MRVED Update - January 3, 2018

MELT Update

MELT registration closed before Christmas break.  This year we will have 600 teachers attending.  You will be receiving an email a couple days prior to MELT from Gloria Stotesbery with important information regarding everything you need to know about the day.  Please look for and READ that email.  Presenters will be receiving an email from Brandon in the next day or two regarding rooms, number of participants, etc...

The Biggest Education Stories of 2017 and 2018

NPR ran a story over Christmas break highlighting some of the biggest education stories of 2017 and what that means for 2018.  It's a quick read and will get you in the "know" on education issues at the national level.

Biggest Education Stories of 2017 and 2018 from NPR

In Minnesota one of the biggest changes will be teacher licensure.  You can read about what changes were made effective January 1 on the MDE website.

Resource for Cyber Bullying

In our world today it is important to talk to kids about the effects of cyber bullying.  Many of the lessons on this topic are cute, funny, childish, etc...  Many do not tug at your heartstrings.  This Was Louise's Phone will definitely show the harshness of cyber bullying today.  In full disclosure, there is bad language throughout the website.  What the site does is take you through the phone of a teenager that was cyber bullied and eventually killed herself.  This is a very powerful website to show how nasty cyber bullying can be.

Tech Tip - PDFCandy

Have you ever ran into an issue with a PDF file and wished it was in a different format?  Perhaps you wanted to take a file and turn it into a PDF, but didn't know how.  PDFCandy solves all your problems!  It is a super easy way to work with PDF's.  Give it a try today, it's pretty intuitive.

The Innovator's Mindset - Creating a Shared Vision

The next chapter in The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros is all about creating a vision statement for your organization.  The vision statement shouldn't just be a flashy catch phrase that looks good on your letterhead.  It needs to be something that all people in the organization believe and strive for.  Couros starts the chapter off with this quote from Wilferd Peterson, "Big thinking precedes great achievement".  That thinking needs to be laid out prior to any execution for people to have success.

Depending on a variety of different things, your current vision statement might need to be changed or tweaked.  If your vision statement was created in the 1990's, think how much the world has changed in 25 years!  The vision for your students today should be a little different than it was 25 years ago.  It's a good idea to revisit your vision statement every so often to ensure it still encompasses what today's students need.

Couros also talks about 8 characteristics of learning environments that inspire innovative thinking.

Students should have voice.  With technology today, we can help students amplify their voice through social media, YouTube, local newspapers, etc...

Students should choice.  Choice in what and how a student learns.  "Providing choice allows students to build on strength and interests to make learning relevant and fulfilling (Couros, 112)."

There should be time for reflection.  Much like a teacher goes from one class to the next without reflection, students do the same thing.  They jump from math to reading to science without ever having time to reflect on their own learning.

There should be opportunities for innovation.  This could be anything from "Genius Hour" to "Innovation Week" to embed daily into your classroom.  Bottom line, students need time to explore their passions.

Students are critical thinkers.  This one is probably easier said than done.  We should be teaching kids to respectfully ask questions and challenge ideas.  This helps everyone have a deeper understanding of the material and ideas and fosters innovation.

Students are problem solvers/finders.  Students should have the opportunity to not only solve problems, but also find problems that exist.  This goes hand-in-hand with being a critical thinker.

There should be self-assessment.  "Teaching students how to assess themselves rather than just do it for them, provides them another opportunity for reflection (Couros, 114)."  Teaching kids to self assess does not happen over night.

The learning should be connected.  How do we connect our content areas?  How do we connect with people/experts from around the world.  We, as teachers, need to reach outside of the box to make connections and show kids real world learning.

MRVED MEETING SCHEDULE

January 9, 2018           Title III ParaProfessionals
January 15, 2018        MELT
January 24, 2018         Superintendent's Council
January 26, 2018         Principal's Council
January 29, 2018         Technology Coordinator Networking Meeting

MRVED Update - December 13, 2017

MELT Update

MELT registration was fast and furious on day 1 with almost 500 people registered by the end of the day!  The deadline to register is 4 PM on December 20th.  If you have not registered yet, please do so today.

IF YOU WILL BE HOSTING A STUDENT TEACHER THIS SPRING PLEASE FORWARD REGISTRATION INFORMATION TO THEM PLEASE.

MELT 2018 Registration Link

Tech Tip of the Week - Osmo

Osmo is an awesome tool for classrooms in the lower elementary.  Osmo works with an iPad as an attachment.  It allows kids to use manipulatives on the table or floor and and manipulate things on the screen.  There are a variety of games and activities that come with it.  Check it out today!

Teaching Current Events

Over the past few weeks there have been no shortage of current events.  Many of the topics within our current events have been touchy subjects, but important ones nonetheless.  So...how do we teach current events to our students?  At what age is it appropriate?  How much time should we spend?  Is it worth it?

Each person has their own opinion on each of these questions.  Below you will find a series of articles on teaching current events to your students and possibly provide some clarity to the questions above.

Teaching Current Events in the Age of Social Media

8 Smart Ways to Teach Current Events

25 Great Ideas for Teaching Current Events

50 Ways to Teach Current Events

Innovator's Mindset - Engage vs Empower

This is the 3rd time I have read this book, and I love this chapter every time I read it!  There are some very powerful statements from Couros in this chapter that makes me question what education can and should look like.  Couros is definitely not saying what we are currently doing is wrong or bad, simply, can we do it better?

I love the image to the right.  Engaging students means getting kids excited about what we want, empowering students means getting kids excited about what they want!  Are we empowering our kids with learning or simply engaging them?  Do we ever give them the ability to learn what they want within your content area?  Couros gives the example of YouTube being the largest learning platform in the world but yet we still block kids from using it in our schools.  It's not shocking that kids misuse YouTube because teachers are engaging them and not empowering them to learn.  If we are empowering kids, it gives them a reason to use YouTube with a purpose.

Our schools are now investing time into innovation days or genius hours, which is great.  But Couros warns that these should not be stand alone single events that happen.  Innovation day and genius hour should be happening in all our classrooms as part of our pedagogy.  Think about the kid that learns to play guitar on his own by watching YouTube videos.  He didn't learn that skill by doing "genius hour" once a month!

Couros also talks about the difference between school and learning.  See the chart below for a summarization.

MRVED MEETING SCHEDULE

December 14, 2017    TAC
December 15, 2017     Principals' Council
December 20, 2017     Superintendents' Council
December 20, 2017     MRVED Board (7 p.m.)

January 9, 2018           Title III ParaProfessionals
January 15, 2018        MELT

MRVED Update

MELT Update

Melt 2018 is fast approaching and preparations are well underway.  This year there are over 30 sessions to choose from per hour.  There are many new sessions offered this year as well as some popular sessions from years past.  Some groups will also have the opportunity to network.

Registration
Last year we experimented with sending out the MELT brochure a couple days prior to sending the registration link.  This allowed people to set their schedule and read through the descriptions prior to registering.  This seemed to work really well.  The process will be the same this year.  The brochure will come to you on Monday December 4 from your Principal.  The link to register will come to you on Wednesday morning from your Principal.  Principals, look for this information from Mary please.

We cannot stress enough the importance of registering as early as possible.  Some sessions fill really fast, therefore the later you are in registering, the greater the risk of not being able to get into those sessions.

TIES Conference

The biggest educational technology conference in the midwest is happening December 9-12 in Minneapolis.  The TIES 2017 Education Technology conference takes place at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis.  This conference is jam-packed with tons of breakout sessions and excellent keynote speakers.  You can preview the breakout sessions by looking at the schedule.  You can also follow along on Twitter with the hashtag #TIES17.  If you are going, feel free to send Brandon an email or a Tweet as he will be attending as well.  If educational technology interests you at all, this is the place to be in Minnesota in December!

Simple Ways to Help Young Kids Develop Self Control

I stumbled across this article on Edutopia the other day.  It is about ways in which to help kids develop self control.  As a parent of a nine, four, and one year old, the tips provided here were very helpful and easy to do.  This is a great article for any teacher to read and could also be something to provide parents in your newsletters home.

Simple Ways to Help Young Kids Develop Self Control by Dr. Donna Wilson and Dr. Marcus Conyers

Tech Tip of the Week - Peergrade

Have you ever had students provide feedback on their peers work?  Peergrade allows you to do just that, but digitally!  Students can turn in their assignment, and the program will randomly distribute the work to students to provide feedback on.  The basic plan is free!  Check it out today!

Innovator's Mindset - Learn, Lead, Innovate

We are on Chapter 5 of the Innovator's Mindset by George Couros.  This chapter is full of great information, so we'll cover only a snippet of the chapter.  If you haven't already obtained the book, you still have plenty of time to get it and get caught up through chapter 5.

Chapter 5 is titled Learn, Lead, Innovate and the main purpose of this chapter is to show the characteristics of someone who can lead people through innovation.  It rings loud and clear throughout the chapter that you first must be a learner in order to lead.

One of my all-time favorite quotes is in this chapter, "Would I want to be a learner in my own classroom?" (Couros 83).  This is so true!  You need to put yourselves in the shoes of your students to feel empathy toward their school experience.  If you know what they are feeling, you can create real and authentic learning experiences for them.

Couros identifies 8 characteristics of the innovative leader:
1. Visionary - You need to see beyond the obvious
2. Empathetic - Feel for the learner
3. Models Learning - Be a learner yourself
4. Open Risk-Taker - Model risk taking
5. Networked - Open your mind to new ideas and people
6. Observant - Really look at the world around us
7. Team Builder - Need to be collaborative
8. Always Focused on Relationships - Foster the relationships

If you are going to lead innovation, you need to model learning & risk taking.  If people see you doing it, they are more likely to follow along.  Open your mind to new ideas and people and be willing to venture into the uncomfortable to make innovation happen.  It wouldn't be innovation if it wasn't uncomfortable.

MRVED Meetings:
December 1, 2017    Title III Teachers
December 14, 2017  TAC
December 15, 2017  Principals' Council
December 20, 2017  Superintendents' Council
December 20, 2017  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)

MRVED Update

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

MELT Update

The annual MELT (MRVED Educators Learning Together) conference is shaping up to be a another great conference.  There will be over 60 different sessions to choose from throughout the day.  We have had a record number of local teachers willing to present this year as well as many new faces.  Registration materials will be coming the first week of December.

Teacher License Renewal Information

There will be changes to teacher licensure and relicensure in the coming year.  There will be a new 4 Tier system put into place.  You can find a definition of each Tier in the legislation document linked below:

Teacher Licensure Legislation

There are still many unknowns with the new tiered system, so the state is delaying any 2018 renewals to 2019.  This information can be found in the following document:

License Status Changes for Renewal Applications

Teacher licensure is a legislative issue & MDE is striving to do what is best to carry out the legislation.  Currently the software they have in place does not have the capability to accommodate the Tiered system, thus the 1 year extensions on the licenses.

If you have any questions, please contact your local continuing education committee or consult the Minnesota Department of Education Board of Teaching Website.

Innovator's Mindset - Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

As we continue on our journey through Innovator's Mindset a reminder that George Couros will be our keynote speaker in March.  Keep in mind these summations are simply a taste of what the book offers.  Innovator's Mindset is a very good and quick read.

Couros ends this chapter with, what I feel, is one of the most important phrases in this chapter, "If we want meaningful change, we have to make a connection to the heart before we can make a connection to the mind (Couros, 79).  This quote couldn't be more true, and Couros talks about it extensively in this chapter.  If people don't trust you personally, why would they be willing to take a risk for you.  Applying this to the classroom - If kids don't trust you and really know you, they will not take a risk to be innovative in your classroom.

Couros offers three questions to consider for leaders trying to instill a culture of innovation into their schools.  I also think the three questions can apply to kids as well.

1. Do people often ask me for permission or guidance?
2. Have I created an environment where risks are not only encouraged but expected?
3. How have I highlighted the great work being done by our school to others in and out of the organization?

These three questions are valid for any leader or teacher.  Think about them and reflect on your own environment.

Couros also talks about creating a learning environment that is personalized to each individual.  He says, "Staff professional development can provide opportunities for creating a shared understanding of the group as a whole, but we also have to remember that the whole is made up of individuals (Couros 75)."  I think this also applies to the classroom as well.  We often lesson plan for the whole and forget that our class is not necessarily a whole, but made up of individual students.

The bulk of the chapter is about relationships, but there is so much more packed into it.  It really is worth the read.  I simply point out different aspects that stand out to me.  It really is a great read!  Pick up a copy today and follow along.

Tech Tip of the Week - Planboard

Planboard is for the teacher who wants to stay organized.  It's a great, FREE way to lesson plan and pace.  One of the best features is being able to reuse the lesson plans year after year.  So, if you still use the old fashioned paper and pencil calendar to lesson plan, try Planboard today.







MRVED Meetings:

November 17, 2017   Principals' Council
November 22, 2017   Superintendents' Council

December 1, 2017      Title III Teachers
December 14, 2017    Teachers' Advisory Council (TAC)
December 15, 2017    Principals' Advisory Council
December 20, 2017    Superintendents' Council
December 20, 2017    MRVED Board (7 p.m.)

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

MRVED Update

MRVED MELT 2018 Call for Presentation Proposals

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!


**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

October 18 Information

The October 18, 2017 day of professional development is set up slightly different this year.  It is being held at two different locations, the Kilowatt Center and Yellow Medicine East High School, both in Granite Falls.

Administrators have designated PLC leaders from their district who will attend an all day Solution Tree training at the Kilowatt Center in Granite Falls.  Your agenda is as follows:

7:15 - 7:55 a.m.     Coffee and rolls

8:00 a.m. - Noon    Solution Tree training

​12:00 - 12:30 p.m.  Catered lunch

12:30 - 3:00 p.m.    Solution Tree training continues

​Please note that your start and ending times are different then the teachers who are attending at the Yellow Medicine East high school.  You start earlier and end later.

***************

The remaining staff will be attending a day of professional development at Yellow Medicine East High School.  Your agenda is as follows:

8:00 - 8:35 a.m.  Coffee, juice, cinnamon rolls, yogurt in the YME gym

In the morning you will be split into 2 groups.  One group will attend Kayla Delzer's presentation first and then attend a breakout session.  The 2nd group will do the opposite.

8:40 - 10:20 a.m. Kayla Delzer presentation or breakout session

10:30 - Noon        Kayla Delzer presentation or breakout session

12:00 - 12:50 p.m. Lunch provided by YME Food Service

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.     District time - your district will be planning the afternoon portion of this day.

Only staff attending at Yellow Medicine East High School need to register.  Registration closes this Friday, October 6 at midnight.  Any questions on registration, contact Mary Brown at mbrown@mrved.net or 320-269-9297.

For those of you attending the PLC training, we are videotaping Kayla Delzer's presentation and will be posting it on a private youtube site.  Your district will receive information on how to access this presentation.

Tech Tip of the Week - PBS Learning Media

PBS Learning Media is THE destination for high-quality, trusted digital content and solutions that inspire students and transform learning. Developed in partnership with the WGBH Educational Foundation and supported by public media stations nationwide, PBS LearningMedia engages educators and learners at all levels with content from America’s #1 Educational Media Brand.

There are over 100,000 resources in this database for ALL grade levels.  From documents, to short video clips, to actual lesson plans and activities.  PBS Learning Media is a rich, FREE resource for any classroom!

Fire Prevention Week Resources

Fire Prevention Week is observed October 8-14 this year.  The theme is "Every Second Counts, Plan 2 Ways Out".  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has some excellent resources to share with your classroom and with your community.  Even if you don't bring any of this into your classroom, it is good information for you and your family.

Innovator's Mindset

We continue our series on The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros.  This week we will talk about Chapter 2, which is titled, The Innovator's Mindset.

Couros starts by talking about one of the most impactful books I have ever read, Mindset by Carol Dweck.  Before I started the book, I anticipated, due to the title, Couros would bring Dweck's work into the conversation.  Dweck talked about the difference between a fixed and growth mindset.  With a growth mindset the learner believes that with hard work and practice you can learn anything.  Your intelligence is not "fixed", you are capable of learning anything.

Combine the definition of a growth mindset with that of what it means to be an innovator and you get someone that believes that they can learn anything and develop something that is new or better.  With this combination, you get the Innovator's Mindset.

Couros also talks about failure in this chapter.  He talks about failure being part of the innovation process, but cautions against focusing too much on failure.  Couros says, "Having the freedom to fail is important to innovation.  But even more important to the process are the traits of resiliency and grit."  This is so important!  Nobody will ever remember you for the 1,000 failures you have, they remember you for the 1 time you got it right.  The innovator still needs to persevere through the process and succeed.

Couros mentions many other things in this chapter, but I highly suggest you purchase the book and follow along.  Couros will be our keynote speaker for the common day this Spring!