This year, I gained a new appreciation for the power of creativity in education as I created a new level of engagement and excitement in my classroom. My success has been powered by my own joy of learning and creativity, supported by my mentor, my principal and by the resources of my school and district.
Blessed with abundant resources and cutting edge technology I began to create a new level of the blended learning environment in my second grade classroom. One day when I was out shopping, a little Sphero robot bumped into my foot at the Apple Store and I felt drawn to its educational possibilities. With funding from my school, I purchased enough robots for a 2:1 ratio in class and that became a doorway to countless projects and expanded lesson plans for my second graders.
I began to use these little robots as tools to engage and challenge my students to develop their critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and creativity. I have a class of diverse learners with varied skill levels and learning needs. The projects and activities that I designed, helped meet the needs of my class of diverse learners and enabled all of them to learn with eager excitement. The students quickly learned block programming on a free field trip to the Apple Store.
With their newfound skills and their little robots, the students were soon diving into lessons in vocabulary, writing, math, science and social studies in innovative ways that took them away from their chairs and their desks! Our blended learning environment blossomed and I was blessed with a class of engaged and focused learners. A sample of a project that expanded learning and engagement through programming as well as a video of my students in action, can be found on my, “Creativity and Technology” page on this site.
Using this hands-on and collaborative learning tool, the robot lessons and projects facilitated incredible learning and teaching highlights not to be forgotten.
● It was surprising when I observed that my students found the infinite possibilities of programming less overwhelming than learning to use a ruler, map and pencil one day! When they did master the map reading skills on paper though, they happily threw themselves into programming their robots to demonstrate their knowledge with props, sounds, lights and animation!
● One day, a student who normally struggled putting together a sentence, wrote an alliteration poem that was fun and longer than anyone else in the class! The students programmed their robots to present their poems.
● Another day, we were doing a robot project involving math and map skills to finish out a paragraph that the students wrote about going to visit dolphins. As the room was buzzing with the robot and human sounds, we were observed by principal and our district administrators who were giving a tour to the president the NCEA, National Catholic Education Association. He was traveling the country to witness what is happening in Catholic education in the US my model of blended learning in the classroom was highlighted.
Though I have always considered creativity as one of my greatest strengths, I am finding renewed inspiration as I look down a wonderful road for myself and my students.
I plan to continue to hone my skills in PBL and expanded lesson plans that engage and give support so that all learners can thrive.
When I
am excited about learning,
my students mirror and amplify
my energy
and together we all soar!
Innovative Classroom Scheduling: I am definitely redefining what it means to make a daily schedule for my classroom. As I use more project based learning, I enjoy blurring the boundaries of the typical class schedule of one academic subject at a time. I find that I can engage my students more effectively in this environment and the mood of the classroom is positive, respectful as well as exciting. As everyone knows, when students are focused and engaged, behavior issues nearly disappear!
Sharing and Resonating with Colleagues: I have enjoyed my experiences collaborating with other teachers who are on similar teaching paths. Our Drexel school system encourages us to spend time with each other. I think that this is even more important for teachers who work in schools with only 1 classroom per grade level.
A Physical Space for All Learners: By implementing new kinds of work spaces in my classroom, I will strive to meet the needs of all my students. I am adding alternative seating, stand up work areas and spaces for quiet time and renewal for my students.
Growing And Creating: Growth and creativity are the keys to my continued energy and happiness in education. My friends tell me that I'm ideal for my profession because I'm always exploring and trying new things. I do not like to become bored!
As long as I love my work and my students are thrilled to come to school and are learning, I will know that I am reaching my goals!
What's Next?
This Journey
Learning and Growing
To My
Colleagues,
I have always believed you cannot give what you do not have. The teaching profession is all about giving. So I can be my best in life and in my classroom, I have found ways to energize, heal and calm myself.
I'm renewed by continually doing and learning new things. In my life so far, I've been a professional flutist, a music teacher, a Catholic Liturgist. Now I teach 2nd grade at a Catholic school and I am a rowing coach for high school men as well as adults. Most mornings, you can find me on the San Francisco Bay in my single scull, working out for my next master rowing race.
Having hobbies helps you relax. I love to row, hike, knit, cook, draw, play music, walk my dog and take care of my saltwater aquarium.
Be a life-long learner. Be sure to make time in your life for you. Find your inner peace.
When I am rowing, I am aware only of my breathing, the water, and my next stroke.
Inner Peace
Everyone needs a place where they can put aside the details of their life and center their soul.
Gifts of peace...
sunrise and sunset
on the San Francisco Bay.