The way we view the world, education, our classrooms, and the students and families we serve is often influenced by numerous factors including the beliefs, values, and assumptions we have developed through our experiences and environments. We may often be unaware of them, yet they are one of the primary drivers of our actions. During… Read More Meaningful Mindset Shifts for Teaching, Learning, and Community
Mindset Shifts: Building Balanced Partnerships
Intentionally shifting our mindset around shared decision-making can be scary, yet can also be empowering. Ensuring your team embraces the power of including different voices to make changes can wield truly innovative, sustainable shifts in the culture of your school. Inviting stakeholders, those who are truly representative of your community, to be active participants in… Read More Mindset Shifts: Building Balanced Partnerships
Mindset Shifts: Expanding our View of Acknowledgement
Taking an instructional approach towards behavior is critical when establishing supportive, consistent learning environments. However, while behavior specific praise is a powerful tool that helps to shape behavior in the classroom, viewing acknowledgement through a broader lens can truly transform classroom communities. Consider how simple and welcoming gestures can also serve as a supportive strategy… Read More Mindset Shifts: Expanding our View of Acknowledgement
Mindset Shifts: Teaching for the Classroom and Beyond
An instructional approach to supporting students’ behavioral change and social skill acquisition isn’t just about decreasing referrals and the rate of off-task behavior in the classroom. At all ages and developmental stages, teaching learners new or needed skills to navigate the educational environment can positively impact their academic achievement and lifetime social experiences. This week… Read More Mindset Shifts: Teaching for the Classroom and Beyond
Supporting Staff through Acknowledgment: Voice, Recognition, & Wellness
As educators, we know that students thrive in a safe, positive, nurturing learning environment. In the same way, it has become increasingly important to recognize that staff also thrive in a supportive community. Teacher retention is a critical problem facing education across our nation. Research clearly shows that a key factor in teachers staying or… Read More Supporting Staff through Acknowledgment: Voice, Recognition, & Wellness
Is Your Summer All “Booked” Up? What to Read to Prepare for a Successful School Year
The summer slam is upon us and with limited time and competing priorities, leaders often find themselves wondering how to select the most important topics to focus on when planning for a new year. In an effort to curate a few resources that align with the VDOE’s Special Education Roadmap and TTAC’s overall mission, we… Read More Is Your Summer All “Booked” Up? What to Read to Prepare for a Successful School Year
Reading For All Students
To get youth interested in reading we need to help them see that reading is fun. Here are a few suggestions to encourage reading in students of all ages and ability levels this summer. Read Aloud America (Summer Reading Program – Read Aloud America). Download a 5-week program full of reading suggestions and activities. Get… Read More Reading For All Students
Personalize Your Literacy Learning
Are you wondering how you can get a running start this summer on your personal professional learning as we are all gearing up for the official launch of the Virginia Literacy Act? Even though we know professional development is already built into division plans in relation to evidence-based literacy instruction and utilizing high quality instructional… Read More Personalize Your Literacy Learning
Embracing the Outdoors: Boosting Mental Health During ESY
In the last newsletter, I discussed mental health concerns for our students on the spectrum and provided free resources to support efforts in fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth in our school communities. An additional simple, yet effective, way to further boost mental wellbeing is by getting outside! With the more flexible schedule of… Read More Embracing the Outdoors: Boosting Mental Health During ESY
Unwind and Upgrade: Enjoy Summer Math Professional Learning from Anywhere
While relaxing and rejuvenating this summer, you can also learn mathematics strategies from wherever you are! Below are a few professional learning opportunities that you may want to explore. Summer Math Professional Learning Opportunities Amplify Desmos Math Free Courses Amplify Desmos offers several free on-demand courses. Course titles include: Course 1: Math Storytelling: The Wisdom… Read More Unwind and Upgrade: Enjoy Summer Math Professional Learning from Anywhere