Tarleton State University March 23, 2010

The educator will understand how we attempt to meet the needs of the at-risk student by reaching their hearts and minds so that we can help them learn. Please note areas about which you would like more information. We will answer questions at the end of the presentation. The PowerPoint can be accessed at

Why did you enter the teacher preparation program….Why do you want to become a teacher?

Crossland Ninth Grade Center in partnership with students, families, and community is committed to providing a uniquely focused freshman environment. Our goal is to produce responsible and prepared lifelong learners who will make a seamless and successful transition to Granbury High School.

Through establishment of a caring climate Through fostering ownership on the part of the students Through modeling what we want to see Through meaningful instruction and processes

Handshakes at the door each morning Music in the mornings and during passing periods Students can request specific music Student Centered Poetry Café Book Talk Bistro Fellowship of Christian Anybodies Smiles, names, asking how they are doing….

Summer Academy Goals Selection of Students – make them feel that they were chosen Activities

Creating Buy In Treating the students as true partners Value them by asking for their input

Social Contract (Capturing Kids Hearts) Questions How do you want me to treat you? How do you want to treat each other? How do you think I want you to treat me? How are we going to handle conflicts? Good things…

Student Leadership Selection Process Activities Ropes Course Talent Show Rachel’s Kindness TAKS Data Presentations Comparison to state Goal Setting Presentations to peers Math Day

Inclusion – co-teach classrooms Differentiated instruction Grouping strategies Objective driven lessons Conversations about improvement and growth at every opportunity Released TAKS data Data folders Common lessons

CollectAnalyzeReflect Act

Turn to a partner and tell them what comes to mind when you think of the word discipline.

Webster 1828 (v) “To instruct, to inform the mind; to prepare by instructing in correct principals and habits; as, to discipline youth for a profession, or for future usefulness; to advance and prepare by instruction.”

So where does discipline fit in the four categories we’ve discussed?  Through establishment of a caring climate  Through fostering ownership on the part of the students  Through modeling what we want to see  Through meaningful instruction and processes

Coach through behavior choices with CKH questions Talk about personal responsibility and the power of choice Daily Announcement… “Make it a great day or not, the choice is absolutely yours.”

Class of 2010 “212° One degree of effort makes all the difference” -- Park and Anderson Class of 2011 “Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness is a result of conscious choice and discipline.” -- Collins

Class of 2012 “There are no secrets to success. It is about preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” -- Powell Class of 2013 “Dare to be your best. Once you stop drifting with the crowd and face life courageously, life takes on a new significance….aim at something worthy of the best that is in you. Dare to be Uncommon. -- William Danforth / Tony Dungy (Kids created t-shirts)

Postcards Videos

Class of 2010 (Year 1) -- Academically Acceptable --Gold Performance: Comparable Improvement -- Reading Class of 2011 (Year 2) -- Recognized Campus --Gold Performance: Comparable Improvement – Reading --Missed Gold Performance: Math Commended Rate by 1 percentage point

Class of 2012 (Year 3) -- Recognized Campus --Gold Performance: Comparable Improvement – Reading --National Center for Educational Achievement 2009 Higher Performing School Class of 2013 (Year 4)

What caught your attention? What would you like to know more about? What did you see that you might apply in your classroom?

It’s all about appropriate relationships It’s about mission and vision It’s about being innovative and creative It’s about looking at data It’s about recognizing incremental improvement It’s about seeing possibilities – not limitations It’s about learning from failure It’s about teachers being learners also It’s about giving students their voice and including them – they are the missing link

Why did you enroll in the teacher preparation program? Why do you want to be a teacher?

“Hope is much more than a mood. It involves a commitment to action. What you hope for should be what you are prepared to work for and so bring about as far as that power lies within us.” -- John Polkinghorne

“Dare to be your best. Once you stop drifting with the crowd and face life courageously, life takes on a new significance….aim at something worthy of the best that is in you. Dare to be Uncommon. -- William Danforth / Tony Dungy

I dare you, new teacher, to teach children, not subjects. I dare you, new teacher, to see children for who they will become, not for who they are today. I dare you, new teacher, to be innovative, creative, to think outside the box. I dare you, new teacher, to be a leader in your classes, not cowed by age or lack of experience. I dare you, new teacher, to challenge yourself, to learn from your students and each other, to ask other’s opinion, to listen and learn. I dare you to be uncommon – uncommon in your work ethic, uncommon in your passion, uncommon in your attitude, uncommon in your love for kids. I dare you to aim at something that is worthy of the best that is in you.