Early in April, Cathy Gassenheimer had an “amazing opportunity to learn more about coaching—and be coached.” Her experience took place in Kansas at a Leadership Coaching Institute led by Jim Knight, John Campbell, and Christian van Nieuwerburgh. “At the end of three days, I left with new ideas, new colleagues, and a fresh perspective on coaching.”
The mastery of new, more rigorous standards has been challenging for many students, says the 2018-19 Alabama Teacher of the Year Zestlan Simmons, but “thanks to a steady process of guided practice and constant feedback” many more students are turning the corner – gaining the skills and knowledge they need to become informed citizens ready to flourish and contribute to the world.
The March issue of Educational Leadership focused on the power of instructional leadership, notes Cathy Gassenheimer, “and editor Anthony Rebora did a masterful job pulling together the thoughts and ideas of an impressive group of educators ranging from Mike Schmoker to Pete Hall, Douglas Fisher, and others.” Read about and find links to some of Cathy’s favorites.
Alabama’s rigorous College and Career Ready science standards require students to go beyond identifying facts and information. They require them to predict, analyze, and explain as they work to master the standards’ expectations. Science teacher and NBCT Amy Fowler Murphy offers an example from her chemistry class.
What are Alabama’s College and Career Ready Standards? Why are they important to educators? How do they help students prepare for life after school in both college and career? Follow along with our new “Teacher Voices” series as educators from around Alabama answer these questions. We begin with Kay Haas, a veteran teacher and instructional coach at Walker Elementary in Tuscaloosa County.
Learn why Jackie Walsh came away from ASCD’s Empower19 conference with the understanding that “social emotional learning occurs in the classrooms of teachers who themselves have a strong sense of Identity and Agency, are adept at both Emotional and Cognitive Regulation, possess finely tuned Social Skills, and have a robust Public Spirit.”
Educators participating in last week’s Key Leaders Network (South) at Pike Road Elementary took time to hear from fourth grade learners about their projects and real-world applications of learning. Cathy Gassenheimer shares some highlights, photos, and a great PDF showcasing student work. Videos included!
It is time for all of us who support Alabama public schools to do what it takes to make effective writing instruction an essential in every grade, writes Cathy Gassenheimer. “Imagine how empowered our students will be if they leave school with the ability to write effectively, both in their work and in their personal lives.”
During the last challenging months of the school year, educators need to remember some simple messages learned in Kindergarten: “Stay on target. Stick to our structures and routines. And by all means – collaborate.” Jill Edwards, an assistant principal in the Florence City Schools, spotlights “the masterful skills of really adept kindergarten teachers.”
Life at the Alabama Best Practices Center is often action-packed, and the third week of February was no exception! Take a photo tour with Cathy Gassenheimer as she spends Tuesday and Wednesday facilitating Instructional Rounds in Oxford City Schools and Thursday at the Elementary wrap-up session for this year’s Powerful Conversations Network.