MRVED Update

MRVED MELT 2018 Call for Presentation Proposals - LAST WEEKS

The MRVED Educators Learning Together (MELT) conference will be held at Lac qui Parle Valley High School on January 15, 2018. To help make this conference the best ever, we need your help. The MRVED is looking for enthusiastic people willing to present on something great happening in your classroom. This can be anything from Google Drive to differentiation techniques in your classroom. Technology or no technology proposals are welcome. Presenters will be paid a small stipend for your work. You may submit as many presentation proposals as you wish.

We are especially looking for any Pre-K teachers willing to present!
Call for Presentation Proposal Link will close on November 3 at 3:00 p.m.

**By filling out this form you are not committing to presenting, just providing the MRVED with your name and topic.**

2018 Call for Presentation Proposals Link

MELT Networking Session Facilitator Sign-Up

The MRVED is looking for facilitators of networking groups for the 2018 MELT in January. As a facilitator you are not expected to be the expert in the room, but rather move the discussion along. The goal of a networking group is to share resources and ideas with people who have the same interest. They are meant to include a give & take. Bring something to share and take something away that someone else shared. The only networking groups that will be offered are those that have a willing facilitator. If a networking group does not have a facilitator, it will not be held. If you would like to sign up, please click the link below and add your name to the list next to the group you would like to facilitate. The networking sign up will close at 3:00 p.m. on Friday November 17. If you have any questions or cannot access the form, please contact Brandon (braymo@mrved.net).

MELT NETWORKING SIGN UP LINK

October 18 Follow Up

Thank you to everyone that participated in the October 18 Best Practice Common Inservice Day.  Early reviews of the day seem fairly positive.  Our Superintendents, Principals, and Teachers' Advisory Council will be reviewing the evaluations from the day.  It is the hope of all these groups that we can provide something that is meaningful for all the teachers in the MRVED.  Our next Common Inservice Day will be MELT on January 15, 2018 at Lac qui Parle Valley High School.  Look for more information on the MELT in the next few updates.  It's shaping up to be a really great conference once again.

Information on New Minnesota Science Standards

MNSTA has developed a nice website that talks about how and when the new Science standards will be adopted.  If you are a teacher of Science, I highly suggest you check it out.

Preparing for the New Minnesota Science Standards

Tech Tip of the Week - wizer.me

wizer.me allows you to build an interactive worksheet.  The worksheet builder looks really intuitive and easy to use.  You can learn more about wizer.me HERE.

Innovator's Mindset - Characteristics of Innovator's Mindset

The 3rd chapter in the book Innovator's Mindset talks about the characteristics of the innovator's mindset.  Couros provides a story to illustrate and provide a picture as to what can encompass the mindset of an innovator.  You'll have to read the book if you want the full story, but in short it's about a teacher using video for a lesson for the first time.  There are two quotes at the beginning of the chapter that really hit home for me.  

The first being, "Great educators can work within the constraints of the system and still create innovative learning opportunities for their students".  Often times we are quick to blame the "system" for not allowing innovation, but if one thinks deeply about it, you CAN be innovative within the constraints of the system.

The second quote that provoked some thoughts and feelings was, "Effective leadership in education is not about moving everyone from one standardized point to the next but moving individuals from their point "A" to their point "B"".  This is so true not only for effective leaders, but effective teachers.  How do we meet each individual/student where they are and then move them individually along to their individual goals?

The two quotes above really made me think about my own practice before I even read the rest of the chapter on the characteristics of the innovator's mindset.  Below I will list the characteristics and dive briefly into each one.

1. Empathetic - An educator NEEDS to know what it's like being a student in their own classroom.  I have heard Couros speak on numerous occasions and he always brings in a slide that says, "Would you want to be a student in your own classroom?"  Think about it!

2. Problem Finders/Solvers - I love the fact he includes "finders" into the equation.  Too often our innovators are charged with solving problems and not necessarily finding them.  What if we allow our innovator's the opportunity to present their own problems and then encourage or support them when trying to find solutions? 

3. Risk Takers - This characteristic is fairly easy to see in innovator's.  They are willing to take risks for the benefit of solving a problem, or simply trying something new and different.  He uses the example of Apple taking the risk of creating the SmartPhone.  It could have easily been a "flop" like so many other technology innovations, but it wasn't.  Look at where that "risk" got them today!

4. Networked - The innovator is a networked person.  They rely upon the knowledge and skills of the people around them to help them solve their problems.  Today being networked means joining Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Blogs, etc...  Couros has a great quote here, "Sometimes, the most valuable thing you get from the network isn't an idea but the inspiration or courage to try something new."

5. Observant - The innovator is able to recognize a great idea and mold that idea into their own thing.  They are open-minded to new ideas and can make connections to education/their classroom through listening to great speakers or thought leaders.

6. Creators - Innovators are able to create products from their ideas.  "Learning is creation, no consumption."  The tools that surround us today gives us the ability to create magnificent products we could never have dreamt of doing 10 to 15 years ago!

7. Resilient - Innovators don't give up after a failed attempt.  They learn and try again.

8. Reflective - The innovator is able to reflect on what they are doing and then make adjustments.  Reflection is not only important for innovators, but for everyone!

MRVED Meetings
October 25, 2017  Superintendents' Council
October 27, 2017  Principals' Council

November 8, 2017    Joint Meeting of Principals' Council & TAC
November 17, 2017  Principals' Council
November 22, 2017  Superintendents' Council