid conversations with colleagues
- By setting professional goals, and then taking action in incremental steps that will enable us to achieve them
- By taking advantage of technology: watching teaching videos, following teaching blogs, interacting on teacher Twitter chats, and more
Having passion is just part of the equation of being a good teacher. Getting better at what we do is what will make the greatest difference for the students we serve.
We’ve already got the passion. Let’s continue to refine our skills and bring greatness to our craft.
Online Chats—New for Members!
Brain research highlights the effect of brain and body breaks on a learner’s ability to focus. Join Gail, Joan, Lori, and Allison for an online chat discussing the importance of brain and body breaks. We will also share ideas for brief breaks you can try with your students. Participation is limited to 50 people. Join us for the session that best fits in your schedule.
Wednesday, January 28, 8:00 pm (Central Time)
Monday, February 2, 11:00 pm (Central Time, hoping our international friends can join us)
Thursday, February 5, 6:00 pm (Central Time)
Join us link becomes live five minutes before each session begins.
News from The Daily CAFE
New Subjects and Choices for 2015 Professional Development
Based on feedback from teachers we work with and from workshop and seminar participants, we’re addressing new subjects in 2015.
Math Daily 3 Quick Start Guide*
This Quick Start Guide will help you get Math Daily 3 launched smoothly.
Brief Focus Lessons
These lessons will help you keep your instruction focused and brief.
1 Use the Pictures…Do the Words and Pictures Match?
2 Practice Common Sight Words and High-Frequency Words*
"I Can" Bookmarks
Here are the "I Can" bookmarks for:
1 Make and adjust predictions; use text to confirm
2 Determine and analyze author’s purpose and support with text.*
*Available to members
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New Hopes, New Opportunities, New Possibilities |
 Conferring with CCPensieve
Print PDF Report |
Professional Development Opportunities
2015 Live WorkshopsWe are excited about our 2015 workshops. At each location, the first day will focus on Daily 5 and Math Daily 3. Day two is a new CAFE Intensive.
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2015 Online SeminarsPrefer short bursts of information combined with independent learning? Each session offers separate seminars on Daily 5, CAFE and Math Daily 3.
Learn more about Daily 5 and CAFE workshops, online seminars, and online graduate courses. Up & Running with the Daily 5Our new how-to video, shot in third-grade and fifth-grade classrooms, is available through subscription for online streaming or as a DVD. Go to Stenhouse Publishers to learn about a limited-time offer that could benefit your school. |