Blog Retired – New Pathways for PL&D Evidence

 

This blog has now been retired and is no longer being updated. Alternative methods will be used to record and share evidence of professional learning and development. 

Thank you for following along up to this point.

Seesaw Refresher (2023)

I would like to start by thanking Seesaw for their continued work to develop this amazing learning platform where students can create, reflect, share, and collaborate.

Here is my thoughts after completing this year's refresher course. 

The 5 classroom needs that Seesaw provide to support my teaching and students' learning already are:

1. Instruction
2. Family Engagement
3. Digital Portfolio
4. Assessment
5. Accessible and Differentiated Learning

Seesaw is now taking it even further with a Formative Assessment Expansion where you can choose between two flexible assessment modes: practice mode and assessment mode. Real time feedback can be given in the practice mode! Teachers will be equipped with live student response data that enables responsive instruction and differentiation. 

I love that a teacher will be able to: 

• View students grouped by correct, incorrect and no response
• Check the number of attempts a student made to get the correct answer
• Uncover misconceptions by clicking into student responses

Another exciting addition is Infinite Cloning, which will allow the making of multiple copies of the object just by dragging one from the stack.

With the New Assign Flow, managing assigned activities in Seesaw will get easier! I like that due dates can now be added when scheduling activities. Another plus is that you can enable an Automatically archive activity option after due date.

Using the Present to Class button, whole class instruction will come to life on Seesaw. Present multimodal inputs on activities and lessons (like video, interactive texts, curated online artifacts, teacher modeling, and more). Presenting Seesaw activities to the whole class will be my new go-to tool for high-quality instruction!

I love and have already been using the new Scheduled Messages option. It is a real life and time saver!

Thank you Seesaw, I  am really excited about the new features!

The last 'task' to be completed in the course was to Connect with other Seesawers from around the world. This Seesaw status is to be shared on my favorite social media platforms to spark conversation.

As I would like to chat about Structured Literacy, Maths and Learner Agency, you are more than welcome to have a look at my Seesaw Activities that I created (especially for SL and Maths) and shared in the Community Library... 

https://app.seesaw.me/activities/profile/lhrlzz/marnel-van-der-spuy

~ Tama tu tama ora, tama noho tama mate - An active person will remain healthy while a lazy one will become sick. - Māori whakatauki (proverb) ~

 

Connect 2023!

I am so excited to be attending a virtual conference called Connect 2023 again this year that I completed my registration already on 7 June! It’s brought on by educators around the world to ignite inspiration, foster growth, and energize educators for the school year. There are going to be amazing keynote speakers, including Dave Burgess! The most exciting part is that it’s FREE and starts on 8 August. I would highly recommend you join this if you can! love for you to join me. It's going to be amazing to get ideas.

~ Nā to rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi - With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive. - Māori whakatauki (proverb) ~

Seesaw Paid Partnership Opportunity

 What an honour and HUGE surprise! 

~ Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini - My success should not be bestowed onto me alone, as it was not individual success but success of a collective. - Māori whakatauki (proverb) ~

We are so grateful for you!

Nice to receive little messages from Seesaw!

"Seesaw acknowledges all your hard work and admires your dedication! We know educators juggle many roles, but there is no one more perfect for the job than you. You’re making a difference every single day by positively impacting the lives of your students.

Thank you for all that you do and inspiring the young minds of the future!"

Seesaw Refresher (2022)

Just completed the Seesaw Refresh Course for 2022. So excited about all the features, especially student groups and messages!

I am [also] really excited about how my school uses Seesaw for Real Time Reporting to parents and the role that I am playing to make it happen!

~ "By doing what you LOVE, you INSPIRE and awaken the hearts of others". - Unknown ~ 

Try something new

 I recently came across this article saying that 'New research shows controversial Reading Recovery program eventually had a negative impact on children'.

As a trained reading recovery teacher [some years ago], I found this article very interesting and agree with many of the points raised.

As a reading recovery teacher many years ago, I kept track of the students I've had the privilege to 'help' and experienced first hand that those students who were with me for Reading Recovery did not receive any further support after being discontinued. Teachers in second grade also did not support these students' reading journey further and let them 'fall back' into the system and a "normal'' reading program. As a result, many of these students did indeed lose their gains, which was really disheartening to see. 

I am not involved in Reading Recovery any longer and have moved away from the "normal" reading program. My focus at present is on Structured Literacy and I can really see the advantage of this program - above any other that I came across thus far. I also use a book from Heggerty every day in a whole class setting. I notice that these sessions are great for introducing and reinforcing vital concepts relating to Structured Literacy.

In using Heggerty and Little Learners Love Literacy during my Structured Literacy program, I’ve managed to accomplish a huge gain in confidence and mana for my students. This program is so rewarding - for me and more importantly for students!

If I had any say in education, I would be an advocate for and encourage every teacher to use Structured Literacy as it is explicit, systematic teaching and follows a sequential order of skill introduction.

Maybe you are the change agent in your school, and ready to take that next step...

~ "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it." - J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan) ~

This Way... That Way

A lovely way to start the new school year... with a coffee shout by the Principal on our TOD! 

I'm very excited with our revised Curriculum and the launch of it today! Information is set out in a logical and easy to use way. Our Curriculum is the stepping stones of what we do at our school.

With the current 'situation' world wide, it is clear that a normal school day and how we know it, is gone. We have to maximise impact for our students every day. Our teaching is now adaptable, to enable us to reach all students. The main thing is that we still enjoy teaching and forge [even stronger] professional relationships with our students, whilst allowing them to have fun with their learning experiences. On top of that, we need to look after ourselves and find something that makes us smile every day.

We will also be utilising Seesaw fully this year, to strengthen our school-home relationships. As I have the key role of ICT/Digital Technology Curriculum Manager, I have already ran one PD session towards the end of last year (2021) and also on our TOD to support with implementing this. Sessions to support will continue throughout and as needed.

Here are and example of two posters I created that has been shared with our school community. 

This year will also see me implementing 'Structured Literacy' in class. A new concept for me (therefore, this will be the focus of my Professional Growth Cycle), but I am very excited about the elements of such instruction. Here's my class display...

~ "Our focus is not dwelling on the past, but focusing on the future. The influence you will have looking forward, stepping stones to success for our tamariki." - Our school 'slogan' for 2022 ~

The end is often the beginning

This year was a transitional time for me.

I started teaching at a new school and had the privilege to make connections with some amazing people.

Therefore, I was able to deepen relationships that supports me, and to recommit to good habits. I learned new ways of doing things and to stretch my point of view.

In my classroom, I have had the privilege of seeing and experiencing how my five and six year old students developed into confident learners.

As this school year comes to an end, I can attest that it was a wonderful 'journey', an 'annus mirabilis' in many ways. I am so incredibly blessed to [now] have a wonderful job, where everyone's well-being is at the forefront. 

If testing times (especially during 2017 - 2020, so not just an 'annus horribilis', but 'horribilis annos'!) taught me anything, it would be this...

~ "Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us" ~ Hal Borland

Seesaw Certified Educator

Great feeling to be [now] recognised as a Seesaw Certified Educator! 

Seesaw is an amazing platform to help with inspiring students to be their best and to deepen learning. I love that I can be part of the Seesaw joy and goodness.

End of an 'era'

Have you ever taken a step 'backwards' in your career to consciously chase more balance in your life and to be able to do things that will make you happy and not doing things, trying to please or appease others? 

Well... I have and therefore officially resigned from my position [4 December 2020] at the school where I have had various roles and responsibilities for 12 years! I just couldn't go with the 'flow' any longer and a lot of things that I saw broke my heart, but fixed my vision.

I have decided to stop saying yes to people and situations that don't support my well-being. Instead, I decided to say yes to my happiness, and yes to my growth, and yes to all the people and things that inspired me to be authentic and whole, while at the same time accepting me just as I am.

This was my message to the community...

Today, I also noted [some] of my original work (below with my name next to it) published under some other staff member's name...

The following has been copied and published under the person's name who started with a 'S'. I took the rest of the name out...

If you [for whatever reason] read this post, I just want to let you know that 'your poster' which is my work, recycled, is plagiarism. Sadly some education 'leaders' need to reflect on what it means to ask permission and give credit. You've left a bad taste in my mouth and I'm glad I no longer associate with you. 

No one does any work in our field for anything other than the children and communities we serve (which is a privilege), but passing off someone else’s work as your own and sharing it with no credit to the original source as your own idea is just sad.

I'm honestly happy to say this is the end to an 'era' for me at this school and I leave with the following...

Quitting is for winners.

"Contrary to popular opinion, quitting is for winners.

Knowing when to quit, change direction, leave a toxic situation, 

demand more from life, give up on something that isn't working

and move on, is a very important skill that people who win at life

all seem to have.

But don't quit because it's hard.

Quit because it sucks."

(Source: Unknown)

Change is in the air...

Today all came to a full circle. I finally decided to make a decision on what will be best for myself from here onwards... therefore, I can relate to this Poem in so many ways.

"She sat at the back and they said she was shy,

She led from the front and they hated her pride,

They asked her advice and then questioned her guidance,

They branded her loud, then were shocked by her silence,

When she shared no ambition they said it was sad,

So she told them her dreams and they said she was mad,

They told her they'd listen, then covered their ears,

And gave her a hug while they laughed at her fears,

And she listened to all of it thinking she should,

Be the girl they told her to be best as she could,

But one day she asked what was best for herself,

Instead of trying to please everyone else,

So she walked to the forest and stood with the trees,

She heard the wind whisper and dance with the leaves,

She spoke to the willow, the elm and the pine,

And she told them what she'd been told time after time,

She told them she felt she was never enough,

She was either too little or far far too much,

Too loud or too quiet, too fierce or too weak,

Too wise or too foolish, too bold or too meek,

Then she found a small clearing surrounded by firs,

And she stopped...and she heard what the trees said to her,

And she sat there for hours not wanting to leave,

For the forest said nothing, it just let her breathe."

~ Author : Becky Hemsley - Talking to the Wild ~

Thank you, teacher

Lovely to be receiving this during Lockdown: Alert Level 3 - Day 10! Thank you so much @AppleEDU!

We appreciate you today and every day. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students and in our communities.

We made this video to celebrate you

Apple Education

Distance Learning - T.O.D. Week 3 (Term 2, 2020)

Lockdown: Alert Level 3 - Day 1

We had our T.O.D. this morning through Zoom. We also reflected on the last two weeks' online learning and looked at [some] next steps.

Our school is very fortunate to have no students attending on-site classes from Wednesday 29 April to Monday 11 May 2020.

We will therefore continue to drive online learning for our students over the next two weeks. 

~ "Teachers are the guardians of spaces that allow students to breathe and be curious and explore the world and be who they are without suffocation." - Brené Brown ~

Distance Learning - End of Week 2 (Term 2, 2020)

Lockdown: Alert Level 4 - Day 30

Another week of online learning done and dusted. I've truly settled in and enjoy this new routine of living and working from home! However, I do miss the students and am thankful that we have technology to stay in touch... 

Students have been showing great engagement in their learning activities. Just loving some of the 'How are you feeling' responses I received from the 5 year old's during the week!

~ "What we know matters, but who we are matters more." - Brené Brown ~

Distance Learning - First Day (Term 2, 2020)

Our Distance Learning ('Home Learning') started today... first day of Term 2, 2020! I sent my students a little message yesterday... and really enjoyed listening to all their responses! They were all heartwarming and made me smile.

I feel very so proud of the way they handled their online learning activities today! Using devices in class definitely helped, so this 'experience' was nothing new to them... I am sure that they will ace their learning during this COVID-19 time.

~ “It’s not about ‘what can I accomplish?’ but ‘what do I want to accomplish?’  Paradigm shift.” 

- Brené Brown ~

Term 1 - An abrupt stop

Term 1 came to an abrupt stop two weeks earlier due to COVID-19. On Monday 23 March, we will still at school, when towards the end of day we learned that NZ are moving into Level 3... 

The announcement...

"From Tuesday 24 March 2020 - SCHOOL CLOSED for ALL students with the exception of essential services personnel such as medical staff 

From Wednesday 25 March 2020 - ALL NZ schools will be CLOSED until further notice and that from Tuesday 24 March, there all schools will be closed. Teacher had to teach 'online'."

Then, the next announcement came...

"School holidays brought forward 

School holidays are being brought forward so that they are completed within the 4 week period. Holidays will now begin from Monday 30 March to Tuesday 14 April inclusive (a reminder that the Tuesday after Easter Monday is always a closed day for schools).  However, although the nationwide lockdown is for a period of four weeks which will extend beyond this holiday period, the return date will not be known until the full and ongoing impact of COVID-19 is known. You will be advised in due course when this return date will be following advice from the Ministry of Education.

 Term 2 begins on Wednesday 15 April through Distance Learning (Home Learning)." 

An interesting time for all...

~ "Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation , creativity and change." - Brené Brown ~

A Year in Review and a quick Reflection

Looking back on my 'I see it..., I want it..., I dream it...' post at the start of the year, my one word was 'SEE'...

Reflecting on my 'SEE'

1. I will be open to seeing the possibilities, the problems, the solutions and the milestones that can be reached every day.
2. Focusing more on the “why”, not just the “what” and “how” when stepping back from the day-to-day planning and details of my work, will allow me to not only see the big picture, but also the immediate achievements and needs.
3. I would like to see that the link between our school, parents, whānau and community where our school's educational goals are concerned are understood and supported. This will enable us to further create and nurture relationships of trust.
4. My job will be done if I could see the simple question “What’s best for ________?” being asked and acted upon. After all, staff well-being is crucial, and it is also our responsibility to ensure that students are excited about learning and to inspire a deep love for learning.
5. I know that the insanely long hours I work, is not contributing to recuperating and focusing on myself. I achieve my goal of seeing myself take time out at least once a week, to 'de-stress' and to improve my work-life balance to avoid burnout.

Highlights for me this year
1. Some of my Professional Development included:

• Strengths-based Leadership Development - Rob Clarke, Learning Architects (2019 - Current)
• The Coaching Habit - Anne Giles, Direction Worx (2019)
• Empowering Leaders to Empower Learning - Leanne Angland (2019)
• Stress Management and WELL-being - Rotorua AP/DP Association (2019)
• Igniting your imagination in Digital Technologies and Hangarau Matihiko meetup - MOE (2019)
• Level 3 Special Learning Disabilities Course - SPELD NZ (2019)
• HiveSummit (14 day) Virtual Educational Conference (2019)
• Notice & Adjust: Supporting Students with Learning Difficulties workshop - Neil MacKay (2019)
• Story Ways Literacy: Storytelling Schools NZ (students learn to develop great oral communication skills while mastering the language and ideas they need for subsequent writing) by Liz Swanson (2019)
• Accelerated Learning in Literacy (ALL) start up workshop - Kath Jones & Colleen Wills (2019)
• Developing an effective writing programme workshop by Sheena Cameron & Louise Dempsey (2019)

These PD opportunities opened the seeing of possibilities, the problems, the solutions and the milestones that could be reached every day. It also assist in often focusing more on the “why”, not just the “what” and “how” when stepping back from the day-to-day planning and details of my work, which allowed me to not only see the big picture, but also the immediate achievements and needs.

2. Teaching as Inquiry:

After administering an Oral assessment, I analysed the data, which helped me to identify target learners who are ‘at risk’ and their specific areas of need. I then started my 'Teaching as Inquiry' by asking: "How can I use a Storytelling approach to accelerate target learners and enhance their oral language skills through retelling of stories, news, after guided reading & using Seesaw, which will then also result in authentic writing experiences?"

~ 'He mana tō te kupu' - 'Words have great power' - a whakataukītanga kōrero (proverbial saying) ~

I planned deliberate activities that meet the needs of these learners, whilst also capitalising on spontaneous authentic learning opportunities that support oral language development.

Student achievement can be seen as shown in the end of year spreadsheet below.

It should be noted that the my student whom only made 1 Stanine’s progress received Speech Language Therapy support and also has had a Language Learning Intervention plan by an outside agency. Unfortunately, funding for this was only available and in place for Term 2. However, I am pleased with the overall outcome of this inquiry.

3. My Presentations:

• Digital Technologies | Hangarau Matihiko: Build knowledge - Develop Knowledge - Follow up and teaching lessons, activities and resources provided (Staff meeting - 29 July 2019)
• Digital Technologies | Hangarau Matihiko: Build knowledge - Develop Knowledge (Staff meeting - 1 April 2019)
• Seesaw: The Learning Journal - Need to know (Staff meeting, especially for all new staff - 4 February 2019)

4. End of Year Highlights:
I received so many lovely messages and gifts... here's just a few messages... #EndOfYear #FeelingBlessed

~ "The attitude you bring to the day is what the day will bring to you. Great attitude. Great day." - Unknown ~

Convenient and Flexible Learning

I have had the opportunity to be involved in some online Professional Development this month through the 'Hive Summit', organised and hosted by Michael Matera. 

The themes were:

Day 1: #YouMatter and Day 2: Engaging and Empowering

• “You cannot compete with someone who believes that their contribution is needed by the world” - Angela Maiers
• “We’re not talking about a trick or drop-in lesson. We’re talking about a refined engagement system; something that can be put in place time and time again” - Michael Matera

Day 3: Shaking up learning and Day 4: Relationships 

• “We can’t let our own limitations be limitations for our students” - Kasey Bell
• “Once you know someone’s story, everything changes” - CJ Reynolds

Day 5: Leadership and Day 6: Leadership and Engagement

• “Empathy leads to relationships, leads to advocacy, leads to success” - Ted Neitzke
• “If I’m not excited about teaching it, they can’t be excited about learning it” - Michelle Ferré

Day 7: Productivity and Day 8: Play

• "There is no 'One Size Fits All' for Productivity" - Lisa Johnson
• “[Students] don’t always get to flex their creative muscles” - Quinn Rollins

Day 9: Self-care

• “We are entitled to self-care” - Dan Tricarico

"The Hive Summit is a conference built for all educators and offers opportunities to learn, grow, and connect." - https://www.hivesummit.org/

Collaborative Practice & Team function

Members from our AP|DP Association listened to a presentation on 'Leaders and Learning' (Empowering Leaders, Empowering Learning).

Some 'takeaways'...

• What a leader believes in his/her core about every teacher's capacity to learn and improve impacts on his/her effectiveness in leading a team

• The 'Pygmalion Effect' v 'Golem Effect'

• From the #InnovatorsMindset who quoted Author and human behaviour researcher Tom Rath who notes in his book, 'Strengths Finder 2.)', that, "people who do have the opportunity to focus on their strengths every day are six times as likely to report having an excellent quality of life in general. Clearly we need to make sure our educators and students have ample opportunity to explore and practice in areas which they thrive."

• Consider the way we function as a team/leadership. The way we function impacts the learning of teachers/students

          The ultimate place for a team's collaboration to fall is in Quadrant I: High functioning, 

          High impact

• Five fundamental values/beliefs which supports effective leadership:

1. Collaboration
2. Shared leadership
3. Goal setting & attainment (SMA - H(Heart) - RT)
4. Rigorous discourse
5. Continuous discourse

We listened to a short extract on 'Disciplined Collaboration'

• The most powerful professional learning occurs when professionals collaborate, enquire, reflect and co-construct together. In short, inter-dependent learning.

          BUT

• Simply working together does not guarantee any change or improvement in leadership, professional practice or pedagogy. For this to occur, the condition for collaborative learning and the evaluation of impact need to be firmly in place.

• Professional collaboration SHOULD have impact, have a purpose, have a hard edge, challenge

• Feedback are based on our observations and experiences (Appreciative... Coaching... Evaluation...). Key player in feedback is the receiver 

• Observation and reflective analysis- to empower practice:

1. Prior to an observation - time to meet and talk to establish clear observation purpose, process, goal - linked to teacher's inquiry goal
2. Co-construct the effective practice criteria, that the observer will observe
3. Reflective analysis and dialogue of the lesson - centered around the pre-established criteria and the impact on learner outcomes - how are learners responding and learning? (Responsive & Adaptive Expertise)
4. Co-construct new/improved practice based on analysis dialogue - set time for follow-up analysis

Question to ponder:

• How important is mindset in leadership? - What challenges do I see in MY leadership around mindset?

Connecting the learning... Where to next?

• Leadership styles - self-awareness, strengths, next steps
• Leading a team - tools and strategies - the HOW?
• Collaboration with purpose
• Collective efficacy and Culture building
• Professional Learning Communities - what/why/HOW?
• Effective feedback
• Leadership Inquiry / Learning Inquiry
• Distributed Leadership
• Practise observation and reflective analysis
• Adaptive and responsive expertise
• Building relational trust
• Effective communication / Difficult conversations
• Leading with Emotional Intelligence
• Innovative Leadership

~ "A leader who helps develop FOCUSED COLLABORATIVE CAPACITY will make the greatest contribution to student learning - Fullan & Quinn, 2016 ~