by Kaci Cook

Make Your Mark and See Where It Takes You!

kcook10 — 2015-08-14 15:20:01 UTC

What does this story mean to you?

What's one thing you will do differently this year?

How will you encourage or promote students to make their mark?

Are we the distraction to student learning?

Thinking of your summer learning, how will it effect this year differently?

If we were having this discussion in three years, what evidence would we see that would let us know we were successful?

Let it Shine

2015-08-17 15:34:00 UTC

We will be creative and super happy this year. I want my kids to make their mark on everything in their own way. Watch out Rann here we come!!

New Chapter/Leonard

jami_leonard1 — 2015-08-17 15:36:34 UTC

This story means several different things for me at this time. I am very excited to start fresh with many new tools that we learned late in the year from Missy and the new things I learned from training as well. I am going to be more accepting to "try" and fail than to be too cautious. Our students need to see us take risks! I want to create an environment that encourages trying new things without hesitation.

Can't Wait!

McNiel

2015-08-17 15:40:38 UTC

This story reminds me of my main goal in music, which is to nurture creativity for all my students. Give them the seed they need to grow.

I will work to step out of my comfort zone more to encourage my students to have the courage to do the same.

By leading the way.

Sometimes we are a distraction, in my class, if I'm not embracing something, the kids will be hesitant to step out and embrace.

Happy, expressive kids.

Angela Wonders

aldbaker13 — 2015-08-17 15:41:48 UTC

I like to wonder why things are,why, why, why. I need reasons! Students question and sometimes they raise their hands and many times they don't. I will incorporate the questioning process even if it is off-topic.

Let Your Dot Shine

2015-08-17 15:43:13 UTC

Let Your

2015-08-17 15:43:14 UTC

Helping Hands!

sonay_holloway — 2015-08-17 15:48:05 UTC

We are all in this together

Make a mark even if it is only a stain!

2015-08-17 15:52:10 UTC

This story makes me think that with support and encouragement students/people are willing to take a chance. No one wants to fail and that is why most of us don't even try but if we show our students that the only true failure is never trying then they will be willing to give it a shot. Be that support/safety net for our students so they know you will always be there.

The Ball is in Your Court

2015-08-17 15:55:07 UTC

The fear of failure is something that we all struggle with, regardless of our ages. We all are more willing to take a chance/risk with encouragement and support. As teachers, it is crucial that we encourage our students to take those chances. Try new things Love all the kids!

I do think, we, as teachers are sometimes a distraction to our students' learning. We tend to be set in ways, and the students are in a different world than we were raised in.

My summer reading focused on the "student led" classroom. I plan on implementing this some this year. In doing so, I think this will allow student creativity to shine and empower student leadership.

G.G.

aldbaker13 — 2015-08-17 15:55:53 UTC

Smiling is contagious!

I set the climate for my classroom. Begin with a smile and end with a smile and don't take yourself too seriously.

Add picture then write!

kcook10 — 2015-08-17 15:57:18 UTC

This is the 3 hour dot that turned into an apple. Kids struggle to try due to the fear of failure. We must encourage them to put the pencil to paper and START! If we make mistakes we learn from them. But learning can't happen if we never start!

My Mark - Paty

2015-08-17 15:57:29 UTC

To me this story means that I need to let the world know my story. We need to use what we have to help create beautiful things.

Things done differently/Davis

2015-08-17 15:57:32 UTC

I find myself always doing things inside the box. This year, I plan on trying to do things for the better of my students even though it may though it may be out of my comfort zone.

2015-08-17 16:01:27 UTC

Life Lessons: Look, Listen, and Learn

2015-08-17 16:01:51 UTC

Fothergill

What a great story! Just shows that we can do anything

Unlock!!!!

julie_harris1 — 2015-08-17 16:02:11 UTC

Science lets us see the world in a new perspective!

2015-08-17 16:02:47 UTC

Important Dots

2015-08-17 16:03:11 UTC

We are all an important dot that makes up Rann Elementary and DISD. We are looking forward to a super year.

Keep on pushing and find your shine

2015-08-17 16:03:51 UTC

This story reminds me of how students don't always try because they have been told they can't do something, but this year 'll push those little bodies to try even if they think they can't. I will be more open to creativity within each student. I will encourage and support each student to keep on trying and step back and watch what they are capable of doing.

2015-08-17 16:03:57 UTC

Carmen

2015-08-17 16:04:17 UTC

One thing that I will do differently this year will be to make each student shine regardless of these differences. Together we will shoot for the stars!!!

I leave a MARK....

2015-08-17 16:04:20 UTC

One thing I will do differently this year is I will always make sure my students SPARKLE no matter what their level of learning. It's easy for the higher students to sparkle, but no as much for the others who may struggle a little more. Even something little deserves a SHINING spot. No one is the same! I will make sure that everyone shows a little SPARKLE this year!

Diaz

2015-08-17 16:05:03 UTC

Life Lesson:Look, Listen, and Learn.

Linder

2015-08-17 16:05:13 UTC

The story reminds me how important it isn to engourage students to begin and it gets easier.

jfitz1223 — 2015-08-17 16:05:46 UTC

Fothergill

2015-08-17 16:06:21 UTC

What a great story!!! This shows that we can do anything if we tried!!!

Wearing Different Hats By Citlaly Rivas

citlaly_rivas — 2015-08-17 16:09:01 UTC

As educators, we get to play different roles in our students' lives. We get to wear different hats, at times we are cheerleaders, inspirational speakers, data managers, coaches, detectives, or instructional facilitators.

The story shows us how important it is to take risks and encourage students to overcome their fears. I think one of the most important roles for us educators is to show students that they matter and that they are capable of doing things. Many times we overlook our role of beeing cheerleaders and focus more on collecting data and showing students where they went wrong. My goal this year is to be more encouraging and look at my students' attributes rather than their weaknesses.

Also, this year I will try to make a stronger bond with my students. I feel that is important for them to know more about me, but I will try to get them to know me during my instruction.

2015-08-17 16:09:04 UTC

2015-08-17 16:11:32 UTC

maria_carrillo — 2015-08-17 16:13:55 UTC

Maria's

julie_seibold — 2015-08-17 16:16:03 UTC

Julie

Great life lesson! Know your potential and go for it!!!

2015-08-17 16:17:10 UTC

2015-08-17 16:17:13 UTC

2015-08-17 16:17:45 UTC

BUST OUT!

Upcoming year

tammy_glennon — 2015-08-17 16:18:42 UTC

It's not about working harder, but thinking smarter. Engaging a child can be sparked by the simplest things

Kim Cooper

kcooper1206 — 2015-08-17 16:18:57 UTC

Fincher

2015-08-17 16:20:01 UTC

Each dot is different, just like our staff, and our students. This year, I will focus on helping my students love themselves for their differences. When they leave my classroom at the end of the year, they will know they are loved, and that they have their own dot/mark to make on the world!

jami_leonard1 — 2015-08-17 16:20:45 UTC

Diaz

LIfe Lesson: Look, Listen, and Learn.

This book let's me see that not everyone is the same and because of that we need to help each or our students shine. Students need to feel successful in the classroom to be able to shine like the sun.

tammy_glennon — 2015-08-17 16:26:59 UTC

Everyone is Bright

2015-08-17 16:27:49 UTC

This story reminds me that EVERYONE is bright, but sometimes we need help connecting the dots.

Upcoming year

tammy_glennon — 2015-08-17 16:41:29 UTC

It can be the smallest thing to spark an interest.

McCandless

2015-08-17 17:46:20 UTC

Shaw

2015-08-18 13:45:28 UTC