Coaching Corner

This year I will be focusing on the 10 essential characteristics of a 21st Century Educator (thank you, George Couros).

For this Coaching Corner we will be focusing on being Inclusive.

By: George Couros

Do we want everyone to think the same by the time to walk out of our classrooms or schools? If we do, it is not really thinking; it is compliance. Our classrooms are becoming so much more diverse in so many aspects, and this is something we need to embrace. Every single individual has different experiences and strengths that they bring to the classroom, and we are all better if we look to tap into those strengths and build a community around them.

Taken from: The Principal of Change by George Couros

Check out globaldayofdesign.com for more information and lesson ideas. Or check out Makerspaces on Powerschool.

Students need to make, build, and tinker. The Global Day of Design is one-day that focuses on using the Design Thinking process in school. Our goal for the Global Day of Design is to inspire a transformation in schools around the world to incorporate design into an every day practice with our students.

Be the teacher that is present with your students. If you're present, then they are more likely to be present. Right now we are at the part of the year where there are many things vying for our attention. Open House, State Testing, End of the Year stuff seems to cloud our minds and we forget about what's right in front of us. You have the opportunity to see these kids every day. Really see them. Make them feel like they belong. Make them feel safe. If you show up present and ready to make an impact, then the students are going to feel that. Finish strong!

Creating an inclusive culture in math starts with implementing a mathematical mindset. What mindset messages are you stating in your classroom? Are you praising the learning process? What are the students' mindsets? Check out this new resource for ideas on how to teach for a mathematical mindset culture. Each hexagon has is an illustrated idea with a free teacher video. Click on the hexagons to see a video. https://Creattinyurl.com/MMhexagons

Ideas include: Growth Mindset Culture, Nature of Mathematics, Challenge and Struggle, Connections and Collaborations, and Assessment.

One way to encourage inclusivity is by allowing students' gifts to shine. Passion Projects are a great way for students to research and create something that they are passionate about. For more information and resources check out Passion Projects here.

Want more ideas about teaching inclusivity? Check out Google's new tool, Talk to Books. This website run by Artificial Intelligence allows you to ask books what you would like to know. After you run the search, a list of books and the excerpt talking about the subject is listed. Check it out here: books.google.com/talktobooks/

After trying to decorate Micah's room the way I wanted it, I finally gave in and let him choose how he wanted his room. His pick, baby blue walls, which are perfect for his current obsession with Ariel. #sheislifesize #helovesher

Volume 2, Issue 2

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Volume 1, Issue 13

Kristy Andre, Ed.D. is an ISTE Emerging Leader (Class of 2014), Google for Education Certified Trainer, Apple Teacher, Tech Nerd, Instructional Coach.

Email: kandre@tustin.k12.ca.us
Website: kristyandre.com
Twitter: @kristyandre