Good teachers leaving-how to keep them

How to keep good teachers......................

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/teach-plus/when-teachers-leave-stude_b_2259799.html?utm_hp_ref=education

The highlights:

• It starts with convincing principals that teachers are not easily replaceable.
•  Schools must focus on developing effective teachers into top performers.
• Schools must involve teachers in decision-making; survey data is not enough.
• "More than anything, teachers wanted the school to help us help students learn"

When teachers are not empowered to make changes in schools that would enable us to better serve our students, teachers leave and students lose out. It's time schools across the nation make it a priority to keep and develop their effective teachers and to involve teachers in that process. ~Alexandra Fuentes

Motivating Students???

Accountability:

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/authentic-assessment-accountability-schools-envision-bob-lenz?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29

"...our accountability is not driven by a system of rewards and punishments; it is driven by an authentic system of accountability driven by making the work of students, teachers, and the school public."  

Putting grades on display?  Hmmm, sounds scary-I wonder if you can even legally do that?  This might work for a gifted and talented school, but a school where there are grades of all percentages, I just don't know.  My fear is that too much focus will be on learning the information for the grade rather than actually learning the topic.................GRADES ARE NOT EVERYTHING!!! Just saying.

Mentoring instructors?!!

I was inspired by Liz's blog, so I read the article that she sited.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teach-the-teachers-shira-loewenstein?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29

Mentoring is a needed practice that has gone by the wayside, esp. as it relates to mentoring new teachers.  We are so busy that we barely have time for our own lives.

I was fortunate to have a work mentor that provided valuable insight and gave me direction.  Surprisingly, there continues to be things tat I need answers to and are unable to find the answers.  The nice thing for me is that I can email/call my mentor with any issues and they are quickly resolved! 

I challenge you to be the mentor that you never had or to follow the leadership that helped you achieve some of what you have done.  Ultimately, you need to do the work, but it is nice to have someone to lean on.  

We ARE Better Together!!!

TeacherHub.com & Ecards

TeacherHub.com is a site that provides resources by teachers for teachers.  There are hot tips and topics as well as contests. 

Sometimes it is great to realize that you are not alone in your feelings.  Check out the latest ecards that no teacher ever said.  http://www.teachhub.com/top-10-teacher-some-ecards

mini iPAD

OMGosh, Santa came early and brought me the mini iPAD.....so excited!

SPI experience

Getting ready for the standardized patient experience today.  Motivational interviewing techniques and bringing together much of what the students have learned in Survey comes together today.  Isabella is excited to go to UM today!

Somber Day!

I hope we are not heading FORWARD into a real depression! :(

Election Day

We are BETTER TOGETHER! 

I am so glad that this day is here~hoping that the drama of politics will settle down & we can focus on the things that matter.  I know Peace on Earth is wishful thinking, but is common sense asking too much?  Please vote or don't complain!  Your voice/vote needs to be heard/counted. 

Awesome!

Awesome! 

I just learned to embed a PPT into my wiki.  Yeah for me!  Favorite class so far!

Student Member Day/MADHE

Great meeting hosted by Baker College-Auburn Hills.  Very exciting time to be an RDH! 

Safe travels to all this weekend! 

RIP, Dr. Pete.

Hooters and Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

So the debate continues.........Is it OK to take your family to a Hooters Restaurant? 

(If you haven't been, you don't get to vote, since you don't totally know what you are debating.)

TOO cold, TOO soon!!!

What the freezing weather!  Bella woke up and said, "Mom it snowed!"  I of course said, no it didn't and she said, look out at my swing set-sure enough.  It's not even Halloween yet!  Brrrrrrr!

EDU 653

I like this course so far.  The text book seems like it has useful information and is an easy read.  Does anyone know how to add the TAG button from delicious?  I did not do it when I initally signed up and now I can find where to add it to my task bar.

Tigers..............UofM

Looking good, but the Giants are killing it!  Thought I'd blog, since watching my MI teams is depressing!

Beginning Blogging

Hello All,

This is my first blogging attempt, so bare with me. 

Go Tigers!!
Allison