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Making Learning Personal
Winter 2019
I'm in!
Welcome to Cohort 3 of the Vanguard Teacher Program!
Pam Adams-Campbell, CHS
Olivia Aungst, WFMS
Kate Best, TES
Sarah Brown, WKMS
Lisa Bruck, CII
Lori Callan, MPS
Lindsey Chaffman, GTJHS
Jenni Clausen, CII
Cindy Doggett, WHS
David Dulberger, BRES
Ann Duncan, WMS
Alanna Duvall, MIMS
Adam Farbman, CII
Jackie Finley, VES
Amanda Fishel, WHES
Heather Flickinger, BRES
Kelly Forsythe, KES
Sarah Frank, UMS
Mary Geasey, MPS
Kaitlyn Graybill, LES
Adele Gupta, BES
Megan Hailu, WFMS
Jamie Hendi, LHS
James Hines, CII
Joe Hinson, WFMS
Emily Hood, WES
Jill Hood, TPS
Rebecca Hurley, CHS
Lindsey Kearney, BCES
Gina Kozimor, UMS
Cortney Krauss, BCMS
Jean Makusky, CMS
Katie Malone, TRES
Liz Matheny, FHS
Taylor McGaughey, FHS
Matt McVay, MOMS
Emily Mitchell, CMS
Melissa Myers, BCES
Jonathan Newman, WHS
Alex Owen, OMS
Lawrence Paul, AAE
Becki Pfeil, WFMS
Chip Phillips, WMS
Kellie Phillips, CMS
Kristen Pollard, NMMS
Caris Richmond, MOES
Abby Romberger, WHS
Shabana Sayed, WMS
Katie Shields, WHS
Jennifer Siderius, NMES
Scott Strait, MOMS
Alison Szot, AAE
Gary Thomas, UMS
Kaitlin Traube, WFMS
Evelyn Turner, AAE
Lindsey Weaver, MHS
Karen Wills, UES
Maggie Wolen, MYES
Hilliary Woodward, THS
See the full list of Vanguard teachers on The Team page of the Vanguard website.
The Effective Blended Classroom
Benefits of Blended Learning
Thurmont Elementary School
@FCPSYoung
When I tell people that I am in the FCPS Vanguard program, one of their first questions typically is, “Isn’t that lot of work?”
Yes, it can be a lot of work. So why am I still excited about using blended learning models in my classroom? The answer is simple - because the benefits make the work worthwhile.
So what are the benefits that I have found?
- Blended learning gives me the tools to work with small groups of students so that I can meet their individual needs. This year I have 28 students in my classroom, but I rarely work with more than 7 students at a time.
- I know my students. Because I work with students in smaller groups, I know where they are in their learning without having to grade huge stacks of busywork.
- My stress in the classroom has decreased. Why? I’m not working with large groups who I know aren’t attending and I feel like my efforts with students are successful
- Students are more engaged, are learning to communicate clearly with one another, and are learning how to work more independently. When I look up from my group table I see a classroom buzzing with activity, and academic conversations and that makes me happy.
- I am excited about what I am doing each day and I am growing as a teacher. I’m pushing myself to try new things and working with other Vanguard teachers who are challenging me to do more. At the end of each day, I feel like I have done all that I can do for my students.
If you are debating the use of blended learning in your classroom, I would encourage you to give it a try. You might just find the benefits are worth it.
In the Spotlight
Know Your Why
Stacy Sisler
Crestwood Middle School
@SSislerFCPSmsms
As I embark on the second year in my Vanguard journey, and begin to examine more closely my role as a Vanguard leader, I am struck by how many times I’ve been asked, “Why did you decide to do Vanguard?” or “Would you recommend that I apply for Vanguard?” or “What is blended learning anyway?” Each time I am asked these questions I have to stop and think about my response. I stop and think not because I don’t know the answer, but because I want to be sure that what I communicate not only highlights the “what” of being a Vanguard, but also the “why”.
Recently I had the privilege of being in the audience for a presentation by Tom Murray, the co-author of Learning Transformed. One portion of the presentation was about knowing our “why”. Why do we do what we do? What drives us to get up every day and return to the work we do and love it, even on the worst day? Do other people know that our “why” represents us? . . . (continue reading)
Leading by Example
How to Transform Your Blended Learning Journey into a Successful PL for Your School
Jessica Myers
Waverley Elementary School
As those of you also on this blended learning journey know, this new transformation of teaching and learning is VERY exciting and has transformed the way I feel about my day to day and going to work. I’ve noticed that the more engaging, unique blended learning lessons I’ve planned, the more eager I am for my day to be able to execute these lessons with my students. I have finally learned a way to make learning fun again and to use my creative side in my teaching gig. I finally understand HOW education gurus say and believe that the students should be exhausted at the end of the day from working so hard, NOT the teacher.
Blended learning is surely transforming my career. . . (continue reading)
#FCPSVanguard
Upcoming Dates and Reminders
March 11 - Vanguard Launch (Cohort 3)
March 19 - Vanguard Forum (Cohort 1)
March 21 - Vanguard Forum (Cohort 2)
May 16 - Vanguard Forum (Cohorts 1 & 2)
June 19 & 20 - Vanguard Summer Academy (Cohort 3)
Vanguard Teacher Program
Email: eric.haines@fcps.org
Website: vanguard.fcps.org
Phone: 301-644-5182
Twitter: @EHaines24