MRVED Update - February 5, 2020

MRVED Business

Upcoming Meetings

February 12, 2020 - MRVED Board Meeting
February 21, 2020 - Principals' Council Meeting
February 20, 2020 - Teachers' Advisory Council Meeting
February 26, 2020 - Superintendents' Council Meeting

MELT Evaluation Results

Thank you to the 380 people that filled out their evaluation from the MELT on January 20th.  People often ask, "What do you do with the evaluations?"  The answer is fairly simple, our Principal and Superintendent groups look at the feedback and our Teacher Advisory Council (TAC) spends a whole afternoon reading the evaluations and providing feedback to make the day better.  Individual evaluations are also sent to the presenters as a way to help each of them grow in the craft of presenting.  Much time and effort goes into reading the evaluations and changes are made every year based upon the feedback.

The last question on the evaluation is always the question that tells the story of the day.  If you had to give the MELT and over rating, what would it be?  97.3% of the people that responded gave it a 3 or 4.

Professional Development/Standards Update

Social Studies Standards Review Feedback Requested

The Minnesota Academic Standards Social Studies are being revised during the 2019-20 school year and the state would appreciate your feedback on the current standards. This 17-question survey has four sections:

• Survey Participant Information
• General Feedback on the 2011 Minnesota Social Studies Standards
• Specific Standards and Benchmarks Feedback
• Standards Implementation

Complete the Feedback on the 2011 Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Social Studies survey. The survey will be open now through February 28, 2020.

Communication on the application process for the Standards Review Committee will be available later in the spring. Another announcement will be made with appropriate links when the application process opens. For assistance with questions, contact Filiz Yargici.

2020 Spring MN ASCD Conference - Self-Care for Educators and Students

Please join us for the Minnesota ASCD 2020 Spring Conference – Self-Care for Educators and Students. The 2019 Minnesota Student Survey told us that more and more students are facing long-term mental health, behavior and emotional problems. We also know that they need healthy educators who can provide a caring and safe environment. This conference topic is so timely, and Tina Boogren, author of 180 Days of Self-Care for Busy Educators, published fall 2020, and Take Time for You: Self-Care Action Plans for Educators, published spring 2018, is the perfect presenter.

The morning focus: 180 Days of Self-Care for Busy Educators. Discover how to lead a happier, healthier, more fulfilled life inside and outside of the classroom. Dr. Tina H. Boogren will guide participants through the four major seasons of the school year, highlighting practical self-care strategies and techniques that correspond with each season. Themes range from creativity and inspiration to relationships and time management for teachers and administrators.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how prioritizing your own self-care will better equip you to positively impact student learning and achievement.
• Discover low- to no-cost self-care ideas designed to help make meaningful, positive change.
• Explore the dangers of stress in the classroom and in an educator’s personal life and understand how this stress affects students.
• Let go of the expectations of perfection while practicing the self-care techniques and teacher wellness ideas that Tina provides.

The afternoon focus: Motivating and Inspiring Students. Bringing motivation and inspiration to the classroom is not easy. In this highly interactive workshop, Dr. Tina H. Boogren will help participants discover a results-driven framework—based on a six-level hierarchy of human needs and goals—that can be used to provide engaging instruction to students while supporting their mental health.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the foundational research and theory on motivation and inspiration as well as students’ mental and emotional well-being needs.
• Discover ways to create a culture and climate in schools and classrooms that help students feel safe, engaged, and physically and emotionally healthy.
• Learn specific strategies tied to the levels of the hierarchy that can be implemented immediately.

Cost: MN ASCD Member $190. MN ASCD Nonmember $205. Nonmember + 1 yr membership $215.

Registration includes lunch, refreshments, and a copy of 180 Days of Self-Care for Educators book, 7 CEUs and networking opportunities.

Don’t miss out on this important topic and excellent presenter. for more information about Tina Boogren, visit the MN ASCD News page: http://www.minnesotaascd.org/news

Register at: https://mnascdspringconference2020.eventbrite.com

Book Study - Sanctuaries - Mindfulness and Meditation

Once again, the book we are looking at is Sanctuaries by Dan Tricarico.  The focus of the book is self-care secrets for stressed-out teachers.  My synopsis of each chapter should, by no means, replace reading the book.  There are so many great ideas packed into this book, you will want to buy a copy and follow along!  This week we will cover the chapters on mindfulness and meditation.

Tricarico starts by defining mindfulness as, "the conscious knowledge that this, this moment right here, is the only moment you have, and it is neither good nor bad.  It just is" (Tricarico, 29).  It's being mindful of the moment you are currently in.  Our lives, especially the lives of educators, are extremely busy.  We run from one class to the next, scarf down a quick lunch, teach more classes, run practice after school, to running our own children from activity to activity.  We never give ourselves permission to simply just take in the moment.

Tricarico talks about how this "moment" can be any moment in time.  From your morning commute to the first sip of coffee in the morning.  Be mindful of that moment.  What beautiful scene do you drive by every morning and not pause to take in?  How great does that first sip of coffee taste?  It's so easy to take the morning drive for granted because our minds are filled with thousands of other thoughts of what needs to be completed today.  Give yourself permission to clear your mind and take in the scenery, even if it's a short drive to work.  You will pass by something worth looking at.

We need to use our senses when being mindful.  Tricarico talks about the practice of "Taking Five" (Tricarico, 41).  He says look around and notice five things.  Close your eyes, and listen for five things.  Utilize your other senses to find 5 things.  Bottom line, we have to give ourselves permission to take the time to be in the moment.  The nice part about being mindful is that it doesn't take a ton of time.  30 seconds to just take it in!

The last portion of this section talks about meditation.  In general, find a spot you are comfortable, breathe naturally, direct your attention to your breathing, and let any thoughts you are having pass by in the moment.  Concentrate on your breathing in that moment.  You don't have to be sitting in a "trance-type" pose with eyes closed.  Simply find a spot you are comfortable and start the process.  Again, this does not have to take a ton of time.  Try it right now and see how you feel afterward!

MRVED Update - January 22, 2019

MRVED Business

Upcoming Meetings

January 22, 2020 - Superintendents' Council
January 24, 2020 - Principals' Council
January 31, 2020 - Title III Teachers
February 6, 2020 - Substitute Teacher Training
February 12, 2020 - MRVED Board

MELT Recap & Evaluation

MELT 2020 is now in the rearview mirror.  Once again, the conference was a huge success.  Over 650 teachers graced the hallways of Lac qui Parle Valley High School and attended over 100 sessions.  Many of the sessions were led by some of our own awesome teachers, counselors, principals, social workers, etc...  Our hope is that you were able to grow as an educator through your sessions.

If you have not done so already, please take the time to fill out the Evaluation for the day.  Our Teacher Advisory Committee uses the information from the evaluations to make decisions on future professional development opportunities.  We appreciate any and all feedback.

Thank you to all that participated and presented.  A special thank you to all of Lac qui Parle Valley for the hospitality and hard work in getting things ready for the day.  LqPV does an excellent job!

Public Review Period for MCA-IV Test Specifications for Science

As a result of the 2019 revisions to the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Science, the Science Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment-Series IV (Science MCA-IV) will begin assessing these standards in the spring of 2024. In collaboration with a committee of Minnesota educators, MDE has drafted the Science MCA-IV Test Specifications to assist with the development of the new assessments.

Members of the public are encouraged to review the proposed MCA-IV Draft Test Specifications for Science and provide feedback through the Science MCA-IV Test Specifications Feedback Survey. The survey will be open until February 17, 2020. Your feedback is important in creating the best assessment possible for all Minnesota students. A copy of the survey questions is available to review and discuss with colleagues before entering your individual or group survey responses.

Professional Development

The Today Show recently featured the story from Lucy Laney Elementary School in North Minneapolis.  I highly recommend watching both the Today Show clip as well as taking the time to watch the documentary Love Them First.  The documentary is grabbing national attention and shining a spotlight on SEL in our schools.

Today Show clip
Love Them First

Book Study

Sanctuaries - Introduction and Section 1 - Sanctuaries

As we begin our journey through the book Sanctuaries by Dan Tricarico, I highly suggest purchasing the book and following along.  The book is about self-care secrets for stressed-out teachers.  It provides strategies for teachers in taking care of themselves.  During this book study, I will highlight some of my favorite points in the chapters and by no means is a substitute for not reading the book.  I would love to hear your feedback and experiences as well.

Tricarico starts by telling us why self-care is so important.  As teachers, I think we are well aware of teacher burnout and why our burnout rate is so high.  Teaching is such a personable and stressful profession.  We all have stories about teachers, and good teachers at that, that have left the profession due to the stresses.  A great quote in the introduction is, "Your well-being and the success of your students, relies, in many ways, on your ability to thrive - not simply survive" (Tricarico, iii).

I'm going to summarize the first section of this book in 1 paragraph, please note there is SO much more in this reading.

We need to find and recognize our own "sanctuaries", that is a place of refuge and protection.  This can be a physical place or an emotional place.  Some people go for a run to find their sanctuary, and some people simply want to sit in front of a TV.  We need to know where our sanctuary is, so you can go to that place during a stressful time.  You also need to be intentional about your self-care.  He says, "If you want to treat yourself better..., you must do it on purpose and by choice" (Tricarico, 7).  Then you need to give yourself permission to take care of yourself.  If your sanctuary is running, and you have a plan to run and are intentional about it, you also need to tell yourself that it is OK to take the time to do it.  Tricarico says you also need to put this permission in writing and give yourself a permission slip to do it.  By doing this, you are more likely to actually do it!

Again, there is so much more in these chapters, my goal is to get you thinking about your own self-care.  Start a conversation at your school today.

1. Where is your sanctuary(ies)?

2. How can you be intentional about your self-care?

MRVED Update - January 8, 2020

MRVED Business

Upcoming Meetings

January 20, 2020 - MELT @ LqPV High School
January 22, 2020 - Superintendents' Council
January 24, 2020 - Principals' Council
January 31, 2020 - Title III Teachers

MELT Information

MELT 2020 is fast approaching!  If you have not registered yet, please contact Katie (kraymo@mrved.net) at the MRVED office to do so immediately.

MELT (MRVED Educators Learning Together)  will be held at Lac qui Parle Valley High School.  The conference has over 600 individuals registered with around 100 sessions throughout the day.

Please look over these important points regarding the conference:

• You will enter through "Door #5" (follow the walkway to the left of the eagle statue).  

• Please make sure you stop at the registration table in the commons area to pick up your registration packet (personalized agenda with session selections, room numbers, clock hours, and lunch ticket, if applicable).  It will be in the alcove (by the pop machines) to the right of the doors as you enter.  

• Breakfast will be available when you arrive.  

• The first session will start promptly at 8:40 a.m.

• You are NOT able to switch sessions the day of the conference as the sessions become overcrowded and there may not be enough seating availability. 

•  Please dress in layers; some rooms may be warm, while others may be cool.

• If you are not eating the school lunch, please bring a bag lunch.  

• There will be rooms available for nursing moms; please see Pam Weber in the high school principal's office for availability. 

If the weather is inclement, any cancellation or delay relating to MELT will be posted by 6:00 a.m. on the WCCO website under "Quicklinks/School Closings".  We will be listed under MRVED (just the initials).  This will also be posted on WCCO's TV channel (CBS) and our MRVED website (www.mrved.com) under "Latest News".

Please look for an email a couple days prior to the conference with more specific information regarding the day.

We are looking forward to a great conference!

#WeAreMRVED

Science MCA Test Specification Creation

This year a committee is drafting the test specifications for assessing the new standards. The test specifications document provides directions to the people who will write items for the new MCA. The first draft of the test specification will be available in mid-January. We want your feedback and input through the end of February. The link for the Test Specifications draft and feedback survey will be posted on the MDE Test Specifications webpage. The MCA IV will first be given in spring of 2024. (“MCA IV in ‘24”)

Book Study 

Sanctuaries

For the rest of the year we will be examining the book Sanctuaries by Dan Tricarico.  This book talks strictly about teacher self-care.  Next time we will take a look at the introduction and chapters 1 & 2.

About the Book

A sanctuary is a place of rest and refuge, of safety and sanity. It’s a state of being that enables you to escape the busyness of life. It’s a moment of self-care that puts you at ease. But if you’re like most teachers, that place often seems just out of reach.

In Sanctuaries, Dan Tricarico (author of The Zen Teacher) shares insights and strategies for making space in your busy life so you can be the teacher and person you want to be. You’ll learn how to . . .

• Give yourself permission to take a break
• Be truly present, even when life feels busy
• Practice mindfulness
• Develop systems that make life more manageable

Living in a constant state of “crazy-busy” doesn’t help anyone, least of all you. To be at your best for others, you must first be your own best self, which requires slowing down and becoming aware of–and tending to–your own needs. The simple, practical, and actionable steps Tricarico shares in this guide will empower you to create a sanctuary plan that allows you to experience more peace and less stress–starting today. If The Zen Teacher reminds you to take care of yourself, Sanctuaries shows you how.

Discover your sanctuary.