Mini-ROL

Here is a link to my Mini-ROL.

Action Research Analysis Draft

Here is a link to the draft of my action research analysis.

Teacher Top Ten

Here are the top ten things I (probably) learned about myself as a result of the 2012-2013 school year.

1. The stress level in ones life is directly proportional to the number of children that person has.
2. Just because you've taught the same class more than once doesn't mean you have to teach it the same way every time.
3. Sometimes a class with more students in it is easier to teach than a class with fewer students.
4. Sometimes a class with fewer students in it is easier to teach than a class with more students.
5. Personal days are necessary.
6. Sick children are unnecessary.
7. Anyone that purchases a Casio graphing calculator should be required to read, and memorize, the manual before coming to me with questions.
8. The teacher-appreciation breakfast is my favorite Student Council activity of the year, but I already knew that before this year.
9. I'm glad I'm only a one-season coach, as I've seen many of my colleagues try to juggle coaching all three seasons and I just don't think I could do it.
10. Enrolling in a Masters program was an excellent decision.

Growth Mindset

Blog about a time when you adopted a growth mindset (maybe you chose it, or maybe it chose you) in order to turn a failure or difficulty into a learning experience.  In other words – when did you have to meet a challenge head on?

What did you learn from the experience?  If you could change something about the experience, would you?  What would you change or do differently if a similar situation were to arise?

Once instance in which I adopted a growth mindset was when I made the decision to enroll in the St. Mary's University M.Ed program.  I had been teaching since 2006, spending one year in a district, then getting cut, and finding a new position at a different district in 2007, where I still teach.  I didn't have any clue as to how one might find a suitable masters program.  What school should I select?  What program might be best for me, as there seem to be a myriad of choices flooding my email inbox?  I was firmly placed in a fixed mindset state because I felt as if there wasn't a way that I could move on from where I was..  It didn't help when my wife and I had two children within 18 months of each other.  The requirements of parenthood, teaching, and coaching left me in a position when I didn't think I would have the time, energy, or mental fortitude to find, let alone successfully complete, a masters program.

But then, something happened.  A colleague of mine started the program I am currently in at St. Mary's University.  Through his encouragement I came to realize that completing the program with my current life schedule might be difficult at times, but certainly not impossible.  Now that I have been in the program for a few months I am feeling even better about my decision.  I know that this course will have its fair share of requirements for my time and energy, but I have quickly come to realize that this process will be good for me and my career.  One occasion that exemplified this fact was when we as a group attended the spring conference of the students that are a year ahead of us in the program.  It was inspiring to hear from those learners what they gained from the program and it gave me some excitement for what the future holds for me.

Presently, as I am still going through the program, I do not have anything that I would change about the experience.  I have truly enjoyed the conversations and discussions I have had with our groups members and facilitators and I'm looking forward to continue to grow as an educator and an individual.

Growth Mindset

According to Carol Dweck, what is a “growth mindset” and why is it important? Do you agree with what Dweck is saying? To support your opinion you may use examples from your own experiences, your observations of others, and any of your reading.

You cannot believe that you are special, else you set yourself up for failure.  

Some people see intelligence as something fixed.  

Growth mindset is a way of thinking that you can grow and succeed regardless of how you start.  

Those that think they can change their own intelligence increased their success.  

Mindset is critical.

Have to realize that you are not chained to your current capabilities.  Must be willing to change how you perform.

Fixed mindset worry about how they are judged.

Growth mindset focus on how they are learning.

people with a fixed mindset give up more easily, withdraw, lose interest.  Is observed as a lack of motivation.

Growth mindset sees a failure as an opportunity to grow.  

How often do we praise kids for being smart or great at something?  This puts kids into a fixed mindset.  "if we win because we are a winner, then when we lose it must make us a loser"

How to instill a growth mindset
   Recognize that the growth mindset is supported by science.
   Learn and teach others about how to develop our abilities
   Listen for your fixed mindset voice, and when you hear it talk back with a growth mindset voice.  If you hear "I can't do it...." add "...yet."


Growth Mindset Prezi.

My Top Ten For 2012-2013

The top ten thing that I learned about myself over the past school year.

Backward Design

What are the features, examples and non-examples of UBD?

Stage 1: Enduring Understandings

Stage 2: Assessments

Stage 3: Instruction

Example:  Have a proactive, long-term goal.  Make it more likely that you are more goal focused.  Prepares you to think short term/long term.  Keep long term goals in view.  

Non-Example:  Short term goals with no long term planning.

How would you define UBD in six words or less?

Proactive, long-term goal influences instruction.

What do you see as benefits and challenges to this system?

Helps to make it more likely that you'll achieve your instructional goals.

An ever-changing process that takes constant attention.

In what ways has small and large group discourse enhanced your understanding of UBD?

Being able to discuss the UBD plan with members of my same discipline is a great way to get feedback and help clarifying what I'm working towards.

Working together to hone my list of enduring understandings.

What perplexing questions do you have about UBD?

What do you do when there are units that have an extensive list of vocabulary terms necessary for the enduring understandings?

How specific does one need to be when describing the necessary skills?

Are there units that are too big for this process to be successful?

Data Analysis

Essential Questions for Data Analysis:


What are the features of data analysis?

Reviewing data while it's being collected and trying to make sense of what you're      learning

Two Stages Of Data Analysis:
     Description - what did you see, what was happening?
     Sense making - how do the pieces fit together?  Organizing the key events/issues.

What are examples and non-examples of data analysis?
Examples:  Searching for trends and patters in the data.

Non-examples:  Jumping to conclusions without out data to support.  Preconceived notions.


What is your definition of data analysis in six words or less?

Search for patterns in data.

What is your plan for analyzing your raw data?

Organize my data in such a way that I can hopefully find connections and patterns.  I will also make sure that I go into the process with an open mind.
What challenges do you anticipate when analyzing your data?

Fighting the urge to come to conclusions prematurely.

What have you learned about data analysis from small and large group conversations?

This process takes time!

What are some of the questions that you have about data analysis?

Is there one method that is most effective, or do all methods have their own value?

Miniature Review of Literature

Here is a line to a PDF of my Mini-ROL.