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| Photo by tof Mayanoff on Unsplash |
“E A G L E S – Eagles!” For many of us brought up to have two favorite football teams, the Bolts (of course) and the Birds, this weekend marks the culmination of a lot of mixed emotions. Round here, when someone asks who your favorite NFL team is you proudly say the Eagles (and you inwardly gear up to defend them if needed, especially in those years where they are struggling. Let’s be honest, there have been lots of those years. If you meet people outside of the area and the Birds are brought into the conversation, you are told about how bad the fans are…inevitably someone has to mention the time when Santa Claus was pelted by a stadium of snowballs (that Santa had it coming right?). Once every naysayer has their moment, the one thing they can’t take away from us is our passion, loyalty, and dedication.
While It is ok for a fellow fan to point out their shortcomings, Lord help anyone outside the family do it. I can’t help but think of our work family in a similar way. You may give your colleague a good ribbing from time to time, but let someone outside of Millville Family talk badly about one of us and they will regret it. It is the shared experiences day in and day out that build the bond among a community. For the Eagles Fan Family, it is the many close losses, the times where a field goal goes wide…etc…that make this moment on the largest stage in the NFL so sweet. It is also the day to day hard-work, dedication, and passion for our students that make us all so very protective of our District. The times where the Department of Education highlights our State Assessment scores for not quite measuring up that make me so defensive to any outsiders who want to criticize the MPS. It is because I know a student’s value is much – much more than a standardized test score in math or language arts; they are so very much more!
They are their dreams, their passions, and their innovative ideas…You cannot measure the value of a child easily. Moving forward, I want to start implementing practices that mirror the belief that standardized tests are only a piece of what we do. I want to give teachers and students the freedom to connect to their passions, time to innovate, create opportunities to make the World around them better for real people through Project Based Learning Experiences.
We need to start shifting what we do in school to better match the likely future our students will face, instead of the future we faced. We must help students think like entrepreneurs. So, how do we do that? Glad you asked… we look to those schools that are already doing it. For example, Don Wettrick a teacher in Noblesville, Indiana – his students are making big differences around the Globe. Interested in learning more check out www.startedupinnovation.com for some amazing examples of what his students have accomplished. The first small step Don suggests is to incorporate the ‘rule of thirds’. First, are you (student) inspired by the project? Second, (teacher and student together) what skills/standard will be developed/learned if you pursue the project?
And third, who will the project serve other than yourself? Getting students and teachers to create projects and experiences that are tied to the standards but are also tied to the students’ passion are key. Too often we create great students who are great at being students. More specifically, they are great at stacking their GPA’s. They seek to ask the teacher, “ok, what is it you want me to know and do and how exactly do you want me to present that?” And when these same students are asked to think critically and creatively, or as an innovator or entrepreneur they are paralyzed. Some grow frustrated and say ‘just tell me what you want’. I would like to continue discussing this and ideas that can push us to rethink our current system with you.
For now, Go Birds!!!!
Shout Outs!
"Super shout out to super specials teachers Cindy Commander, Matt Slater, and Andrea Dixon for organizing our Super Bowl Pep Rally. We have our own cheer, dancers, acrobats, boom wackers, dog masks, pom-poms and doggie bone cookies, made by our cafeteria staff. Whether you are an Eagle’s fan or not, what a wonderful way to end the week!"
~ Arlene Jenkins
"Congratulations to Jason Kessler for earning his 100th career win as the Millville High School Girls Basketball Coach last Sunday night. Jason has done a great job developing the program over the last 10 years."
~ Dave LaGamba
"Sarah Fryling did an awesome job sharing how she utilizes guided math in her classroom. She shared quick, easy to use tools and she offered to help other teachers they begin their implementation."
~ Pamm Moore
"Beth Benfer did an amazing job with the School Improvement Session for Lakeside teachers at the January Professional Development Day. She implemented a new strategy she learned at the Strategic Planning session to ensure everyone's voice was heard. In addition, she is going to follow up with this for any staff who missed the PD due to being at another workshop."
~ Spike Cook
"Kim Hallenbeck has worked tirelessly with staff to improve the Master Schedule each year. She has met with teachers and administrators to improve areas for next year. She is always seeking ways to do what is best for our students."
~ Spike Cook
"Matt Daniels has always been a proponent for the arts. He continues that outside of school with teaching at the Barn Studio of Art and sitting on the Boards for the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts and the Barn Studio. Thanks for all you do for our students in and out of the classroom!"
~ Henry Hartman
"Samantha Catlett has done a great job since coming to Bacon this year. She has seamlessly transitioned into her role as a 5th grade teacher, and she works well with her students to provide quality instruction. She also collaborates well with her colleagues. Sam was a Bear from day one!"
~ Mike Coyle
"Lisa Langlois does an amazing job as our receptionist. She is the first face that students, parents and staff see when they enter the building and is always ready to provide assistance. She does an outstanding job of making everyone feel welcome. Thank you Lisa!"
~ Steve Saul
"Thank you, Derek Clarke, for your work on the Holly Ball. It was a great event! Also, Derek, thank you for always sharing a kind word or a affirmative thought. Your positive attitude is truly appreciated. Thank you!"
~ Bridget Borlak
"Congratulations to Lida Stroup and her class at Lakeside Middle School. Lida’s class has be selected to participate in an exciting and challenging program through MobyMax. Her students are committed to putting in the required hours every week and tracking their success. Lida demonstrates her commitment to the success of all students by offering her assistance to other teachers and advocating for students. Thank you for all that you do!"
~ Maris Lynn
"Thank you, Val Archetto and Raffael Craig, for your flexibility and willingness to do what is best for our students. When we had Resource Rooms that needed to be filled, you accepted the challenge without question. Your teamwork and positive attitude are greatly appreciated!"
~ Jessica Kauffman
Published by Dr. Spike Cook, Millville, NJ
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