Mary's Retirement Bash
Please join the MRVED staff on Friday, April 6th from 2:00 - 5:00 as we celebrate the retirement of Mary Brown. Mary is retiring on April 6th from the MRVED after 24 years of service to the organization. Please come wish her well in her retirement and offer your appreciation for the many years of service. Refreshments will be served.Mary Brown Retirement Flyer
MRVED Business
March 29 Information. The next MRVED Common Day is on March 29. It is going to be held in Dawson at the Dawson-Boyd School and George Couros is the keynote speaker. George Couros is the author of The Innovator's Mindset. There will be over 500 staff attending on March 29. The schedule for the day looks like this:8:00- Breakfast-compliments of the administrators
9-9:45- District Time-Staff Prep for George Couros
10-11:45-George Couros Keynote Speaker
11:45-12:30-Lunch
12:30-1:30-Elementary meet w/ George Couros
Secondary in District time
1:30-2:30-Secondary meet w/ George Couros
Elementary in District Time
March 2018
March 29, 2018 George Couros (Common Day)
April 2018
April 11, 2018 MRVED Board (Executive Committe prior to this mtg)-NEW DATE
April 20, 2018 Title III Teachers
April 25, 2018 Superintendent's Council
May 2018
May 23, 2018 Superintendent's Council
Unleashing the Positive Power of Differences with Dr. Jane Kise
Learning Forward MN is offering a workshop with Dr. Jane Kise.
Learn to examine new initiatives and strategies to manage polarities, which are conflicting sets of values that, over time, benefit from interacting with each other. Understand how to map the values and concerns of various stakeholders. Experience using that information to plan professional development, determine action steps, and identify potential implementation imbalances. Hear how polarity thinking minimizes pendulum swings in policies by addressing competing needs and setting common goals.
When: Friday May 4, 2018
8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Roseville Skating Center
2661 Civic Center Drive
Roseville, MN 55113
Cost: $150 includes workshop, light breakfast, lunch and book
When: Friday May 4, 2018
8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Roseville Skating Center
2661 Civic Center Drive
Roseville, MN 55113
Cost: $150 includes workshop, light breakfast, lunch and book
Registration Link
Rocketbook has been featured in the past. Since the last time it was featured, there have been numerous updates to the app. Rocketbook is "smart" notebook. It allows the user to use the camera on their device to scan in a page of written notes. The user can then interact with the written notes digitally and send them to a digital home. There are different notebook options to choose from, one notebook requires a microwave to clear, whereas the others require moisture or dry-erase. It really is a cool product, check it out today!
Rocketbook Website
Chapter 13 & 14 Recap - Are We There Yet? & The Biggest Barrier and "Game Changer" to Innovation in Education
As I read chapter 13, I was reminded yet again that a standardized test can only measure certain things and not necessarily measure the things that Couros mentions in his book. Yes, the test can measure how we are doing in math, science, and reading, but it can't measure creativity or the ability to problem solve. Couros suggests surveying the students and asking these 3 questions:
1. Do you consider yourself as a successful, contributing member of society?
2. Why did you give the answer above?
3. What impact do you think school had on your answers?
You won't get a nice pie chart or visual graphic of these answers to measure, but the answers will tell you what you really want to know. Did your schooling contribute to being an active member of society? If one really thinks about it, do you ever look at someone and say, "boy, he's really bad at science.", probably not! But we have looked at someone and wondered what role they play in society. This little example should tell us what we value more as a society, and that maybe what our schools value and what society values are misaligned.
To get realigned we need a mindset shift - thus The Innovator's Mindset. We need to create a culture in our schools that value the 8 characteristics of the innovator's mindset. We need to let our legislature know what it is we value. We also need to allow the pendulum to swing back from the focus on standardized test to creativity and problem solving.
Chapter 14 is a continuation of chapter 13, but does a nice job of summing up the book. In chapter 14 Couros writes, "If we only teach students the curriculum, we have failed them. (Couros 223). Insisting that there is more to school than just learning "the facts", there is a hidden curriculum. This "hidden curriculum" is the 8 characteristics of the innovator's mindset that we have a difficult time measuring.
One of the most telling paragraphs in this book comes at the bottom of page 226. Couros talks about a new app that came out and some people only focus on barriers of the new app, where others see the new app as an opportunity. My favorite quote follows, "You choose your perspective. It's okay to ask questions. Just make sure your questions aren't really excuses in disguise." (Couros 226-27).
In closing the book, I will leave you with one last quote, "...the biggest barrier to innovation is our own way of thinking. I am also reminded of the biggest game changer - and it isn't technology. The biggest game changers in education are, and always will be, the educators who embrace the innovator's mindset." (Couros 227)
Tech Tip of the Week - Rocketbook
Rocketbook Website
The Innovator's Mindset - Chapter 13 & 14 & Wrap Up
We will wrap up the book The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros one day before Couros is set to be with MRVED teachers. It's set to be a great day of learning and conversation. Couros will make you laugh, cry, and reflect all in the same breath.Chapter 13 & 14 Recap - Are We There Yet? & The Biggest Barrier and "Game Changer" to Innovation in Education
As I read chapter 13, I was reminded yet again that a standardized test can only measure certain things and not necessarily measure the things that Couros mentions in his book. Yes, the test can measure how we are doing in math, science, and reading, but it can't measure creativity or the ability to problem solve. Couros suggests surveying the students and asking these 3 questions:
1. Do you consider yourself as a successful, contributing member of society?
2. Why did you give the answer above?
3. What impact do you think school had on your answers?
You won't get a nice pie chart or visual graphic of these answers to measure, but the answers will tell you what you really want to know. Did your schooling contribute to being an active member of society? If one really thinks about it, do you ever look at someone and say, "boy, he's really bad at science.", probably not! But we have looked at someone and wondered what role they play in society. This little example should tell us what we value more as a society, and that maybe what our schools value and what society values are misaligned.To get realigned we need a mindset shift - thus The Innovator's Mindset. We need to create a culture in our schools that value the 8 characteristics of the innovator's mindset. We need to let our legislature know what it is we value. We also need to allow the pendulum to swing back from the focus on standardized test to creativity and problem solving.
Chapter 14 is a continuation of chapter 13, but does a nice job of summing up the book. In chapter 14 Couros writes, "If we only teach students the curriculum, we have failed them. (Couros 223). Insisting that there is more to school than just learning "the facts", there is a hidden curriculum. This "hidden curriculum" is the 8 characteristics of the innovator's mindset that we have a difficult time measuring.
One of the most telling paragraphs in this book comes at the bottom of page 226. Couros talks about a new app that came out and some people only focus on barriers of the new app, where others see the new app as an opportunity. My favorite quote follows, "You choose your perspective. It's okay to ask questions. Just make sure your questions aren't really excuses in disguise." (Couros 226-27).
In closing the book, I will leave you with one last quote, "...the biggest barrier to innovation is our own way of thinking. I am also reminded of the biggest game changer - and it isn't technology. The biggest game changers in education are, and always will be, the educators who embrace the innovator's mindset." (Couros 227)
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