Monday Points: March 18, 2013

Wow what a week last week was! HSPE 2013 is now behind us, and this week we are back to mostly regular routines. WELPA testing for ELL, and Career Cruising are ahead for us this week…

Celebration Points:

HSPE! We had great attendance by students this week to test for state proficiency. And the test was taken with all due seriousness by the students, and long days put in by our staff. Kids and staff, both, you did great things this week. At New Start we finished with our Brag Day Assembly, and a Pizza Party for Test Takers who completed. Testing dominated our busy week and our bell schedule, but Friday at Salmon Creek students and staff together let out a loud, collective “Whew!” and “We did it!” Thank you all for a great week.

Instructional Point:

This Friday at PCT we will learn and explore Domain 4 (Professional Responsibilities) of the Charlotte Danielson Instructional Framework.  Through skills in Domain 4, teachers can demonstrate their commitment to high ethical and professional standard while improving their practice. The components of Domain 4 Professional Responsibilities encompass the range of teacher professionalism. Here is an overview of the six components,

In 4A, “Reflecting on teaching”, critical reflection allows, teachers to assess the effectiveness of their work, and take steps to improve it. In 4B, “Maintaining accurate records” the mark of a truly expert teacher is one who has made record keeping a procedure that does not require much extra effort.

Educators have long recognized that when they enlist the participation of students’ families in the education process, student learning is enhanced, hence component 4C, “Communicating with Families”. In 4D, by “Participating in a professional community”, we find that our colleagues are a rich resource to teaching improvement.

Component 4E contends that teachers committed to attaining and remaining at the top of their profession.  They invest much energy in staying informed and increasing their skills. “Growing and developing” teachers, are then in a position to exercise leadership among their colleagues. “Showing Professionalism” is component 4F and is described as “an elusive concept that permeates all aspects of a teacher’s work”. Expert teachers display the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct; they are intellectually honest and conduct themselves in ways consistent with a comprehensive moral code.  

We’ll see you Friday at Salmon Creek for our third PCT in a series exploring the Charlotte Danielson Instructional Framework.  PCT Friday, March 22, 1:00 at Salmon Creek. Math Room.

Mike’s Schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
March 18	March 19	March 20	March 21	March 22
Weekly Letter Observations Career Cruising Advisory In Classrooms M/Julie Hunter (MRHS)	Observations Observation Writing Principals Meeting Lead Teacher Literacy Meeting	Woodside Staffing Meetings Home School Planning CHOICE Staff Meeting PCT Prep CHOICE PSO Meeting (Evening)	M/Seniors M/JWG Program Monitors Teacher Recruiting (Tacoma Dome) Weekly Counselor Meeting	M/King County Summer Project Planning Weekly Admin Meeting World Languages Meeting Conduct PCT

Again, great job to everyone who had a role in HSPE and making testing such a positive experience for our students last week. We are now moving well into March. Wednesday is the first day of spring! Best to our WELPA Testers Tuesday, and please have another wonderful week.

Mike