My WOW Factors this WEEK!

A 50 minute car ride to Schenectady this morning provided me with an opportunity to reflect on a terrific week. Facebook friends know that our family celebrated much this week with our son, Mike (14 year old freshman). His terrific report card, a big indoor travel soccer game and making the high school basketball team after never having played a single game were some of the highlights this week for the Sianos. My husband and I are sometimes in awe of our son. His courage, risk-taking and outlook on new challenges amaze us both. We have much for which to be grateful!

As I enjoyed the beautiful sunshine on my ride down the Adirondack Northway, flashes of great moments at school played in my head. I felt compelled to share. I am inspired by the work of Tony Sinanis and Joseph Sanfelippo entitled: The Power of Branding. (Future blog coming on that topic, as I just finished their insightful book!) They remind me how important it is to tell my school's story.

Anyone who knows me in any capacity knows that I love my school and my job as a classroom educator, as I often share/post/tout! Reflecting on a Visible Learning workshop this week with Dr. Peter DeWitt, I am reminded that it is important to be explicit and cite evidence when sharing. So, here are a few snapshots from my week that demonstrate why I LOVE where and with whom I work.

Observation/Participation:
Google Hang Out (video call) with Jasper Fox, facilitated by my incredible leader, Lisa Meade. I was excited to take away a few new ideas to tweak my flipped learning mantra in my classroom. However, I was even more jazzed to participate in the call with several middle school colleagues interested in starting or kicking up their versions of flipped learning. We now have created a support network in-house to take this concept to new levels, thanks to that experience. WOW!

Conversation at our team 8 meeting:
"I would love to hold my own lunch bunch to address specific skills for certain learners. Would anyone help me out once in a while by covering my recess duty?"  Before I can open my own mouth, 3 team 8 colleagues responded, "Sure, just let me know." "I would be glad to help." "No problem. Tell me when!"  WOW, again! 

Conversation at our team 8 meeting:
"I am at a loss at how to get a few minutes with this student to retrain and sustain our PBIS behaviors in the classroom due to his schedule." Before I can interject, another colleague responds, "I can cover your 20 minute PM homeroom to free you up. " Wow, again!

Observation:
I witness our incredible guidance counselor shaking the hand of a student who has a behavior plan that we are executing on our team to get him back on track. He congratulates him on his success for several weeks. Student posture changes: He lifts his head, puts his shoulders back and makes eye contact with said counselor. He was truly impacted by the gesture and the words, a student with whom we are working hard to sustain the improvements. Bravo, CC! 

Observation:
Team 8 chooses to give all students extra recess Friday afternoon in PM homeroom, as all work is up-to-date for students. I observe my colleagues on team 8 playing in the GaGa ball pit with students, playing a modified lacrosse game with students, chatting with students. I start snapping pictures with my phone to remember how great it felt/feels to work with such a talented group of educators, using our PM homeroom to CONNECT with students! WOW!

Quote from a team 8 colleague; "I really like this group of students. They are a great class." (This is group has had some challenges, as a whole, along the way. Our mission as a team was/is to give them the best final year of middle school possible.) WOW!

Observation:
Student issue arises at dismissal on Friday. As we hold the buses, I observe (and participate with) no less than 7 staff members (teachers, teaching assistant, counselor and secretary)who stop everything that they are doing to help resolve the issue. Resolved! WOW!

Conversation:
Walking out the door on Friday afternoon, a colleague shares her plans to purchase a winter coat for one of our 8th graders because she learned that she is in need. We discuss size and possible cost, as there is not one available for her in our NEW "closet" filled with donations from staff and community members created by one of our counselors.  (WOW and WOW!)


Finally, my own special moment to share. I make an effort to give "shout outs" to colleagues whenever possible via Facebook and Twitter, celebrating what they do for our students, TELLING/BRANDING OUR STORY, as educators. This week, I had the joy of being on the receiving end of a shout from a colleague on Facebook: "Had a student today tell me you are her favorite teacher... And not because she loves Spanish, but because you are positive, upbeat and kind!!!"
This statement had a profound impact on me. I do not know to whom she is referring, nor will I ask. Our school respects the confidentiality of our students. But, I know that our school social worker meets with students in need, students with issues. Reading that I was seen in this light by a student who might need a kind, positive, upbeat adult in her life was my HOMERUN for the 2014-15 school year. (I had to sneak a baseball metaphor in here somewhere.)  Connecting with students, creating relationships and an environment where they feel loved and safe is more important than anything we do (and cannot be measured by APPR, CCLS, assessments or anything else that is required of us, as educators).

I am privileged to work at my school (Corinth Middle School) and with some of the most amazing educators and staff members around. The "Polyanna" in me hopes that every school is filled with experiences like the ones that I had this week. One thing is for sure, PEOPLE make the difference. A big shout out to EVERYONE with whom I work, especially TEAM 8!! ROCK STARS! WOW!!