Begin by mixing 1 cup of parenting support and 1 cup of communication to build a positive parent relationship in a large pan. Build on that base by adding 1 cup of learning at home to set parental involvement at home. Stir up the enthusiasm by adding a half cup of volunteering to peek parent interest outside of home. Pour in decision making slowly to gradually build up participation. Sprinkle collaborating with the community on top and bake in the oven for few months, checking frequently. Take out when golden brown and still moist.

Epstein, J.L. & et. al. (n.d.). Epstein's Framework of Six Types of Involvement. https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/Documents/6typesj.epstien.pdf

Appetizer:

Entree:

Dessert:

Drink: 

Entree
I would consider Growth Mindsets as the entree because it explains a person's potential for growth. According to researcher, Carol Dweck, there are three types of mindsets - Fixed, Growth, and Benefit. A fixed mindset believes intelligence is a natural talent and cannot be developed and is focused on acting smart but is trying to mask their lack of effort in doing work. Lack of effort might be deflected by blaming their teachers, peers, or subject matter. A growth mindset believes intelligence can be improved by hard work, persistence when facing challenges, and learning from others. A benefit mindset adds to a growth mindset and thinks about why we do things and how to grow. Dweck believes parents and educators inadvertently trigger the fixed mindset when they praise a child's intelligence rather than the child's effort, learning, and process. Teachers and students should adopt the "not yet" rather than "fail" mentality when facing challenges.

Dessert
For dessert, I would consider Harry C. Boyte's article "Purpose of Public Education". His opinion about being respectful towards others who have differing viewpoints, binds the appetizer, SEL, and entree, Growth Mindset, in a sweet and beneficial way. Boyte feels we must stop thinking in the "us" versus "them" mentality and instead focus on people working together to create a better society. Examples of communities coming together to create libraries, schools, and businesses were part of the very beginning of this nation. In the early 19th century, a Frenchman, Alexis de Tocqueville observed how people in communities who had differing political views worked together beneficially, which are desired in today's collaborative workspaces. Boyte also talks about Dr. Martin Luther's view on physical non-violence and managing a person's hatred within. Which can lead to a person's growth and benefit society.

Drink
For my drink, I would choose "Students & 21st Century Schooling". I think this as exploring something fun or daring. Author, Alyson Klein, talks about the challenges facing schools as they prepare students for post-secondary education or entering the workplace. The article speaks about the dilemma facing school districts in aligning their curriculum with skills students would need for their future. Should it be critical thinking or technical/career related? There are further challenges such as: parent expectations, very few working models and chances, national/state curriculum testing pressure, and quickly changing technology. Considering all the challenges places a heavy burden on a school, there are opportunities to collaborate with students, parents, businesses, and other educators to try new ways of learning.

1. Classroom circles - having students sit in a circle and share something about themselves to get to know each other better and make connections.

2. Restorative circles - to build a safe and supportive space, teachers have to be prepared and plan. During sharing time the students are allowed to share their experiences, the teacher acknowledges them, be empathetic and try to look at larger social picture.

3. Conference with student - students need to taught how to resolve conflicts productively. School staff can coach students on how effectively to listen, state what's on their mind calmly, and be come to mutual beneficial agreement. This can be used during mediation with students having conflicts.

4. Peace walks - students having conflict with another or student and staff member, walk together and have a guided talk. Student begins with how they feel and come to an agreement on how they plan to avoid future conflicts.

5. Feedback - student receives consistent one-on-one positive feedback from trained staff.

6. Peer conflict resolution - students are involved in resolving peer conflicts, helping decide consequences, and helping create agreements.

Additionally, I will advocate for the importance of having my paraprofessional participate in professional development trainings and activities. Teachers are not the only ones that benefit from these trainings. Paraprofessionals also deserve to learn new techniques and ways of helping students meet content standards. 

In the classroom, I will let my paraprofessional know about any classroom management techniques that I have implemented. I will then allow them to reward students as necessary. I would want my students to consider the paraprofessional to be similar to a second teacher. The paraprofessional has the power to discipline, reward, and assist students as they see fit and I will trust their judgement.  RP

Another way to implement restorative practice in the classroom is to provide students with positive feedback often. This way, students are continually praised for the things they are doing well. This helps boost their confidence and encourage them to also be positive to others. RP

References 

https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/how-restorative-practices-work-students-and-educatorsLinks to an external site. 

Resources https://www.edutopia.org/article/community-business-partnerships-resources Links to an external site. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/high-poverty-schools-engage-families-community-william-parrett-kathleen-budge Links to an external site.

Parenting (helping families create a safe, nurturing home environment). It is important for schools to provide resources for families that can help them understand how they can best support their child throughout their academic career. For example, schools can provide workshops for parents to learn discipline strategies. Additionally, districts can organize support groups for various family dynamics. I believe this should be optional for parents. I do not believe schools and teachers should overstep boundaries and tell parents how to parent unless the child is in danger. In cases of neglect or abuse, of course, teachers and administrators should step in and report it. 

Communicating: I believe that communication between students' families is so important. Families trust teachers with their children for hours every day. Parents and guardians should be kept in the loop about everything from academics to behaviors. Relaying information regarding what is going on at school allows parents to be active participants in their child's learning. 

Volunteering: Parents should be given as many opportunities to volunteer as possible. This also helps families be active participants in their child's education. However, not every parent or guardian has the time and resources, which is why I only included 1/3 of a cup. Families should be given the opportunity to volunteer, but not feel obligated. 

Decision making: Parents and guardians often know what is best for their kids. Because of this, I believe they should be given opportunities to voice their opinions and make decisions. This often means allowing them to attend meetings and parent organizations. Because not everyone is able to attend in-person events, I believe schools should send out surveys which will allow parents to send in their opinions on school related issues. RP

References 

Epstein, J. (n.d). Epstein's Framework of Six Types of Involvement. Center for the Social Organization of Schools. 

The entree is SEL (social-emotional learning). This is the main course. Teachers must provide a safe learning environment. They must put the student first. When a student does not feel safe or welcome, they will shut down and no longer have the motivation to learn. If a student has closed themselves off, teaching and learning go out the door. Students must be engaged to learn, and teachers must ensure that all students are socially and emotionally ready to learn.

The desserts are "Purpose of Public Education" and "Supporting Students." These go hand in hand. Teaching students and supporting their well-being is the best part. Educating our students and being there for them is what teaching is all about. We become teachers because it is our calling. It is the best job in the world because it is our passion, and we want to shape our children's lives to make a better future.

The drink is "Students and 21st Century Schooling." This is the politics of school. Nobody likes it and afterward; everybody needs to clear their heads and have a drink, whether you need a cold glass of water, a stiff black coffee, or a strong alcoholic drink to calm your nerves. This is the area that needs to get fixed but never does. Everyone wants to do things their way and with no compromise. The sad thing is that the students are the ones who suffer. This should be about the improvement of our broken school system, instead, it becomes about power and control.

Flannery, M. E. (2019, June 13). How Restorative Practices Work for Students and Educators. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/how-restorative-practices-work-students-and-educators

(1999, July 26). Teaching. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/teaching/The-doctrine-of-in-loco-parentis

(2016, August 29). New Teachers: Working With Parents. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/new-teachers-working-with-parents-resources

The entrée of this week's Learning Menu would be Social-Emotional Learning because it is the main focus of the menu in my opinion. Above content and standards, I believe that educating students can't be effective unless we are able to teach students how to be socially and emotionally mature and intelligent. Teaching students social-emotional learning allows them to be, "think about a situation before acting... empathize and show compassion... solve problems in peaceful ways... get along with other students... etc." (Committee for Children, 2016)  SEL even helps students perform better academically and allow them to be more likely to graduate college and get a job by 25 years old. These are incredible benefits and should serve as the forefront of education.

The dessert of the Learning Menu is Growth Mindset & Productive Struggle. A dessert is my favorite part of a meal and so is the growth mindset in this learning menu. I love the growth mindset because it taught me how to be successful. I first learned about the growth mindset and productive struggle as a freshman in my AVID class in high school. Growth mindset taught me step-by-step how to study, train, and work towards all of my goals. Teaching students this mindset and helping them understand that struggle is a part of the journey towards success is crucial to helping students gain the confidence and maturity to stick to their goals and achieve things that they might not have thought they could before. 

The drink of this Learning Menu is Supporting Students. You always have a drink with a meal, and you always have to do your best to support students. There are so many different types of drinks that you can have with a meal. Similarly, there are so many different types of students to support. Students have unique backgrounds, struggles, strengths, and weaknesses, so it is important that you are always doing your best to educate yourself and get to know these students so that you can most effectively support them and their unique situation whether those students be struggling with homelessness, foster care, adverse childhood experiences, incarcerated parents, etc. 

Klein, A. (2020, February 5). Data: 5 Big Challenges in Preparing K-12 Students for the World of Work. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/data-5-big-challenges-in-preparing-k-12-students-for-the-world-of-work/2020/02

Committee for Children. (2016, August 1). Social-Emotional Learning: What Is SEL and Why SEL Matters [Video]. YouTube.

Benefit Mindset. (2017, June 6). The Fixed, Growth and Benefit Mindset [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW2Sg3nOpd4

Cartoon Network. (2013, April 28). The Bully Effect | Stop Bullying: Speak Up | Cartoon Network [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d1_ZKlLR98&t=102s

To be able to be an effective teacher, one must understand the purpose of education. By being familiar with how teaching improves society and the lives of students, teachers are able to guide their instruction and understand why they have a passion for this career. I chose purpose of education as the appetizer because I believe it is important to start your journey as a teacher by understanding exactly what the purpose of teaching is and how you can guide your instruction to fit this purpose. 

Entree: Supporting Students 

Just like the entree is the main part of the meal, knowing how to support students is the key part of teaching. Students will not be able to learn to the best of their abilities without the support of their teachers. I believe that above all, teachers must find ways to support the diverse needs of their students in order to create an equitable classroom. A meal is not a meal without an entree in the same way teaching is not teaching without support for all students. All students deserve to be taught in a way that will be the most beneficial for them. 

Dessert: Social and Emotional Learning: 

Social and emotional learning would be the dessert because it ties everything together. Students are able to use what they have learned to gain skills that will help them succeed in the real world. By teaching students in a way that promotes social and emotional learning, they can learn self-awareness, self-control, and other crucial life skills. Social and emotional learning is the cherry on top of education, helping students become the best version of themselves.

Drink: Students and 21st Century Schooling 

A drink completes every meal, allowing one to wash down all they have eaten. In education, knowing the challenges students face makes it possible to teach in a way that prepares them for what is to come in the real world. After teaching the standards and social emotional learning, teachers can then use their time to focus on extra things to teach students. For example, they can focus on college readiness, testing skills, interview strategies, and more. This will help tie everything together, similarly to how social and emotional learning does. RP

1. Open communication: It is so important that educators and families have a way of communicating with each other. This way they can work together for the benefit of the student. It was awesome to see the video of one high school doing home visits to welcome students and start that relationship with the family.

2. Mutual respect: It is crucial that the teachers respect the students' parents and equally important for parents to respect the teacher's position. This will allow a positive relationship for the student and eliminate unnecessary struggles. Unfortunately this is lacking in many situations.

3. Shared goals: The families and teachers are both important adults in the student's life. Students really spend an equal amount of time together with their parents and teacher on the weekdays. Therefore they should all be moving towards the same goals, one of those being bettering the student in and out of the classroom. 

-KK

Entree: The entree is 21st Century Schooling tab, because that is the main part of everything. This tells us important statistics about the US school system, which is what all of our learning and teaching ties back to. For example, it tells us about percentages of proficiency and achievement gaps. It is important to know this to then figure out how to fix it. We see that students of color are disproportionally lower, which tells us about how the US system is treating these children. We then take that information and find ways to make it right. It also tells us how low the US school system ranks internationally, and that lets us know that we desperately need change and reform. All educators should be aware of the reality of the education system and make it a priority to make it better.

Dessert: The dessert is social emotional learning, because although it is not a main standard, it is an extra piece of the meal that everyone really deserves. SEL needs to start early and go on through adolescence. Students need to learn about their own and others' emotions. SEL is necessary for both classroom and life. It may not be required, like entrees or CA standards, but it should be included for all students, like dessert.

Drink: Finally, the drink is something that comes on the side of meals, but is just as important. The drink for this week's learning is the Supporting Students tab. Even though our job as teachers is to teach the content and standards, it is equally important that we support students as people. I read the article about supporting students experiencing homelessness. It is important to know the signs, ways to support, and steps to take if a student is in that situation. Different scenarios will always come up for teachers where they did not learn what to do directly in school. However, doing anything possible to support and love their students is always the right answer. This is just as important as teaching the curriculum. 

1.) Open Communication- I would start with clear communication resources between myself and the parent/guardian. I would include my school email address, monthly newsletters, phone calls from the school phone, and Class Dojo access.

2.) Respect and Empathy- I would add a healthy portion of respect and empathy towards cultural backgrounds, values, and beliefs. I would have families fill out a "Funds of Knowledge" questionnaire (in both English and Native language) to gain an understanding of my students' home life, activities, likes and dislikes, sports, etc.

3.) Involvement Opportunities- I would mix in various opportunities for family involvement, such as volunteering in the classroom, attending parent-teacher conferences, and participating in school events (dances, PTA, award assemblies, class birthdays, and holiday celebrations). 

4.) Shared Goals- I would blend together shared goals for the students learning and development. I would collaborate with families to set objectives that align with both home and school expectations. This could be academic and/or behavioral goals. 

5.) Resources and Support- I would sprinkle in resources and support to families to reinforce learning at home. Each student would have an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) binder with sheets or activities of core standards needed to master throughout the academic year. This binder would also have a list of educational websites to help families support their students. I would also send educational materials like books, school supplies, etc. for families without internet access. 

• 4 cups of Parenting - Parenting is the first ingredient because the home conditions are just as important in supporting a students learning as they are in the classroom. Understanding a student's background can help set the appropriate goals for the students 

• 1 cup of Communicating - effectively communicate with the parents and school about the students progress 

• A dash or two of Volunteering - Recruit and encourage parent support and involvement. Provide opportunities for staff and families to gain valuable knowledge to be more involved in school settings. 

• 2 Large eggs of learning at home- Building strong relationships at home, setting goals, working on homework together, and  being prepared for the next day of class 

• 2/3 cups grated Decision Making - encourage family participation within the school setting such as PTA or PTO 

• 1 cup of fresh Collaboration with the Community - organize and make resources and services available to the students and families that are linked to learning new skills and knowledge 

  -KK

Supporting Students is exemplified as the appetizer of this meal because that should be at the heart of our practice. If we are fed the appetizer of supporting students first, our foundation for the rest of the meal can have an appropriate posture. Each student walks in the classroom with heavy stories that need care and empathy. As we grow in learning about how to come alongside students experiencing homelessness, foster care, adverse childhood experiences, trauma, and incarcerated parents we can be more sensitive and empathetic in our approach to teaching. If we, as future educators do not have a taste of supporting students within our role, we are missing the call of Jesus to love His children well. If teachers are exposed to the various burdens that their students may be walking in the door with, the rest of the meal can digest in a more healthy and nutritious manner for our little learners.

Entrée: Students and 21st Century Schooling

Students and 21st Century Schooling is our entrée of this delicious meal that we call education. I would be a fool to say that schools today are the exact same way they were when I was a child. With this in mind, it is crucial that we swallow the fact that times have changed and our teaching methodologies and techniques need to change too. With the constant advances in technology, the college-ready obsessions, the pressures of standardized-testing, and much more flooding the thoughts of 21st century schooling, it is necessary to prepare our classroom structure in a way that ultimately prepares students for success as they transition into the world of work. Whether we like it or not, this entrée is rapidly changing and teachers need to be fed a filling amount of knowledge about how to cultivate a healthy environment that honors the world we live in as we delicately care for many futures.

Dessert: Social Emotional Learning

Instantly, I aligned Social Emotional Learning as the dessert of this meal because of the richness that this process provides. I cannot begin to express the beauty that has unraveled through being a first-hand witness to Social Emotional Learning happening within a classroom. Social Emotional Learning instills self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success. Similar to dessert, Social Emotional Learning cannot be fed to the students all day long. The intention of Social Emotional Learning is not the myth of only teaching students about their feelings all day long, but rather it should be served in small portions or the sweetness should be integrated throughout pieces of our teaching durations. Nonetheless, Social Emotional Learning is a rich piece of the students' education and can allow a class to feel more united as a whole. 

Drink: Growth Mindset

Similar to the dessert, I rapidly associated Growth Mindset with the drink. The act of having a growth mindset is nourishing and refreshing to our everyday lives. If we are capable of instilling a growth mindset and spotlighting the power of "yet" to our students, this concept with refresh their souls long-term. If we are pouring a fixed mindset into our students and yearning for them to grow, we will be disheartened at the results. This will not nourish our students, but rather leave them frustrated at themselves and ready to give up. In juxtaposition, if we usher our students to the cup of "growth mindset" I truly believe that we will be blown away by the optimism, unity, celebration, and joy that fills the walls of the classroom. I want to be a teacher that fills my students' cup with encouragement for the current process that they are in so that they feel built up to believe that it it true of themselves as well. - Marley Zwerner

Appetizer: The second appetizer of choice is SEL. The activity I chose to complete was the video on social emotional learning and why it matters. This video provided vital information on social emotional skills and how they are essential for success in school, work, and life. With SEL, students learn to manage their own emotions and behaviors and have empathy and care for others and are able to maintain healthy relationships. SEL helps students stop and think about situations before acting upon them. SEL is important in the classroom because they learn how to solve problems and peaceful ways. With SEL students students build confidence, stronger relationships with their peers, and learn how to effectively communicate and get the help that they need for adults. This activity is the second appetizer because it is the beginning steps they need to be successful in all aspects of school and life. 

Entree: The entree of choice is Purpose of Public Education. The activity I chose to complete was the Education Week’s Blog. This activity was full of vital information about why public education is valuable. Not only does this blog provide essential information about education, economy, democracy, and professional responsibility, but it also offers individuals the opportunity to share their thoughts online with others. This activity is the entree because there is a great deal of information and just like how our entrees are the heaviest part of the menu. 

Dessert: The dessert of choice is Growth Mindset & Productive Struggle. The activity I chose to complete was the video that focused on the three basic mindsets and why they are useful to be aware of. This video explains that each person has a unique mindset. People either have a fixed, growth, or benefit mindset. A fixed mindset symbolizes the everyday expert, a growth mindset symbolizes an everyday learner, and a benefit mindset symbolizes the everyday leader. This activity is the dessert because just like the choice we make to satisfy cravings, our mindset is our choice and the mindset we choose to adopt can shape our lives and all the possibilities to comet. 

Drink: The drink of choice is Supporting Students. The activity I chose to complete was the article “How to Support Students experiencing Homelessness”. This article explains the Mckinney-Vento act, which is a federal law that defines homeless children and youth, what protections and services are provided for the students under the Mckinner-Vento act, and how to spot the signs of students experiencing homelessness. In addition, this article provides seven strategies that teachers can use to respond to the needs of the students that are experiencing homelessness. This activity is the drink because as educators we should always be supporting our students and simply check in to see how they are doing. Just like a drink that supports our meal, we support our students. 

-KK

What I could literally fit in a bag...

-great literature that interests kids

-pencils, paper, scissors, glue sticks, etc. 

-first aid

-FOOD. Lots of nutritious food. 

-hygiene products

Things that I want to bring but may not fit in an actual bag...

-stable housing

-access to technology and the internet

-love

-caring adults

-medical, vision, and dental care

-money...it may not buy happiness, but it sure could solve some problems. 

When implementing such practices into a school community, teachers and school staff can create a learning environment in which all students feel a sense of belonging. "Zero-tolerance" approaches to discipline should not be incorporated in the school as they often encourage implicit biases based on the profile of students commonly punished. This divides students and creates an environment in which students view others as "trouble students" or even worse "bad kids". Therefore, restorative practices can be used most effectively when they are part of the daily routine and are constantly modeled and reinforced by the teachers and school staff.

I also loved the way the middle school approached discipline. With counseling, with repeated instruction in social behaviors, and with so, so much patience. When we take the deep breath and push through, believing in every kid, every time...they will learn. They will change and grow before our eyes. It's beautiful

• project-based learning opportunities

• engaging and enriching learning activities with real-world applications

• parent and family involvement in the homework process and other school functions

• internships with local businesses and corporations

• mentorships with elderly community members 

• mentorships and internships with experts, businesses, and other organizations

• grants and awards from local businesses

As a future educator, I think it is important to be observant and listen carefully to what students have to say. The world does not always pay attention or notice those students who are dealing with something such as bullying. It can be difficult for students who are dealing with being bullied to speak up and tell an adult. Bullying is a very difficult subject, but teaching others to understand the type of impact it can have on an individual can hopefully help to reinforce empathy. 

-KK

Secondly, I would have an open communication about the needs, accommodations, and modifications that each student needs to ensure myself and the paraprofessional team are on the same page. Together, we will bounce ideas off one another on what could truly benefit our students.

Third, working together, myself and the paraprofessionals will find different approaches that will benefit the students in the classroom. I plan to listen thoroughly to what the paraprofessionals have to say because they might see things that I might not. Together, we will come up with plans to help students with curriculum and behavior expectations. With an open mind, I will take in paraprofessionals' input and apply some ideas into the classroom routine.

Lastly, who doesn't love being appreciated? I will show appreciation and highlight the great contributions that the paraprofessionals give each day. Paraprofessionals work hard and deserve praise and support for what they do. In order to collaborate effectively, paraprofessionals need to know they are greatly appreciated and their hard work does not go unnoticed!

-TD

Ingredients

• Empathy

• Willingness to accommodate 

• Everything You Need to Know About My Child Survey

• Back-to-School Night

• Remind

• Weekly Class Announcements

• Multimedia

• Translators

• Parent-Teacher Conferences

Steps

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In a large mixing bowl, pour your your willingness to provide accommodations not only for their children but for the entire family into a large mixing bowl. This should be accomplished through little interactions at morning drop off, afternoon pickup, email or other communications and other school events in which the parents might be present.

Next, pour a survey sent to families so that they can write everything the teacher needs to know about their child and the family into the bowl. This will give the teacher all necessary background information needed to better understand their students. It also increases trust among parents and family members toward their child's teacher.

Next, pour invitations to parents and guardians for Back-to-School Night into the mixture. This is the optimal opportunity to meet with the parents and inform them about your expectations for the school year, particularly those pertaining to your relationship with the parents. 

Be sure to add information about the various ways in which you plan to communicate with them at Back-to-School night into the bowl. These include Remind notifications, weekly emails, handouts to be given to students each week, as well as any other communications preferred by the parent or guardian.

Note: Be sure to emphasize your willingness to accommodate communication with them. This includes translations of the announcements.

Next, pour invitations all parents to Parent-Teacher Conferences into the bowl. This is a delicate step as it should be treated as a collaborative event rather than a lecture about the child's performance.

Similar to the announcements, be sure to mix in communication of the possibility for the presence of a translator during any Parent-Teacher conference so that parents can be willing to attend regardless of their English fluency level.

After carefully and thoroughly mixing these ingredients in a large bowl, pour the mixture into an 8x8 pyrex and cook in the oven for 30 minutes.

Let sit, and enjoy a healthy collaboration with families in the educational setting!

Entree: For me this was the 21st Century schooling tab, I read the 5 big challenges article. It really highlighted some of the major issues education is facing and offered some solutions and hopes as well. It really helped me wrap my brain around thoughts I'd already been chewing on and stuck with me. I'm still chewing on "We're trying to build the plane as we're flying it." It's too real. And yet, we read an article in 503 the other day where I learned public education was literally founded on the same goals we are still struggling to figure out today. It's really inspired me. I'm thinking admin in my career one day now and reading extra books, observed a SPED class today, just because I wanted to see what was up. (It was an AMAZING experience.)

Dessert: I would say this was SEL for me. It's sweet, it's important, I look forward to it. I truly believe we are teaching HUMANS how to HUMAN in many ways, not just scholars. Tiny humans need to learn how to human from everyone in their lives, all the time. It's not easy developing a brain!

Drink: Growth Mindset was the drink for me because it's so effective. It's literally what hydrates learning. You'll shrivel up like a raisin without it. Your learning will die without it.  

The Entree would be the Youtube videos titled "Social-Emotional Learning: What is SEL and Why it Matters" and "“Five Keys to Successful Social and Emotional Learning." Like an entree, these videos provided the necessary information about Social-Emotional Learning, its importance, and how it can be successfully implemented in our classrooms. They serve as the entree because they are satisfying on their own, however it is never a complete meal without the other components.

The dessert would be Carol Dweck's TedTalk about developing a growth mindset. This video was a sweet treat as Carol demonstrated the difference between fixed and growth mindsets and how we can encourage the "yet" in learning. 

Finally, the drink would be the article "21 Simple Ways to Integrate Social-Emotional Learning Throughout the Day." Like a cool glass of water, this article gave me guidance to implement the necessary strategies to promote a healthy social-emotional learning environment in my future classroom.

Another way restorative practices can be used would be by having students discuss conflicts and how to solve them. This allows students to safely discuss problems they may be encountering and find solutions to their problems/conflicts. This will offer students the chance to learn how to problem solve effectively while also giving students the chance to have a safe place to discuss their feelings. Overall, restorative practices help build community and relationships within the classroom. 

8 cups communication

6 cups understanding and/or empathy

4 cups patience

2 cups outreach

1 quart of research, re: anti-racism, cultural differences, communication styles, neglect, body language, poverty, single parenthood- mix selected should match the clientele you are baking for. 

Variances to above quantities may need adjusting to fit the humidity or societal norms in your area, or to accommodate differences in the temperature or culture of each household. 

Mix ingredients together in a large mixing bowl, pour into 24 count muffin tin, adjusting the amount in each tin to the depth of its cup, and let bake 180 days. Garnish with sunny disposition brand frosting of your choice, kind or caring eyes, and a warm smile on top!

1. Saturday learning opportunities: Schools should offer learning opportunities over the weekend for families who need it. These opportunities can help bridge the gap between school and home. Schools can bring in experts that can offer services such as parenting classes, dual-language classes, assessments, literacy programs, and community/school family activities. By organizing these learning opportunities, the school will help families feel supported and help them find ways to support their child in their academic adventures. 

2. Mentors! : By bringing in community mentors, this will give students the chance to connect with trusted adults. Not every child has an adult in their life that they trust and can help guide them through life. If schools introduce programs like Big Brother/Big Sister programs, this will give students the opportunity to interact and get advice from a trusted adult in the community.

3. Guest Speakers: Schools should find ways to incorporate guest speakers into the school. Having career days where members of the community come into the school and discuss their jobs can help inspire students and help students gain some real world knowledge. Guest speakers provide students with real life information that the curriculum in the classroom may not offer. 

4.  Wishlists for the classroom: Teachers can set up online wish lists that the community can see and donate to. This can help the classroom get supplies that are needed and can help get the community involved. When students start getting new items into their class, they are going to feel excited and motivated to learn.

"That is an incredibly important question. First and foremost, it is necessary to understand the significance and gift of having a paraprofessional in the classroom. With this heart posture of gratitude and thankfulness for their presence, a healthy and mutually respectful within the classroom will be fostered. I believe in building a partnership grounded in open communication and a shared commitment to student success. Through getting to know my paraprofessional partner personally and professionally, our working relationship can effectively impact the students (Educator’s Voice, n.d., p.21). If we both understand each other's strengths, preferences, and areas for growth, our skillsets can complement one another in the classroom. Moreover, I'm passionate about exploring Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies together (Educator’s Voice, n.d., p.22). If we are both educated and up to date on student accommodations and goals for each specific student, we can cultivate a classroom environment where every student feels valued and supported. In our collaboration, we would develop tools and resources together that care for our unique classroom. Regular discussions at the end of a busy day or even once a week if that is all our schedules allow for would be crucial for reflecting and brainstorming what has been working and what needs a sprinkle of growth (Educator’s Voice, n.d., p.22). Most importantly, our collaboration would point to the fact that their contributions to the classroom are priceless. I can guarantee that if any administrator from your team walked into your classroom, you would notice a culture of teamwork and shared responsibility within our classroom." - Marley Zwerner

1/2 cup of building relationships: creating trust and bonds with students and their families sets up the foundation for a successful educational setting. This is an important step in this recipe because this allows parents and students to feel comfortable sharing information about themselves which can help educators make accommodations, if needed.

1/3 cup of "Parenting" : Educators can help parents find ways to establish a learning environment at home. Trainings, workshops, and home visits are excellent resources to offer parents.

4 tablespoons of "Communication" : Educators must find and maintain effective communication with families regarding students. Conferences, phone calls, and notes (written or digital) are a few examples that can really spice up this recipe!

2 teaspoons of "Volunteering" : Educators should ask parents if they can volunteer in the classroom or for special school events.

1 pinch of "Learning at the Home" : Educators should help families help students! Offering family friendly activities for home and offering families information on various subjects needed to complete work at home is essential to this recipe.

3 Cups of "Decision Making" : Educators should aim to encourage families to join the school's PTA/PTO and encourage families to attend district meetings.

6 teaspoons of "Collaborating in the Community" : Educators should provide families with community resources and extracurriculars. This will allow families to get involved in the community and build student development.

Mix all these ingredients together until a thick consistency is created. Refrigerate for 3 hours, and enjoy seeing students blossom because their families and educators are on the same page in their students' educational journey!

Ingredient List/Resources: 

Epstein, J. (n.d.). Epstein's framework of six types of involvement. https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/Documents/6typesj.epstien.pdf

About a month after that, my best friend of six years, in a room full of my other friends, decided that it would be a funny prank to pee in my lemonade at her birthday party. Long story short I lost all my friends within the week. I continue to have problems making and trusting friends to this day. 

Two years later I had a friend that used to manipulate me by digging her nails into my forearm. This friend group would make "jokes" at my expense, that were truly insults, and then laugh about it and expect me to think it was funny. No one noticed the physical abuse piece for months (it was happening in second period PE), until one day she did it so hard you could still see the marks when I got home from school many hours later. My mother inquired what happened to my arm and nearly burst into tears when I told her. 

In high school I was constantly excluded and left out, especially once I developed a chronic illness and was absent for 33% of my senior year. I received no concern or empathy, but merely a very rude and condescending, "Where the hell have you been?" paired with a sneer. 

Bullying, even just unkindness, is not something that will be tolerated in my classroom. Being kind to others will be my number one rule, and the thing I am the most strict about. I could barely watch this video because it took me to such a traumatic place. It's not okay. 

Entree: The entree for this meal would be the "Growth Mindset and Productive Struggle." This topic would be the main course because I believe education and our lives revolve around our mindsets. In the video I chose to watch, it discussed the three different mindsets: Fixed, Growth, and Benefit. People who have a fixed mindset avoid new things and stick to what they know. People with growth mindsets try new things and believe in change and improvement. People with the benefit mindset try to make meaningful differences in their lives and question the things that they do. The mindsets we choose have a profound effect on our lives and all of our future possibilities and endeavors. The mindset that students have effects their education and it is important for teachers to help students have a growth mindset so they can experience new things and be successful in school. For this reason, I believe this topic is the entree because it is the most important part of a full course meal and it is what fuels us.

Dessert: For dessert, I chose the topic "Supporting Students." The article I read focused on supporting students who are facing homelessness and how teachers need to be mindful and sensitive towards students' personal lives. In the classroom, teachers need to find ways to make students feel comfortable and avoid asking questions that involve home life as much as possible. For some students, school is the only safe place and teachers have to be sensitive and build trust with their students. This topic is dessert because dessert is typically sweet and we need to remember to be kind to all of our students.

Drink: The drink of choice is "Social and Emotional Learning." The video I watched discusses how social emotional learning is key for students because it helps students build relationships, how to problem solve, how to communicate their needs and wants, and helps them make informed decisions. Social emotional learning is important in early years and it is a skill that will be used all throughout life. This topic is a drink because during meals we take little sips of our beverage throughout the entire full course meal. Social emotional skills are skills we use all throughout school and life. We take "sips" of these skills to help us be successful in our educational journey and throughout life. 

Celeste Chastine

Professionally, this video was frustrating to watch. I was truly shocked when I watched how the principal handled a situation with the victim of bullying. The victim did not want to shake their bully's hand, which is understandable. Hearing the principal tell the victim that he was "just like him" because he wouldn't shake hands and then followed up with saying that the situation was "handled" because the bully was told to stay away from the victim. Continually cutting off the victim when he was trying to express that the bully still finds him, hurts him, and threatens him was so hard to watch. This clip alone makes me want to find ways and resources to truly help students who are experiencing bullying. I want to be as prepared as I can be for the moment a student shares with me that they are experiencing a bullying issue. I want to be able to truly listen, take action, and help students who are struggling. I do not ever want to react to a situation in the way that this principal did. I thought it was very unprofessional and I believe that she had the power to put an end to the bully's behavior, but she chose not to. In the work place, I will take action and try to put an end to bullying in the way that I would hope someone would do for me. Part of the job is advocating for students and helping them and I want to make sure that school is a safe place for all.

Celeste Chastine

Celeste Chastine

Celeste

Links to an external site.2. Communicating Resource: https://seesaw.com/family-communication/Links to an external site. This platform is a messaging site that keeps everybody connected. While also be able to translate messages into over 100 languages. 

3. Volunteering. Resource: https://www.choosebooster.com/blog/7-reasons-why-you-should-volunteer-at-your-childs-schoolLinks to an external site. This article shows the benefits of having parents volunteer at their children's school. This also provides a booster program that schools can apply for to help better create the program. 

4. At home learning. Resource: https://www.learningresources.com/free-at-home-learning-essentialsLinks to an external site. This resource is perfect for creating at home learning environment with a wide variety of content and the ability to put out lessons from educator to students at home. 

5. Decision making. Resource: https://medium.com/@jeffsant22/how-to-structure-a-school-parent-group-organization-13c6026c268aLinks to an external site. Great information on this webpage about how to structure PTA and get parents involved in schools. Helping to get them involved in the classroom and feeling apart of their Childs education. 

6. Collaborating with community. Resource: https://www.classdojo.com/Links to an external site. Class dojo is a platform where schools can provide parents with information. 

Celeste

Celeste

I would serve the Purpose of Public Education as the entree because, as educators, we need to understand the importance and purpose of public education. Public education was created to offer education to more students in more areas. When we help students to succeed in their education, it doesn't just help them but it helps their whole family and the generations after them. The Purpose of Public Education will be the main dish because it is the most important aspect, in my opinion. We have to know our purpose to keep us on track and to help our students see the end goal of working so hard in school. 

As the dessert, I would serve Students & 21st Century Schooling because it can be sweet or bitter. On one hand, there are some great things about the current education system and 21st-century schools. However, there are some things that are still lacking and need improvement. That is why serving this as dessert will help people understand that we have come a long way but there are many things that we, as educators and allies, need to fight for improvement. For example, standardized tests can be seen as a good thing to some but not all. With these tests, come a lot of negative student experiences. Many students struggle with test anxiety and we have to consider every aspect of the student experience when thinking about making changes to our education system (Klein, 2022). 

Lastly, I would serve Growth Mindset & Productive Struggle as the drink because, through all of the eating, it is necessary to have a growth mindset. If we do not believe that we can do it or we don't think that we can achieve our goals, then all of the improvements and work will be for nothing. Therefore, in all areas of education, a growth mindset is necessary because everyone will face adversity at some point and a growth mindset will help students to face challenges (Benefit Mindset, 2017). 

Celeste

However, there are countless others who do not have this same support system around them. They begin to feel isolated, unworthy, and so deep in depression that they feel the only way out is through the taking of their own lives. As an educator, I strive to be every student's advocate in these situations. I want all of my students to know that they have someone who loves them, believes in them, and wants them to feel safe in school. That is why I explicitly express my love and support for my students through my actions and in the words I use in the classroom. 

I recently saw the effect that such actions make in the classroom.  I currently work at a Catholic private school in Pasadena as a teacher assistant for the kindergarten class. A few weeks ago, I received a note from one of the kindergarteners in my classroom. In it, she listed all the things she had learned from me this year. The one thing that struck me most in her list was how I had taught her to be nice to others. Now, this class tends to struggle with treating one another with compassion (as is usually normal for this age, but nonetheless), so I constantly tell my kids to treat others the way they want to be treated. I also demonstrate these behaviors in front of them so that they might use my example when interacting with one another at school. To read this statement from one of my students, I realized how much of an impact our actions as educators have on our students. When they see how we treat others, and develop a sense of trust with their educators, they will mimic this compassion and kindness, creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment. 

Bread:

Burger (can be veggie :):

Cheese:

Topping:

Condiments:

Bread: The bread in this learning menu is the resources provided on Professional Conduct and Responsibilities: Moral Fitness, Confidentiality, and Mandated Reporting. The video on Child Abuse and Confidentiality immediately resonated with me as the bread because as teachers we are responsible for keeping our students safe and protected similar to how the bread holds all the goodies inside together. If we do not take our students' safety and holistic care seriously, we are not embodying a strong support system in holding the students together and allowing the classroom to be a safe space.

Burger: The burger would be the Teacher's Performance Expectations because they are a key component to one's educational journey as a teacher. If a burger did not have the foundational meat, the whole burger would be ruined. Similarly, if TPE's were nonexistent, teachers would not gather the foundational body of knowledge, skills, and abilities that California teachers are expected to teach within. If the foundation of a teacher's goals is not in alignment with what is expected of them, the burger meat will crumble.

Cheese: Have you ever been at a backyard barbeque when the burger griller asks for a head count on who wants cheese on their burger? If so, you may have noticed that there are some people who choose no cheese on their burger. Similar to this, some educators choose not to collaborate with their teacher collegeagues just like the cheese on their burger. After watching the video on Teacher Collaboration, I would advocate that everyone should raise their hands for cheese on their burger. Whether you like it or not, cheese on your burger is always the best option because it works in perfect tandem with the other burger flavors. :)

Topping: The toppings on the burger in this learning menu would be teacher biases in my opinion. Whether we notice the flavors of the toppings or not, the unconscious bias is always still in the mix. The more that we, as educators, yearn to comprehend the roots of our biases and how to shift our perspective for next time, the better we can view our students in light of who they are as God's child. This is similar to the toppings of a burger in that when we begin to slow down in our chewing and realize all the flavors, the burger becomes better and better with each bite.

Condiments: The condiments would be our readings out of Schools That Succeed and The Inclusive Classroom because they tie the learning menu, or burger, all together. The classic Ketchup to my burger was specifically chapter one of The Inclusive Classroom because I truly believe that if we design our classrooms with the foundations of inclusion in mind, the burger will be the best quality and it will produce the most juicy burger! - Marley Zwerner

Burger: The burger patty would be the TPE's because that is the main purpose for us teachers. These are expectations we should follow and things that we should consider when we plan our classrooms. It is important that we familiarize ourselves with the TPE's so that we are prepared when we do step into our future classrooms.

Cheese: The cheese is my favorite part which is why it is The Inclusive Classroom Chapter 1 because I really like that book. This chapter was important because it introduced important pieces like inclusion, educational rights, and diversity.

Topping: Collaborating with teacher colleagues make up the toppings for me because you can just keep adding them and each one makes the burger even better. All teachers are assets to each other because they add strengths or perspectives that you do not have. While a burger is still a burger without toppings and a teacher can teach independently, both things become so much greater with more collaboration.

Condiments: Teacher bias is the condiment because I hate condiments. However we need to be aware of teacher bias because we all have them unintentionally. It is a fact that students of color are disproportionally treated poorly. We need to be aware of this and wipe the biases away, just as I wipe off any condiments that get put on my burger. 

I think that the purpose of public education would fit the appetizer as the menu option because it was setting the tone of why public education is important. It reveals the concept that public education is a valuable resource and that all students should have an equal opportunity to be successful.

Entree: Growth Mindset and Productive Struggle

I think that growth mindset and productive struggle may fit in the entree category because it plays a role at the root of the learning experience. In food terms, the enjoyable meal may be the entree since it is the food you will be eating the longest and the one that will be consumed the longest just like a growth vs fixed mindset. The way we think defines our mood and results. If we develop a growth mindset we enjoy the journey of putting in our best efforts and love the process of learning. In other terms, if we love our entree, we may be motivated to order our dessert and and continue to keep coming back to the restaurant.  

Dessert: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

I do believe that SEL fits perfectly in the dessert menu category because engaging in Social-Emotional Learning is fun especially when it showed the fun ways to integrate SEL techniques with younger ages in classrooms and who doesn't love dessert? Dessert is always fun! Being able to dive into creative techniques like a calm-down corner, emotional health check-ins, calm-down jars and other fun exercises allows children to receive a variety of destressors enabling them to find learning enjoyable in school!

Drink: Supporting Students

I do believe that Supporting Students fits the drink category because we generally drink our beverage while we eat our entree at the same time. Following this same concept, we try to develop a growth mindset in each student while still taking into account a child's environment and personal conditions. We become aware of a child's circumstance and help them in any way that we can while simultaneously perform our best to motivate them into a growth mindset. 

Bread: The bread would be the Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs). I think these expectations should be the bun because teachers need to recognize what best practices are and what is expected of them as teachers. Teachers should have these expectations at the forefront of their minds before and after lessons and interactions with children. That is similar to a bun because we put a piece on top and the bottom. 

Burger: I think the meat is the best part of the burger and it is what makes a burger a burger so I would place professional conduct and responsibilities as the meat. Teachers must know how to conduct themselves professionally in the classroom. This is important for the children to see that their teacher is professional in all circumstances. Students will try to push the teacher's buttons but we have to remain clear-headed to make the best decisions for ourselves and more importantly for the students. Teachers also need to understand all of the responsibilities that come with being an educator. It can feel like a heavy burden most of the time, but we carry this burden with pride and joy. 

Cheese: The cheese on the burger should be collaborating with teacher colleagues because the cheese melts onto the meat and they become cohesive. This is true for educators. Once we find ourselves in our responsibilities and the way we conduct ourselves, we can then include our colleagues. Working and collaborating is so helpful and it helps lift the burden that I mentioned earlier. Asking for help from other teachers should not be seen as a bad thing. This can change the way we view education, our students, and our teaching! 

Toppings: I believe that the teaching bias should be the toppings because they help add more depth to the burger. For me, a burger is not complete without lettuce and tomato. Similarly, teaching without understanding the teacher bias and my personal biases would be a disservice to my students. I have to work extra hard to identify what biases I have developed so that I can stop myself from ever bringing those biases with me into the classroom. 

Condiments: I would include the Chenoweth reading as the condiments because Chenoweth talked about creating master schedules that include planning periods for teachers. This is important because teachers deserve paid time to plan and prepare for their students. They should not be expected to work on their own time to provide quality education. Similarly, Chenoweth wrote that a system of discipline that fosters trust is important so that students and teachers learn what is acceptable and the purpose behind each discipline. Lastly, there must be a way for teachers, students, and parents to track the students' progress. This will help all parties work towards the goal of having a successful student. 

Bread: TPEs- they hold everything together! They are the boundaries within teachers must exist. 

Burger: The Chen readings. I ADORE this book, I actually ordered her two others because I found it so helpful and interesting. This first hand experience in an easy to read format is the most useful thing we have read so far. 

Cheese: Collaborating with teacher colleagues- it makes me smile! I love bouncing ideas off of others and definitely agree teachers need to collaborate and learn from each other!

Topping (onions): Teacher Bias...it can produce yummy results if cooked and prepared right (doing the internal work to shift them), but they usually make people cry if cut raw!

Condiments: Professional Conduct- it can make or break a burger, or teacher haha

We would top off our patty with a robust cheese of 6 different TPEs. The TPEs are infused into the whole teaching and learning experience by creating a safe and welcoming environment, actively helping all students to learn by being organized and understanding individual student needs, checking student progress, and growing as an educator with professional development.

Collaboration would be the strong, toasty bun that holds the juicy patty. Working in small teams and large teams keeps the teacher from falling apart. Collaboration encourages team building and problem solving. You can use other's strengths to complement your weakness. Feedback from colleagues and admin can help you see your blind spots and see new perspectives. Common team goals help create equality in learning for all students. It also leads to professional and student academic growth.

One topping would be recognizing personal bias and working to build relationships rather than stereotyping students. Be positive and loving towards all students and help students build relationships with peers that are outside of their groups. Another healthy topping is Reading. Learning and understanding proven teaching strategies, systems, and perspectives develops your growth and motivates you as a person and educator.

Condiments brings a needed tanginess that is part of dealing with kids. This can include discipline, understanding how discipline is integrated into IEPs for students with disabilities, using positive interventions, and not being discriminatory. Another important aspect of interacting with kids is recognizing child abuse, which includes neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Our job as teachers is not only educating kids but keeping them safe from abuse and now school violence.

Bread: The bread would be the Professional Conduct and Responsibilities material in this learning menu. The bread holds everything in a burger together. Without it, we really couldn’t call it a burger. Similarly, the information provided regarding the Mandated Reporters and protection of our children holds everything together, as it helps us create a safe environment for our students. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the educator to help protect every child that walks through our classroom doors. 

Burger: The TPE’s would be the meat of the burger because they are the essence of what teachers are expected to understand and execute in their career. It lays out perfectly what we must accomplish to be successful educators. Similar to the meat, the essence of the entire burger, TPE’s are the key ingredient that defines the entire meal.

Cheese: The Collaborating with Teacher Colleagues section of the learning menu would be the cheese to this burger. I know a lot of people who prefer not to eat burgers with cheese on them, however those who try it notice that the flavors and textures simmer into the burger meat, giving the overall meal the kick it needs. Similarly, many people struggle to collaborate with their colleagues in various areas in school. While most teachers can manage to contribute excellently to their classroom on their own, it is always better to collaborate with other teachers in order to gain different perspectives and ideas that can make the school environment even better for themselves and their students. 

Topping: The toppings to this burger would be the Chenoweth and Mastropieri readings. In particular, the first chapter in The Inclusive Classroom served as the lettuce, tomato, and grilled onions. Like the toppings of burgers that are always falling out and onto my plate, the rights of children with disabilities slip through the cracks and are often ignored. Children with any need are usually left to fend for themselves, never truly getting the opportunity to thrive in the classroom and therefore struggle in the real world. It is our job as educators to catch these children when they start to slip out, putting them back into the burger.

Condiments: The condiments of this burger would be the Teacher Bias material. In my opinion, a burger is not complete without ketchup and mustard. Most often, I like to dip my burger (and fries of course) into the ketchup. Similar to a good burger, teaching is only amplified if we “dip” into our own implicit biases so that we can develop positive relationships with our students and guarantee an inclusive, welcoming classroom that enables them for success.

-Eleni Wojcik

Burger: The juiciest part and the main aspect of the burger is the burger patty itself. TPEs would be the burger patty! TPEs help teachers gain the knowledge and skills needed to become an effective teacher. TPEs help teachers provide their students with a safe, effective, and supportive learning environment and experience. Without the TPEs, teachers would not know what skills and knowledge is important. The TPEs help teachers know the expectations of being an effective teacher while also helping teachers understand how to help students with different developmental abilities. TPEs are the main aspect and expectations of becoming a great teacher. Therefore, it is the burger patty of a burger!

Cheese: When having a cheeseburger, the cheese melts on top of the burger patty and it looks like it is giving the patty a hug. It looks almost like it is protecting the patty. "Professional conduct and responsibilities" would be the cheese of a burger. More specifically, knowing the signs of child abuse and when to report it. As an educator it is our job to be aware of signs that our students are being abused and mistreated at home. When we recognize a sign or a student share with us that they are being hurt or neglected, it is our job to help protect them and report what we know to social services. It is our job to protect our students and advocate for them when students are unable to do so for themselves. 

Topping: Collaborating with teacher colleagues. The toppings on a burger really spice up the burger and make it taste so much better. Its elevates the burger. In order to elevate the teacher and the students' learning experience, teachers should be able to effectively collaborate with their colleagues. When there is effective collaboration, teachers walk away with new knowledge on how to help students get the best learning experience and they learn ways to step outside their comfort zone when teaching the curriculum. Without collaboration, the classroom experience would be bland and boring, just like a burger would be without toppings. 

Condiments: The condiments enrich the burger experience. Diversity in the classroom enriches the classroom experience because we learn more about people of different cultures and their experiences. Educators need to be aware of any unconscious biases that we may have. We must treat all students the same and have the same expectations and disciplinary actions for ALL students. We have to make sure all students are being treated equally. This is truly one of the most important things educators need to be aware of. We are here to help all students and help them become successful individuals.

Meat: Professional conduct would be the meat.  All educators must focus on providing a safe, welcoming environment for all students, regardless of abilities.  Acknowledging every student and including every student in classroom learning is vital to student success.  Keeping students safe in the classroom and during online activities instills a common trust between the educator and families.

Toppings:  Teacher-staff collaboration would be the toppings.  Collaboration with peers and administration leads to more productive learning environments for our students. Peer review, self -reflection, and professional training are all ways to help a teacher improve.  When a teacher improves, their students can improve.

Condiments:  The weekly readings in Chenoweth and Mastropieri and Scruggs, videos, and articles are the condiments.  These activities help strengthen what it takes to be a good educator.  Having a positive mindset aimed at inclusive classroom experiences will afford all students the greatest learning opportunities. 

Burger: Professional Conduct and Responsibilities- The burger is the main ingredient. It is at the core of any delicious burger. Your professional conduct and responsibilities as a teacher are what sets you apart from other teachers. This is where you are unique and can shine as a teacher because of how you act as a teacher. Knowing what you can and can't teach, your morals and values, safeguarding confidentiality, and when and how to report child abuse are essential for all teachers to possess. 

Cheese: Collaborating with teacher colleagues- I love cheese! I chose this as the cheese because the cheese always compliments the burger. Collaborating with your colleagues is great. I as a new teacher learned so much from collaboration. I had seasoned teachers helping me in my class when I had issues with my students "hitting." I learned different strategies for helping my students learn. Teachers have different teaching styles and help each other build strengths. Sometimes its trial and error, what works for one teacher may not work for another. This is when we can sit down and discuss what we as a team can learn and change for next time. No one teacher knows everything, and collaboration is a great learning experience for all. 

Topping: Readings- I chose this as the toppings because toppings just add yummy extra flavor to a great burger. We as teachers are constantly learning and the readings give us that extra new knowledge to keep us updated. How we teach and what we teach changes with each grade level. Reading helps us prepare for new students and makes sure we are abiding by the rules of the school and the law. Readings are powerful and meaningful. We as teachers are never too old to read and be knowledgeable in our profession.

Condiments: Teacher Bias- I chose this as condiments because like condiments, teacher bias is there but sometimes we don't notice them. We all have some form of teacher bias even if we don't want to admit it. We don't like it and we feel horrible when we realize what we have assumed about a student. We as teachers have to work on ourselves too. We need to acknowledge our biases and learn to stop. We need to take the time to know our students and treat them as human beings respectfully. We are their caregivers, support system, and friend. 

• Collaborating with teacher colleagues is the foundational bread for the educational and professional experience. The bread holds the burger together just like how collaboration among teachers will support all aspects of teaching. It is the foundation of gaining new perspectives, ideas, and development of teaching strategies through working together. Collaboration creates a sense of community and creates a foundation of support for teachers.

Burger: TPE

• The patty of the burger would represent TPEs. I think just like how the burger patty is the core of the hamburger itself I think the TPEs create a core for teachers. Trying to understand and strive the TPEs is what helps with effectiveness of teaching. They encompass various aspects of a lesson such as planning, assessment, classroom management, and development professionally. It allows teachers to create an environment for students to succeed.

Cheese: Professional conduct and responsibilities

• Professional conduct and responsibilities would be the cheese of our burger. Cheese binds and adds flavor to the burger just like how this topic binds the various aspects of teaching together. The aspects of teaching involve following ethical standards, maintaining professionalism, and following legal responsibilities. This topic enhances the teaching experience through ensuring all actions are aligned with the correct principles and professional norms.

Topping: Teacher Bias 

• Bringing attention to teacher bias is like adding the toppings to a burger. It's showing attention to diverse and nuanced aspects of teaching. Topping add unique elements to the burger just as management of bias is crucial to create a inclusive learning environment for students. recognizing and mitigating these biases will help to create equal opportunities for students.

Condiments: Strategies for effective teaching 

• Strategies for effective teaching is like the condiments. Condiments enhance the flavor of the burger just like how effective strategies will enhance the learning experience. They add adaptability and diverseness to the way content is being delivered in the classroom. This relates to the condiments as there is a diverse range that people use to enhance flavor. The strategies include formative assessments, differentiated instruction, and interactive activities. The diversity helps to target each student and their needs.

If this week's Learning Activities were a burger:

The Bread would be Professional Conduct and Responsibility (FERPA, COPPA, PPRA) because of the importance of student privacy laws and understanding your responsibilities regarding this as an educator. This is definitely one of the most important things we have studied in these learning activities which is why I think it is the bread of the burger.  

The Burger would be Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs) because it is the main event of our program just like the burger is the main part of the entrée. Our whole program and curriculum is geared toward preparing us for the TPEs. The TPEs.  Understanding what the TPEs are and how to better prepare for them is essential to becoming a teacher just like it is essential for a burger to have some type of burger in it. 

The Cheese would be Teacher Bias. Teacher Bias is another key part of a Burger as is Teacher Bias as an educator. Teacher bias is crucial because we cannot make students feel unwelcome or not safe in our classrooms. The ITVS video provides a touching narrative on the negative effect that teacher bias has on African American and Latino students and their expel rates compared to Whites. Teacher bias is very important for us to address and acknowledge as educators because our students need to feel safe and equal in our classrooms. 

The Topping would be the readings from Schools That Succeed by Karin Chenoweth. The chapters we read were on Experts and Their Systems at Work and A Cautionary Tale on Why Expertise Is Not Enough. These chapters would be the topping because they are an added improvement to the burger as are these stories and their effect on readers as teachers. Chapter five provides four stories about different experts and their systems at work while chapter six explains how expertise is not enough to succeed as an educator. 

The Condiments would be Teacher Collaboration as condiments take burgers to the next level just like collaborating with your peers takes teaching to the next level. This is shown in the YouTube video by Edutopia where the teachers at the Wildwood IB World Magnet School showcase their teacher collaboration and how it has led to the improved cohesion between teachers as well as outperformance  in the state in reading, math, and science since 2003.

Edutopia. (2015, August 25). Teacher Collaboration: Spreading Best Practices School-Wide [Video]. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85HUMHBXJf4&t=1sLinks to an external site.

KnowledgeCity. (2018, June 22). FERPA for Educators [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGyn0X4T000

ITVS. (2018, January 18). TED TALKS LIVE Short - Unconscious Bias [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rspZv2a0Pp8

Chenoweth, K. (2017). Schools That Succeed: How Educators Marshal the Power of Systems for Improvement (1st ed.). Harvard Education Press.

I would choose this tab to be the bread because it connects to the safety of our students and families. As teachers and staff, we have responsibilities to notice when our students lives are in danger especially when it comes to emotional, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect. Referring to the youtube video clip titled "Child Abuse: When and How to Report It" and also through mandated reporting training, we have the tools and resources to notice when a child is a victim of these abuses and are able to seek help for these students. As teachers we try to make every students education experience as normal, engaging, fun, rewarding, safe, knowledgeable, etc. as possible even though there is so many challenges within our classrooms and every students background. In comparison to a burger bun, the bread ensures that everything within the burger does not fall out or become exposed to external dangers (lol). It must keep everything inside safe no matter how much crazy toppings or add-ons we put inside it. Only then, it makes the burger complete. 

Burger: TPE'S 

Using the California Teaching Performance Expectations pdf under this tab for reference, I chose TPE's as my burger because I feel that it is incredibly important to ensure that teachers know the standards within the multiple or single subject credential. When teachers perform well, the students reflect the performance and are successful as well. The TPE provides a structured foundation of the context, intent of each TPE, elements that highlight teaching performance, and subject-specific pedagogy as mentioned in the document. All TPE's are incredibly valuable and important which is why I chose it as my burger ingredient because without it the burger just wouldn't be the same. It can provide a different flavor or if someone who has never tried a burger in their life before was given a burger without meat or veggie patty, they may hate it and go elsewhere for alternative food options which would be a disaster. 

Cheese: Moral and Ethical Issues in Teacher Education (Collaborating with Teachers tab) 

I chose this activity as my cheese because similar to TPE's although not entirely, it provides a foundation of teacher performance but contributes to function and system of classroom as a whole. If any of the following in this activity are inappropriately applied or managed it may create chaos. The article includes moral obligations from the teacher, training strategies, character formation, core values, moral professionalism, and other critical applications. Like a burger, the cheese is normally essential to become a full and well rounded burger. We as teachers must be well rounded not only in our knowledge about subject matter to be able to teach the students but we must be engaging with students, offering our help to them and not waiting for them to ask us for help, being professional, and many other obligations we have as teachers. 

Topping: Collaborating with Teachers

I chose Teacher Collaboration as my cheese ingredient to my burger because as the Teacher Collaboration: Spreading Best Practices School-Wide and Teacher Labs and Teacher Labs: Making Professional Development Collaborative video films showcase, getting multiple perspectives, support, observation analysis, tips and tricks only aids in the improvement and growth of the teachers. When looking at the clips I thought the collaboration between the teachers was valuable because it provides the host teacher to learn from others by improving specific strategies, realizing how their instruction is being received as an audience or student and even helps the teachers observing the classrooms as well! In the clip I saw that one of the teachers asked the host teacher about "the red light strategy" and even though the teacher observing the classroom may not be aware of this strategy it could be something she is interested in implementing in her own classrooms! Everything is about team building and supporting students effectively and because we can gain lots of insight, opinions, and perspectives from doing this it reminds me of the burger toppings because you can also have as many toppings as you want and in the end creates a delicious burger with lots of flavor. It is still your burger and classroom but the add ons and opinions are contributing to the overall learning experience in a positive way.

Condiments: Teacher Bias' 

The reason I chose Teacher Bias' as the condiments ingredient to the burger is by referring to the TED Talk video, The science of your racist brain and Ways Teachers can Reduce Implicit Bias articles. One may never know what the teacher bias is from one teacher compared to the other teacher which makes me think that there are so many teacher bias' out there. Like a hamburger, there are many condiments people may choose to put on their burger (ranch, ketchup, hot sauce, secret sauce, homemade, mustard, mayo, etc.) and just like teacher bias', we may be aware of the bias but it may not be a good idea to drench the burger in a sauce because it will ruin the entire flavor itself. Being aware of the bias is one thing but one may never act on them, instead we must reduce implicit bias'. - Brenda

The condiments would be the information on Moral and ethical standards for teachers and the topping would be the list in that reading of teacher ethical and moral responsibilities.

-KK

I would consider California Teacher Expectations the burger/patty part as it is the core and soul of the burger. The videos and the readings explained the most crucial part of the teaching which is the performance expectations of the educators. Without the roadmap and infrastructure of the teacher’s expectations and standards, the teachers will not be able to produce quality work and manage classroom effectively.

The training on being a mandated reporter would be considered as the cheese on the burger. When I order my burger, cheese is a must have on my burger. Cheese is also attached to the meat once cooked and it is inseparable. Mandated reporter training and knowledge is a requirement when working with minor students. It is important to be able to observe and report potential harms to the students.

Collaborating with teacher colleagues is like the toppings on the burgers. The toppings can be paired nicely with the burger. However, it sometimes is ok to have the burger without the toppings. Collaborating with other teachers can be one of the teaching strategies used in the classroom. The synergy created by collaborating with teacher colleagues is valuable and incredible. Just like adding the toppings to the burger can create and enhance learning experience for the learners.

Learning and understanding the teacher bias is like the condiments on the burger. We all have teacher bias consciously or unconsciously. However, we need to know how to be mindful of the students’ culture, background, and capabilities in order to avoid any unwanted bias towards to any students. Like the condiments on the burgers, we need to add carefully so it will not be loaded with excessive unwanted condiments like salt and ketchup.    

Bread: Collaborating with Teacher Colleagues 

In my experience, lessons run smoother when grade level teachers collaborate. Every teacher comes with different experiences and points of view that can be valuable when planning lessons. One teacher may have an idea, while another has experience on why it may not work or how to improve it. When teachers keep their good ideas to themselves and only implement them in their own classroom, so many students miss out on a great learning experience. I believe that teacher collaboration is the foundation of good education, which sandwiches everything else together. 

Burger: Teacher Performance Expectations 

The meat (or veggie patty ;)) is the essence of the burger. Without a patty, it would just be a regular sandwich. Meeting teacher performance expectations should be one of an educator's main priorities. When all are achieved, students are provided with the most equitable, comfortable learning environment possible. Also, when teachers are able to teach and assess appropriately, students learn more efficiently. 

Cheese: Teacher Bias 

The cheese is what tops the patty. Without recognizing your own bias and how to prevent it in the classroom, you will be unable to create an equitable classroom and meet all teacher performance expectations. It is important to learn where your bias lays in order to stop it when it occurs. 

Toppings: Child Abuse Reporting

Students cannot thrive when they do not feel safe. It is important for educators to know the signs of abuse and neglect in their students. Upon reason suspicion, all educators are required to report this. Some students do not have adults at home looking out for them. Teachers have the responsibility to be on the lookout for signs that their students are being harmed.

Condiments: FERPA 

Teachers should be fully aware of what they are allowed to teach and what they are not allowed to teach. Additionally, teachers should follow appropriate guidelines for communicating with students and families outside of school hours. By being aware of these regulations, teachers can be sure they are following the rules and keeping students as safe as possible. 

RP