2015 BLENDED LEARNING TEACHERS OF THE WEEK
Ms. Craven 1st Grade Teacher goes over with staff about the
importance of rules and procedures.
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HDES BL Spotlighted Teacher—Ms. Craven
Q. How long have you been teaching? This is my 16th year, having taught Pre-K, 1st & 2nd in 4 counties, all Title One schools.
Q. What grade do you teach at HDES? 1st
Q. What are you most looking forward to with teaching BL in your classroom? More one-on-one time with my students & establishing personalized learning
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching? It has enhanced how I view teaching.....Differentiated & thinking outside the box, to prepare students to become productive citizens. I love the idea that students are taking ownership of their learning, that it is individualized & personal to fit their needs.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why? Individualized.....Students are learning at their own pace as the teacher acts as a guiding force in the right direction. I like how students are treated as individuals in their ownership of learning because each student is different & we all do not learn the same way.
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| Ms. Hunter greeting students first thing in morning! She always has a great, positive attitude! |
HDES BL Spotlighted Teacher of the Week: Ms. Hunter
Q. How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching in North Carolina in the public school sector for three years. The 2015-2016 year is my fourth year and I really like teaching and learning new things.
Q. What grade do you teach?
I currently teach fourth grade and have taught fourth grade for the past three years. Fourth graders are a fun age, because most students are able to work together or independently on various task.
Q. How has your first week went with BL implementation?
My first week of blended learning implementation was a little hard. I use the word hard because just like my other co-workers, this is a new teaching model for me to implement. Currently, my greatest resources are the blended learning manual, videos, and other teachers. In the classroom this week, I modeled the three blended learning stations of Technology, Independent, and Teacher directed. My students did okay working in the stations, but I'm currently striving to decrease the noise level in the classroom and have quicker rotations from station to station. I know with continued practice, support from administration, and support from the literacy coach, the students and myself will see positive effects from blended learning over time.
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?
Initially, blended learning was completely new. I'm still learning new things about blended learning everyday; but I have started to change my thoughts about teaching because of student engagement. During the first week of school, students started station rotations and I was able to spend a short time at the teacher directed station with small groups of 6-8 students. In this station, I focused on the literacy skills for the week and key vocabulary. Eventually, I will connect this station with my guided reading. Even though a similar lesson was taught to each group in the teacher directed station, each group actually learned more information from the lesson in a small group. The constant rotation is definitely something new for me; but if the students are learning more, I'm all for it!
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why?
If I could describe blended learning in one word, I would say engaging. I really believe blended learning allows students to engage in different activities in smaller groups. Some stations require creating your work, others require writing, reading, or following procedural directions through technology. Using the blended learning model allows the teacher to expose students to many learning styles in a short time through smaller groups.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why? Anticipating. I believe that Blended Learning is going to help us at Hanford-Dole see the results that we know our students are capable of. Every staff member works very hard every day at Hanford-Dole and I feel that Blended Learning is going to be able to provide us with an avenue to guide our student's towards their future success.
HDES Blended Learning Spotlight Teacher of the Week:
Mrs. McNeil
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| Mrs. McNeil doing what she does best: Motivating Students! |
Q. How long have you been teaching? I have been in education for 13 years. However, this is only my 2nd year as a certified classroom teacher.Q. What grade do you teach? I enthusiastically teach 3rd grade.Q. How has your first 2 weeks went with BL implementation? My first two weeks in blended learning was a challenge because we did not have our own iPads (3rd grade deployment will come at a later date). So it forced me to become creative and resourceful. I shared my teacher iPad with the students so they could become familiar with the QR scanner. We completed formative assessments using Plickers, and took brain breaks with Go Noodle. We quickly learned to log into the desktops for independent practice and my promethean board was a collaborative center for student use. Best of all, we made the most out of our time in the computer lab. In just two short weeks we sent multiple emails, completed assignments on Spelling City, and practiced math using Ten Marks.Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching? Like all instructors, I want every child to see growth and success. This challenge looks like a giant when we look up to it from the ground. But blended learning empowers our students and raises them up to help us face that giant eye to eye. As each student or small group works on their instructional level they achieve daily success. Therefore they achieve daily growth.Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why? Enriching. Blended learning enriches / enhances the quality of education that we provide to our students. It truly is working smarter and not harder to accomplish our SMART goals.
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| Mrs. Coble on far left poses with her K team |
BL SPOTLIGHT TEACHER OF THE WEEK: MRS. COBLE
Q. How long have you been teaching? I have been teaching for 17 years.
Q. What grade do you teach? I have taught kindergarten for 4 years.
Q. How has your first month went with BL implementation? My first month with blended learning has totally changed my teaching. I love the groups and how I can meet the needs of students in a smaller group setting.
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching? Blended Learning has kind of made me say "duh! Why didn't we think about this before?" I am in love with how my classroom operates with blended learning.
BL SPOTLIGHT T.O.W. MRS. OVERCASH
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Mrs. Overcash does an amazing job with her class on a daily basis!
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Q. How long have you been teaching?
I’ve been in education for 11 years. I taught 3rd grade for 7 years and 2nd grade for 4 years.
Q. What grade do you teach?
2nd grade
Q. How has your first month went with BL implementation?
At first it was challenging for students to work in a small group and to rotate to various stations. It continues to be a challenge, but each day as we practice it also gets a little easier. With the help of a timer, clear expectations and numbered stations, students have learned how to work in small groups and to rotate to their stations.
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?
In student teaching, I was trained to use whole group instruction. Now with Blended Learning, I’m able to provide individualized instruction for all students.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why?
The word that I would use is differentiation because each station is differentiated during Blended Learning for each student to be successful.
Q. How long have you been teaching?
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| Ms. Rossi on right with Ms. Schultz are model teachers for Blended Learning! |
BLENDED LEARNING TEACHER OF THE WEEK--MS. ROSSI
Q. How long have you been teaching?
This is my first year teaching!
Q. What grade do you teach?
I teach fifth grade math and reading.
Q. How has your first month of your first year went with BL implementation?
My first month has been so exciting with blended learning. I am able to easily meet the needs of all my students through differentiated programs and small group instruction. Without having Achieve3000 and DreamBox for the first month, we supplemented with Khan Academy and Newsela. Students are loving these programs and are eager to learn.
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?
Blended learning has really enhanced my teaching. I love how my day operates and how personalized I am able to make my lessons. Seeing the excitement my students have each time they get on these programs makes me incredibly happy. Students ask at all times to get on Khan Academy and Newsela (even during recess)! This gets me so excited that students are eager to learn and get the results we all know they are capable of.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why?
Successful. It helps students get excited about learning and it encourages them to want to learn outside out of lesson time. Overall, with these new programs being on each student’s level and personalized, it has allowed me to become a more effective teacher.
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| Our teacher of the year Coach V is changing the way Physical Education is being taught in schools! She is a trailblazer! |
HDES BLENDED LEARNING TEACHER OF THE WEEK: COACH V
Q. How long have you been teaching?
This is my 5th year of teaching.
Q. What grade/subject do you teach?
I teach PE and I get to see all of them from Kindergarten to 5th grade.
Q. How has BL implementation been going in PE?
My first month with blended learning has been great. Station activities are something I love to do in PE. They help me meet the needs of all my students.
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?
I feel like blended learning has made teaching easier for me.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why?
Personalizing. The ultimate goal of blending learning is to truly personalize the learning experience, ensuring every student receives the needs that work for them.
HDES BLENDED LEARNING T.O.W.
MS. ETHERIDGE
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| Ms. Etheridge is always full of great energy and is passionate about helping students! |
Q. How long have you been teaching?
3 years
Q. What grade do you teach?
First grade! :)
Q. How has your 2 months been with BL implementation?
It’s always difficult to adjust your teaching practices but the blended learning model and support from colleagues made this easy to implement. Once I got the hang of the three station rotations and was able to level my groups, my classroom transformed. Having only three centers cut my planning time in half and allowed me to differentiate instruction for each group. Every student is working on their personal level in the independent center on Smarty ants as well as in their guided reading group with me. The group center allows for shared learning and collaboration.
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?
Blended learning has helped me teach and read with every student, in a small group setting, everyday. I can also practice a more gradual release model. I start by introducing a concept in my guided reading and the next day the students will practice that content or skill in their group center. I have also been able to integrate technology into all the centers to keep my students engaged. I also have a more accurate report of what my students can do independently through my weekly Smarty Ants report and am now able to adjust their instruction accordingly.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why?
Differentiated!
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| Ms. Joyner has soared with BL implementation this year! |
BL TEACHER OF THE WEEK
MS. JOYNER
Q. How long have you been teaching?
This is my fifth year of teaching. I taught two years at a private Montessori school and this is my third year of teaching public school.
Q. What grade do you teach? 2nd grade
Q. How has your first quarter went with BL implementation?
My first quarter with blended learning has gotten off to a great start. We continue to learn and make changes as we go. My students are disappointed if they do not have their daily rotations.
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?
Blended learning has transformed the way that I teach. It has enabled me to become the type of educator I've always wanted to be and I'm excited every day about being able to differentiate and meet the needs of each student.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why? BALANCED. Blended learning encompasses all the elements needed the to support each student's success.
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| Mrs. Moore with her Bobcat teammates at Back 2 School Pep Rally. Mrs. Moore always has a great attitude! |
BL TEACHER OF THE WEEK
MRS. MOORE
Q. How long have you been teaching? This is my tenth year teaching, all at Hanford Dole.Q. What grade do you teach? I currently teach 3rd grade but have also taught 4th and 2nd.Q. How has your first quarter went with BL implementation? It has gone remarkably well! I feel like we have implemented the rotation model successfully including technology, teacher-led, and independent centers. Recently, we have begun using music to dictate our transition times which has been a huge success as well!Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching? Before blended learning, I always wanted more time to spend with my students. I felt like I could not see them in small groups enough as I spent so much of my time doing more direct instruction. Now that we rotate and I am spending my time with a small group of students, I feel like I can more effectively meet their needs. It is a more manageable opportunity!Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why? Flexible- Teachers have to be flexible in their groupings. They also need to be flexible in the content/lessons that students are learning. Especially in the independent center, students should be working on practicing skills relevant to their needs, abilities, and interests. Blended Learning allows for educators to be more flexible in teaching more of their students exactly what each student needs!
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| Mrs. Messenger(left) and Mrs. Crump(right) bring great, engaging music and art lessons to HDES students! |
BLENDED LEARNING TEACHER OF THE WEEK :
MRS. MESSENGER
Q. How long have you been teaching?
This is my 6th year teaching.
Q. What grade or subject do you teach?
I teach K-5 music.
Q. How has your first quarter went with BL implementation?
My first quarter of BL has been fun and the students have loved it! Students love rotating to different areas of the classroom learning about various concepts of music and at the same time, it meets the needs of all students. It's a WIN WIN!
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?
Seeing my students get excited about BL makes me excited as well. It gives me the opportunity to walk around the classroom and observe student learning while it also gives students some responsibility in the classroom with independent stations.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why?
Engaging. Students are working together with their classmates in small groups, moving around to rotate, learning music concepts in different ways. BL keeps their minds going at all times and when the students are hooked and interested, they're engaged.
BL TEACHER OF THE WEEK
MS. PIROZZOLO
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| Ms. P on left with her CCAC students on scavenger hunt! Ms.P is transforming high needs special education classes with her blended learning station rotation model implementation! |
Q. How long have you been teaching?
This is my 4th year of teaching.
Q. What grade or subject do you teach?
CCAC K-5
Q. How has your first quarter and part of the 2nd went with BL implementation?
My first quarter and part of 2nd quarter has gone very well! While I have tweaked some of the components of blended learning to fit my students' needs, it has been a great change in my classroom! Students have gotten the station rotations down and are enjoying the smaller groups! The technology programs such as Smarty Ants have been fantastic for my students as well!
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?
Blended learning has changed my thoughts of meeting the needs of all my students. It has given me the tools to really differentiate my instruction on another level while fostering more independence for my students. With such a variety of grade levels and ability levels in my room, blended learning has been the answer to really meet the needs of ALL my students.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why?
Differentiated. My students follow an adapted curriculum and have different standards than that of their same aged peers. With that being said, I've been able to implement blended learning techniques and procedures into my classroom on a level that is appropriate for my students and has helped me reach their individual needs more successfully!
BLENDED LEARNING TEACHER OF THE WEEK
MRS. WEDDINGTON
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| Mrs. Weddington sharing with her 3rd grade students. She always brings a great attitude to work. This is her 40th year! |
Q. How long have you been teaching? This is my 40th year of teaching.
Q. What grade do you teach or have taught? I teach 3rd grade, which I truly love. My class is wonderful! My experience encompasses all elementary grades, as well as several years as a media specialist.
Q. How has your first quarter and a half went with BL implementation? I was apprehensive at first and not quite certain about the outcome. I had always felt that whole-group teaching kept me in control. Now that I feel more comfortable, I have truly changed my style of teaching. I have been able to let go and be more of a facilitator.
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching? I feel more confident in taking risks outside my comfort zone. The technology component has changed my entire style of teaching. If someone had asked me about paperless teaching a year ago, I wouldn't believe it could be done. My opinion has definitely changed, and I am now ready to convince other non-believers.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why? Self-Reinvention I have taken a good look at the way I taught in the past and am now convinced that BL is a positive change.
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| 2nd Grade Teacher Mrs. Gilland |
BLENDED LEARNING TEACHER OF THE WEEK:
MRS. GILLAND
Q. How long have you been teaching?
I am in my 27th year of teaching! :-)
Q. What grade do you teach?
I presently teach 2nd Grade.
Q. How has your BL implementation been going?
I have been excited about Blended Learning! The children have been kept busy, busy, busy with lots of learning and lots of practice with reading comprehension and response, writing, spelling and grammar, Math, Smarty Ants, and Dreambox! I love that I get to meet with each small group of students and work with them more closely, every day, getting to know them and assisting them at “sharpening” their individual skills. Honestly, in the past, I don’t feel like I ever met with the studentsand understood their needs as much as I have this year. Students are becoming more independent and accountable. I give Blended Learning a huge “thumbs up”!
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?
I really do enjoy teaching more this year because I do feel like I’ve not only gotten to know the students better, I feel like I’m making more of an impact with what I do with the students. Students keep very active through rotations, I set high expectations for students and expect students to set attainable goals for self- improvement. The students and I both are excited when we meet our goals!
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why?
Awesome! -because it’s been one of the things that HDES has implemented that I think is making a huge difference in the way that our students think and learn as well as a great difference in the way that I plan and teach!
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| Mrs. Daye lower picture is a master teacher and one of the best in the business! |
BL T.OW. MRS. DAYE
Q. How long have you been teaching? This is my 21st year in the public schools.
Q. What grade do you teach?
4th grade
Q. How has your first half of the school year gone with BL implementation?
At first, I wasn't sure how the rotation model would work. After really sticking with the rotations and making minor adjustments here and there, it has been a fantastic experience. The planning is much easier than I imagined, especially with DreamBox and Achieve 3000.
Q. How has BL changed your thoughts about teaching?
I've been teaching off and on since 1985, and for the first time in my teaching career, I feel like I am truly reaching every child in my class, every day. I'm more in tune with each student's individual needs, whether it is enrichment or intervention. As an AIG teacher, this makes the homeroom model so much easier to implement because whether a student has weaknesses or needs more advanced curriculum, I can provide that daily.
Q. If you had one word to describe BL what would say and why?
Innovative. Allowing students the freedom to use technology, move around during instruction and collaborate with their peers has transformed the educational environment in my classroom without making me feel like I've had to work overtime to make the change happen. I think we are implementing a cutting edge best practice. In a word, I love it!
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