MELT - Evaluations and Thank You

MELT
First off, thank you to everyone who participated in MELT this year.  A special thank you to all the presenters and facilitators who make the day what it is.  If you have not done so already, please take a few minutes to complete the evaluation for the day.  We take all the feedback, present it to our various groups and make changes based upon the feedback.

MELT Evaluation Link

MRVED Business

Have a Great Summer
This is the last update of the 2015-2016 school year.  We hope you gained something from reading the updates this past school year.  We strive to create and pass along content that is relevant to our eight member school districts.  If you ever have a topic or something you think other teachers would enjoy reading or attending, please let Brandon know and he will gladly place it in the update.


Have a great restful break.  As every year, the MRVED will be open all summer, so stop by and grab a piece of candy (or a cup of coffee) and say hello.  We always enjoy summer visitors and hearing about all your adventures during the break.  If you need anything over break, do not hesitate to let us know.  Get rejuvenated and some rest for another school year. Thank you all for a great year and we will see you in September.

MRVED Meetings
May 16, 2016  Principals' Council and TAC combined meeting (starting with lunch at 11:30 a.m.)                 May 25, 2016  Superintendents' Council

June 15, 2016  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
June 22, 2016  Superintendent's' Council

First Days of School - How to Increase Positive Student Behavior

"Significant people use significant words and actions to increase positive behaviors." (Wong, 69)

This week in Harry Wong's book, The First Days of School, we will enter our final chapter in the first part of the book what positive expectations can do in the classroom.  This first part was all about making connections, creating a safe and inviting environment, and increasing positive student behaviors.

How to Increase Positive Student Behavior

We'll start with a quote from the book; "How a person behaves in the journey of life is directly related to what a person expects to happen in life."  There are 5 concepts Harry Wong points to in his book that will help a person achieve whatever they want in their life, they are:

• Addressing a person by name
• Saying "please"
• Saying "thank you"
• Smiling
• Showing care and warmth

For this week, we will break down each of these five concepts.  Remember, your students will mimic your behaviors.  Model good behavior, and you will be surprised at how your students respond.  What you give is what you will get.

Address a Student by Name

Why does a salesperson repeatedly use your name when trying to sell you something?  It's because it makes you feel wanted and important in the short relationship you have with that person.  What can we learn from the sales people and how does it relate to education?

You are trying to sell "information" to your students.  If they never feel like they are a part of this relationship, and they are only there to listen to how wise you are, they won't buy.  Students also tend to pay attention better when you use their name.  "When you use a person's name you are saying to that person, "You are important enough to me to identify you by name." (Wong, 70)

Say "Please," Please

Think about a time you were in a service-oriented business (grocery store, restaurant, etc...), if you have a good experience and are treated well, you are likely to return.  If you are treated poorly, you are very reluctant to go back to that business.  What can education learn from the business world?  Treat your "customers" with respect, and they will be a satisfied customer and will return.  "Kindness begins with the word please."  Wong suggests placing the word "please" on your worksheets and/or assignments.

Thank You

Please see the "please" section.  "Thank you says to others that you appreciate their effort and kindness." (Wong 72)

A Smile, the Frosting on the Cake
A smile is the universal language of understanding, peace, and harmony.  It is also the most effective way to create a positive climate, to disarm an angry person, and to convey the message "Don't be afraid of me; I am here to help you." (Wong, 74)

It All Adds Up to Love
Wong says, "When you look at the truly effective teachers, you will also find caring, warm, lovable people.  If you address your student by name, say please and thank you, and smile, it shows you care and love your students.

Creating the environment for learning is one of the first steps to becoming an effective teacher.  It all starts with the classroom environment and the teacher attitude.  Without the things outlined in the first part of Wong's book, becoming a highly effective teacher is an uphill climb!

Reflection
Take a moment and reflect on your own classroom and attitude:

• Is your environment a safe place to learn?
• Is your environment inviting?
• Do you treat all students will respect?
• Do you model saying please and thank you, all with a smile?

MELT

Thank You
The MRVED staff would like to thank everyone for another great MELT conference!  This year was bigger and better than any year prior.  The MELT would not be possible without all the great presenters and facilitators.  Also, a hats off to everyone in the Lac qui Parle Valley school district for being such gracious hosts.  The custodial staff had the building in excellent shape for around 500 people, the kitchen staff did a marvelous job on the meal and served people quickly and effortlessly, the student council was of great help throughout the day, the teachers had their rooms ready for every session, and the administration did a great job with organization of the day.

Thank you to all the teachers that attended the conference this year.  Your dedication to becoming better educators does not go unnoticed.  We hope you got a variety of new ideas, strategies, and approaches for your classroom.  The MRVED staff is ever-impressed with the professionalism of our teachers.

On a personal note, Brandon would like to thank Mary Brown for all the hard work and extra hours she has put in over the past few months in getting everything organized, taking the numerous phone calls, and answering all the emails.  The MELT would never go as smoothly as it does without Mary's hard work and effort.

MELT Evaluation
Please take a couple minutes out of your busy day to tell us how your sessions went at the MELT.  We value and take into account all feedback.  The feedback is not only reviewed by the MRVED staff, but also our Teachers' Advisory Council, Principals' Council, Superintendents' Council, and Board.  We try hard to improve the experience every year.  Some of the changes you see (or don't see) are based upon the feedback given by teachers.  All feedback is anonymous and taken seriously.  Click on the link below to access the evaluation.

MELT Evaluation Link

MRVED Meetings:
February 4, 2014  Physical Education & Health (combined meeting)
February 5, 2014  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
February 6, 2014  Social Studies
February 7, 2014  Title III Teachers
February 12, 2014  Principals' Council
February 20, 2014  Teachers' Advisory Council
February 26, 2014  Superintendents' Council