Another semester is in the books. I had another great semester filled with many opportunities to learn, laugh, and grow. I truly do love my job and the school I'm at. I tired once again to strengthen relationships with my students and really enjoyed the groups that I worked with this year. The new room was also fantastic ... what a difference! I was also very happy to 'ditch' my desk in the classroom ... I definitely felt more connected to my students and didn't miss the urge to sit behind a desk. Working with an intern again was a rewarding and growth experience. I hope I was able to provide some sage wisdom, a chance to develop positive teaching practices, and help install a growth mindset. I thank my intern for helping me reflect on our profession, sharing new approaches and ideas, and fostering my own growth mindset. I once again really enjoyed the TIFA experience and really fell there is a need for video analysis in education. This was the first semester as a RCSD connected educator. The access to the technology was quite welcomed and I felt gave many new opportunities to innovate and incorporate 21st Century skills. The use of One Note in the classroom was a positive experience and allowed the opportunity to share information, new ideas, and better learning opportunities. I was able to expand upon my use of coding and Minecraft and was very happy with the results of using both. I loved seeing students create, take risks, and learn in new ways. I know I reached some students who are usually not as motivated to try something new. The play, struggle, and collaboration I witnessed was worth the time spent for sure. I will continue to hone my use and understanding of the flipped classroom concept. It worked well with my work place 20 math class and really gave me an opportunity to connect with the kids building relationships and delivering content. Still a ways to go with this including getting more students to watch the videos. Hour of Code, Bread Out Edu Boxes, Skype opportunities also added to the fun and learning. I'm still trying to work on effectively using technology tools like Formative and Plickers for formative assessment and the mini whiteboards continue to get more students sharing work and providing feedback opportunities. As I corrected the CFD exams it left me with more questions than answers of how to effectively get students motivated and measure understand and objectives met. Sometimes I feel I'm stuck in two worlds. I would like to be more innovative and provide students an opportunity to grow and challenge themselves, but sometimes the current system does not allow for som of the changes I'd like to see. I tired to grow my education leadership position by providing support and offering resources. The basic requirements have been met for this position, but I'd still like to see it grow into a tru PLC with more talk and sharing of best and innovative practice. Still a good challenge. I have enjoyed my work as part of the Communication Committee trying to spread and share the great things going on at our school through our digital signage, twitter, and our web site. The new semester should provide some new and exciting experiences with reboots to the website and in door digital signage. Working with the assembly committee was once again fun and challenging always interesting to put on a 'show' for over 800 people. Our TEDed group is moving along slowly but surely and hopefully we can pick it up a bit in the next semester. I'm also going to try and boot up a Titan News team and get some strong content going for the digital signage and school you tube channel. The O'Neill 50th anniversary is coming up and there will be lots of work with this too. Got some positive feedback from parents with the efforts I made to stay in touch through e-mail and Remind ... was happy that my efforts to do a better job of communication had positive results. Second semester should be great. Really enjoyed going to lunch masses once again ... really helps put things into perspective and always good to feed the soul. Look forward to a new challenge with a new class business/tech 9 ... we are going to have some fun and try lots of new ideas out with this class ... stay tuned. Have some great PD opportunities coming up this semester too as well. So blessed to have a great family and health too. New semester ... new adventures ... bring em on
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AuthorDean Vendramin has been Educator for over 20 years. He is the 21st Century Education Leader at Archbishop M.C. O'Neill Catholic High School. He has a passion for all things in education with emphasis on technology integration, assessment, professional development, and 21 Century Education. Archives
April 2022
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