Today was the first day of Lunch Crunch. I was at Kennedy Elementary and blocked out two hours to "be available" to staff during their lunch hour (ha- hour?!). I chose a table that was near the back, but very visible in the room. As I mentioned in a previous post, I want to be available without being obtrusive.
It was very interesting to watch and listen. I learned a little about individual personalities and the dynamics of the grade level groups. Nothing bad at all, just interesting. After a while, and a comment from the principal, a few folks joined me. We talked about California, Minnesota, football, and technology. Simple requests for assistance were common. Apprehension about the LearnPad rollout was quelled. It was an easy way to ease into the established routines and lives of our outstanding educators. So what did I learn? Teachers are teachers. Here, there, and everywhere (a favorite Beatles tune I might add). The conversations, humor, and even the quiet sitting spells were all so familiar to me that for a moment, if I closed my eyes, I might have been back at Robert Semple, Joe Henderson, St. Katharine, or Laura MacArthur Elementary. These teachers are good folks - doing the very best with what they have to offer and with what they have been given. And it is good. Very good. At the same time, the teacher lunch hour (lol - I can't help but chuckle at that) looks and sounds different to each individual. Some teachers need the solace of their classroom to decompress and prepare for an afternoon of continued academic rigor. Others need time to socialize and nosh with one another. I totally understand that. As a classroom teacher, I preferred the quiet classroom to the teacher lounge. I needed that social break during the mid-point in my day. Now, as an Integration Specialist (IS), I look forward to lunch so that I can chat with folks and learn about them. It's interesting how things change depending on who you are, where you are, and what you do. So what's the point? Lunch Crunch isn't a perfect answer to informal meeting with teachers, but it is a good option. I know I will not meet with everyone at lunch time over the course of the year. I will, however, meet with many. From there, I will come to you (when the time is right) to discuss what I can do to help integrate meaningful technology in your classroom. Everyone needs to eat to fuel their body. Every student needs to succeed to fuel our community. Every teacher is responsible to deliver the greatest opportunities for student learning and success. Let technology help you out, and I'll be there to guide and support your journey. Come fuel up with me.
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Happy first day of school!
With the entirety of the 2014-15 school year ahead of us, this seems like the perfect time to calmly take a deep breath, set some goals, and... who am I kidding?! It's the first day of school! That blur of a day where procedures, policy, and pristine supplies and shoes reign supreme. The day that kept you up the night before with anticipation, anxiety, and excitement. The day when the student's face meets their name you wrote so neatly so many times. Today is about connecting. Connecting with your students, as you know, is essential for success. Finding out who each learner is, what you have in common, and what you can do for one another this year. Connections make our job doable and meaningful. Today we connect. I already miss connecting with my own students through classroom routines, procedures, and quirks. I miss their energy and excitement. I can feel it today through the open doors, smiling faces, and energetic conversations that have filled our formally summer-quiet halls and rooms. It is so alive - ripe for the picking. Today, on this first day, I want to begin connecting with you. Out of respect for your endless lists of to-dos, it may have been just a thumbs-up, handshake, wave, or nod of the head. Some folks had no idea I stopped by to see you reading to your students seated so attentively on the carpet. Others may have glimpsed me in the doorway for a moment before I moved on to see all the goodness happening in our schools. I don't want to be a creeper (standing ominously at your doorway and peaking around the corners), but I want to respect your process. I want to be unobtrusive... for now. We have a lot to accomplish this year (when don't we?!). There will always be new tasks asked of us. I get it. I feel it. It is my hope that you see value in the technology you will be provided this year. I hope that you get it. That you feel it. I hope that you are open and willing to try something new everyday. Rest assured - you will be trained. I want to be there in any way possible to support your growth as a tech-integrating teacher, life long learner, and guide for student learning. For the next couple weeks, I will be around. I intend to continue to walk the halls and be visible when I arrive at your school. If you see me, and the timing is right, invite me in. Introduce me to your students. I'd love to meet them. After that, I will likely be living in the Media Center engulfed in the LearnPad universe. Interrupt me. Introduce yourself (repeatedly, because there are so many names to learn). Ask me questions. For now, that is the plan. From there, we can springboard forward, because the foundation is being created right now. Make this the best year yet. You know I will. |
AuthorAndrew G. Leiser Archives
February 2016
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