The Tenacious Teacher

What we call our students matter! The labels we give them impact their self identity!

This is a call to empower our . Time to acknowledge in words their strengths. Time to verbalize how much they enrich our classes and our practices.

I am attending the 2022 conference. Juliana, 2021 National Teacher of the Year, has invited all of us to reflect. If this is the kick off, can’t wait for the rest.

If you agree with this quote, leave a 🔥 in the comments.

Follow stories for more about the conference.

We have to be intentional when setting up our classrooms. They aren’t our space alone. It also belongs to our students.

For that reason

*Chevrons around the board or bulletin boards
*Color-coded posters on the walls
*The reading nook or quiet space on the corner

aren’t enough to help our students, particularly to feel welcome. It surely makes it pleasant to be in a well-designed space. But we need to make all students feel as they belong there.

I have seen many times a large smile on face when something from their culture is displayed. And right after, despite being the first days of school, a conversation followed.

From there, I could always count on that child’s participation.

No more “What did you do this Summer?”, “Did you travel?” or “Did you have fun?”

Here it goes to hoping these questions are a thing of the past.

This year instead go the extra mile. Use the classroom space as another way to connect.

If you are with me, write that on the comments.

Strategies aren't enough to support become proficient in English. It helps a great deal. However, to learn a language, learners need repeated exposure to words, concepts and skills. They need repeated opportunities (reading, writing, listening and speaking) to use the language they are learning in context.

I invite you to try and see what happens when you
*teach the language using pictures, asking students to repeat new words, telling them to make notes

*repeat key words and structures the following day to provide another chance to see the same words and structures

*tell them to talk to a partner, complete the sentences from the board/worksheet, write in a journal many times during a unit

I can guarantee engagement will increase because they know how you teach and what they should focus their attention on.

Do you disagree? Let me know in the comments.

Reaching out to the family builds bridges. But most importantly it helps you learn a lot about each of your students.

Here is a list of questions I ask

*What language is the family preferred form of communication?
*What is the best way to reach the family? What time?
*Who is the best contact, particularly in case of emergencies?
*Do any of the parents speak in English?
*Where is the family from?
*How long they have been in the US?
*If you don’t know, what language does the student speak?
*Is it the only language the student speak?
*Are there other languages at home?
*If there is only one other language at home, does that parent support literacy in the first language? How?
*Can the student read and write in their language?
*What subject do they like most? Least?
*Does the student like to read? What types of books? Why not?
*How does the family encourage reading at home?
*Are there other children at home?
*Is the student the oldest?
*Does this student help watch younger siblings?
*What is the family dynamics around school work?
*Does the student go to any after school program? Is any support to school offered in this program?

If student is a , to learn about prior schooling …
*Did they go to school in their home country?
*How many days a week was school? In some countries, it isn’t 5 days a week.
*What grade were they in?
*What did they study at school? You may want to mention some key topics of this year to gauge prior knowledge.

I know it is a lot to ask parents. Some may feel hesitant if you don’t explain before hand why this is important. Make sure to explain all this information will help you support their child.

End the conversation making yourself available. Share which ways parents can reach you and what it is your turn around time to reply. If you don’t answer parents contact on the weekend, say that.

Found this relevant? Tag a teacher-friend in the comments.

Reaching out to the family builds bridges. But most importantly it helps you learn a lot about each of your students.

Here is a list of questions I ask

*What language is the family preferred form of communication?

*What is the best way to reach the family? What time?

*Who is the best contact, particularly in case of emergencies?

*Do any of the parents speak in English?

*Where is the family from?

*How long they have been in the US?

*If you don’t know, what language does the student speak?

*Is it the only language the student speak?

*Are there other languages at home?

*If there is only one other language at home, does that parent support literacy in the first language? How?

*Can the student read and write in their language?

*What subject do they like most? Least?

*Does the student like to read? What types of books? Why not?

*How does the family encourage reading at home?

*Are there other children at home?

*Is the student the oldest?

*Does this student help watch younger siblings?

*What is the family dynamics around school work?

*Does the student go to any after school program? Is any support to school offered in this program?

If student is a , to learn about prior schooling …
*Did they go to school in their home country?

*How many days a week was school? In some countries, it isn’t 5 days a week.

*What grade were they in?

*What did they study at school? You may want to mention some key topics of this year to gauge prior knowledge.

I know it is a lot to ask parents. Some may feel hesitant if you don’t explain before hand why this is important. Make sure to explain all this information will help you support their child.

End the conversation making yourself available. Share which ways parents can reach you and what it is your turn around time to reply. If you don’t answer parents contact on the weekend, say that.

Found this relevant? Tag a teacher-friend in the comments.

We have to be intentional when setting up our classrooms. They aren’t our space alone. It also belongs to our students.

For that reason

*Chevrons around the board or bulletin boards
*Color-coded posters on the walls
*The reading nook or quiet space on the corner

aren’t enough to help our students, particularly to feel welcome. It surely makes it pleasant to be in a well-designed space. But we need to make all students feel as they belong there.

I have seen many times a large smile on face when something from their culture is displayed. And right after, despite being the first days of school, a conversation followed.

From there, I could always count on that child’s participation.

No more “What did you do this Summer?”, “Did you travel?” or “Did you have fun?”

Here it goes to hoping these questions are a thing of the past.

This year instead go the extra mile. Use the classroom space as another way to connect.

If you are with me, write that on the comments.

I promised myself I wouldn't buy a new book until I read all the books on my shelf.

🙋🏼‍♀️if you are like me! Last time I counted, I had over 50 books in teaching alone! So this Summer, I have made sure I read a chapter a day.

This one by Pauline Gibbons is really good! It describes the challenges of literacy in academic areas for middle and high school students. It gives examples and ideas how to design lessons with in mind. I'm only on chapter 3. Can't wait to make it to 7 where she goes into planning.

Are you reading anything this summer? Let me know in the comments.