November 2015 Teacher Newsletter
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Fishman Prize and Other November Happenings
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Apply for the 2016 Fishman Prize
Apply or Nominate a Colleague for the 2016 Fishman Prize (Nov. 24). The New Teacher Project’s (TNTP) Fishman Prize honors amazing teachers in high-need, Title I eligible schools with $25,000 and a one-of-a-kind summer residency. Finalists will receive $1,000 and national recognition. The first application deadline is Nov. 24.
In Case You Missed It
Classroom Spotlight: Shani Benson – “Rodel Teacher Council member Shani Benson first introduced me to Flocabulary–sort of a “Schoolhouse Rock!” for the modern era–when we rocked out to “Three Branches of Government” during a visit to Shani’s class at South Dover Elementary School last week. When the video came on during the class’s afternoon snack time, third graders jumped to their feet to start singing the lyrics and dancing to the music…”
 Classroom Spotlight: Tim Brewer – “Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a fly on the wall while a teacher explained the concept of “spaghettification” to a class full of teenagers, half of whom were listening raptly and the other half of whom were exploding with further questions? I got that chance a few weeks ago when I sat in on Rodel Teacher Council member Tim Brewer’s science classes at St. Georges High School…”  Striving for Social-Emotional Success, by Michelle Wilson – “…I spend a great deal of time teaching children how to reflect on a social situation. More importantly I show my students how to understand their role in a situation, so they can communicate their feelings and better understand the other individual’s role. Adults tend to step in and take over when children behave inappropriately in social situations, so the kids often miss the opportunity to handle conflicts on their own…”  Delaware’s BRINC Districts Collaborate to Personalize Learning for All Students – U.S. Department of Education features work underway by teachers in BRINC districts (including Rodel Teacher Council members Tim Brewer and Tara Saladyga!), blending online and in-person instruction to engage students and increase college and career readiness.
 Mark Your Calendars
Wilmington Education Improvement Commission Meetings (Nov. 17, Wilmington, DE). Learn about upcoming commission meetings, committee meetings, and other opportunities to get involved, online. STEM Learning Center: idea2impact (Nov. 18, Wilmington, DE). Mount Pleasant High School is hosting STEM Learning Center: idea2impact, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Nov. 18. The school’s event will showcase their engineering and computer programs and after-school STEM enrichment programs. Register or check out other Delaware Innovation Week events taking place Nov. 13 to 21.
 St. Georges Family “How to” Day (Nov. 21, Middletown, DE). St. Georges Technical High School is hosting its 3rd Annual Family How to Day, offering FREE hands-on classes taught by St. Georges’ instructors and students. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21. Register.
P-K-1st Stronger Together Conference (Dec. 5, Dover, DE). The 2015 P-K-1st Stronger Together Conference will take place Dec. 5, in Dover, DE. This conference offers preschool, kindergarten, and first grade teachers, support staff and administrators an opportunity to gather as a professional team, learn from each other, and celebrate collective work. This conference will give participants the opportunity to gather additional ideas, strategies, and tools to utilize in helping students ages three to eight grow and learn. The conference will have seperate tracks for teachers, administrators, and support staff, and is seeking workshops with deep content for a practice-rich focus. Register.  RELAY GSE Workshop – Engaging Everybody (Dec. 7, Wilmington, DE). RELAY GSE is hosting a FREE workshop Dec. 7th, for teachers, coaches of teachers, and student engagement nerds. In this workshop learn specific strategies for engaging students in the learning experience in your classrooms. Register.
Personalized Learning Tip of the Month
Sign-up for Hour of Code – This online event will take kick-off Dec. 7. The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180-plus countries. Anyone can organize an Hour of Code event. One-hour tutorials are available in over 40 languages. No experience needed. Ages four to 104. Read about Michele Johnson’s experience.  |
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