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My students have shown tremendous growth and maturity since last year. I can see where many of them think before they speak and are conscientiously making an effort to do the right thing or at least look (mentally within themselves) to look at all options. It truly is a constant and unending work in progress, but I feel that is a the joy and sometimes burden of being a human being. I feel they are truly beginning to like who they are and value their worth. Awesome!!!

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In addition to being a new dean I am also serving as our school's safety specialist. So far we've successfully conducted a number of drills including fire, lockdown, and an off-site reunification walkthrough (which was no easy task trekking through the path we have to take with some very wiggly Y5-ers and Kindergarteners!). Our whole staff has been impressed at how awesome our students, especially the middle schoolers, have done with following expectations and taking these drills seriously!

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Developing relationships with the students always "fills" me.   Hearing their stories is the driving force that has kept me in the game for so long.   With many of my students the relationship has remained for years.   Today during Drive line one of my former students own kindergartner yells out the window, "my dad said you were the coolest teacher ever...he said your his FAVORITE".  I thought for a minute...yeah I was a pretty dang good teacher.   Even better...is this particular student now a father, had his share of challenges.   To see him all grown up and successful reaffirmed that we are planting seeds INDEED.

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This year I have been able to organize after school clubs and activities to offer our K-8 kiddos. We currently have art, capoeira, theater, kindness, knitting, robotics, Bricks4Kidz, Spanish, cheerleading, Girls Scouts, and a school newspaper/yearbook clubs going on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday after school. Our families have been very receptive and excited about it. Our staff has embraced the idea. And our students are being exposed to activities that pique their interest and expand their knowledge. I had desired to do this last year but it was my first year as a dean and I had to learn those ropes first. I'm super proud of this accomplishment and hope to build upon it as the year progresses.

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I made it through picture day Monday, amidst several hurdles that tried to get in my way.  Here's to tomorrow!
-Missy

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Changing How the Middle School is Viewed

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Changing How the Middle School is Viewed

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I have been in the middle school at my school as a teacher for 7 years and as a paraprofessional for 4. The middle school has been through 6 different deans, 4 principals, and 4 DSQ's. To say there has not been consistency is an understatement. As a middle school we have always had a perception that was negative and that most of our staff members were scared to even interact with our students.
An opportunity came up where the dean position was open once again at the end of the year last school. I have never considered applying for it because of all the inconsistency. As soon as it opened five of my teammates came and told me it is time for you to do this. It was an easy decision once I knew my team wanted me in this role.
Fast forward to my first wing meeting. We made lists of pro's and con's from last year. Our focus was culture. We discussed culture almost the entire meeting. Fast forward to the present. Our teachers are interacting with students positively, having restorative conversations, and building relationships daily. My new teachers are continuously growing even though some days they are completely spent. Each day we talk about what is working. The culture and perception of our middle school is changing. We still have a long way to go, but we are getting there.

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With this being my 3rd year teaching, I was a bit more familiar with systems and routines to implement through trial and error of my first and second year. This year I decided to implement more whole brain teaching rituals to help the kiddos better transition from 2nd grade expectations to 3rd grade expectations while having a bit of fun. I must say I am super excited about the way the kiddos are responding to one another and helping to hold each other accountable. It's an amazing feeling. 

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With this being my 3rd year teaching, I was a bit more familiar with systems and routines to implement through trial and error of my first and second year. This year I decided to implement more whole brain teaching rituals to help the kiddos better transition from 2nd grade expectations to 3rd grade expectations while having a bit of fun. I must say I am super excited about the way the kiddos are responding to one another and helping to hold each other accountable. It's an amazing feeling. 

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-Jasmyn Stewart

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Admittedly, I was less than thrilled to begin my second year as the Dean of Knapp Charter's middle school.  It was as if I was experiencing a Deja Vu moment that closely resembled a Twilight Zone episode (yes I realize that this ages me...slightly).  Once again, I was starting the year with 8 brand new first year teachers.   Couple that two grad classes, graduating twin boys, a unexpected move the weekend before school started.   Also charged with changing the culture in less time than is humanly possible, coordinating testing and more, overwhelmed is an understated adjective to describe my feelings about the year.

I regress, as this is supposed to be a POSITIVE post.   I am happy to report that while the year is off to more than a busy start, I have navigated this terrain with some success.  There are checks next to the items listed on the to-do list. And my new team of teachers is united, committed and dedicated to the work. In 20 days we have built relationships and connected with each other in ways like I never experienced before. I am so proud of them and actually look forward to the continued work that is necessary to build a middle school that others will want to emulate. -Sherri

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I decided to make a move from a position and school that really felt like home to me. When the opportunity arose to open Westfield as a new dean, I knew I had to take it, but I also knew it would be very difficult! We have had so many positive moments but I would say the best thing that has happened so far this year is watching the teachers on my team grow in their confidence. When I hear them say "I feel like I'm starting to get my footing- I had a really good day!" or "Things are getting much better every day!" I feel such relief. We have such a strong, flexible and dedicated group of teachers and I couldn't be happier to work with them all. 

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I decided to make a move from a position and school that really felt like home to me. When the opportunity arose to open Westfield as a new dean, I knew I had to take it, but I also knew it would be very difficult! We have had so many positive moments but I would say the best thing that has happened so far this year is watching the teachers on my team grow in their confidence. When I hear them say "I feel like I'm starting to get my footing- I had a really good day!" or "Things are getting much better every day!" I feel such relief. We have such a strong, flexible and dedicated group of teachers and I couldn't be happier to work with them all. 

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Beginning this year, I had a lot of negative feelings because of not receiving a dean position I had applied for. I was not sure if my mind was ready to be back in the classroom but when I saw all of my former students, I realized that I still have time to grow all of these wonderful students. It has been a great beginning of the year  and I have a very sweet and hard working group of children. I am very happy with the way this year is turning out. 

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Beginning this year, I had a lot of negative feelings because of not receiving a dean position I had applied for. I was not sure if my mind was ready to be back in the classroom but when I saw all of my former students, I realized that I still have time to grow all of these wonderful students. It has been a great beginning of the year  and I have a very sweet and hard working group of children. I am very happy with the way this year is turning out. 

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Last year I spent a LOT of time dealing with behavior issues and sometimes combative parents, which didn't leave me enough time to do what I'm supposed to do - observe and coach teachers. This year is off to a really great start in my hallway - I've had to deal with minimal behavior issues, been able to get in classrooms a lot, and am seeing really great things happening in my hall in terms of both culture and instruction!

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One of my 11th grade students, who's been with me since 9th grade, is one of the most reluctant learners I've ever had. He's so smart, but has no academic confidence. He's never shown interest in school and has always completed the minimal amount of work needed to pass. Last week, after having finished one of his math assignments early (!), he asked me if he could do homework for one of his elective classes that he enjoys :) -Kim Kramer

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I have recently joined a new school community. I was very nervous to move across the state and transition from teaching in an Urban setting to a Rural setting. However, I have been welcomed with an amazing team of teachers, and a very supportive administrative team. The admin team recently assigned me a mentor to begin transitioning me into an administrative role within the school. I am thankful, and very excited to begin growing in my leadership skills and see how I can support the CHA community.
-Sabrina VandenHeuvel

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Our elementary has a new principal this year, and although this is somewhat scary to me; because I was very close with our previous admin, I am excited to watch her grow.  In 10+ years of teaching, I have only ever had 3 admin, so I view this as an opportunity to analyze and reflect on past experiences and, when the time comes, how I wish to be as a leader.  -Missy

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We have struggled with school spirit in the Middle School the past few years - not for lack of trying - and have begun a new program called domiNATION this school year. The focus is on positivity, collaboration, and encouragement and it has started out quite well. Each grade level has created a "chant" (created by the students) and they performed them at a kickoff assembly. Grade 8 won the first "Chant-off", but the video I have of them is, unfortunately, not that great. Grade 6 took 2nd place and you can see their chant below.
- Jason Krugler