July 2016

From the Desk of Dr. Cotton

We are getting ready for 2016-2017! Building administrators and district staff came together for a three-day planning retreat in June and we are so excited about the great things to come in 2016-2017. Dr. John Almarode was with us to continue the discussion on visible learning and we spent some time with Apple Education's Dr. Eric Wood exploring ways to ensure that the technology we are using meets the focus of what we do each day. I hope each of you is enjoying a time of rejuvenation and focus on your family.


Understand Your Own Why:

One of the first things I ask teachers when I am helping them plan lessons is Why are you teaching this? Most times, teachers answer, “Because it’s in the curriculum.” If that is your only reason for teaching a lesson, it’s no wonder there is no joy in your teaching. Spend time this summer thinking about your own personal “why?” Are you teaching a unit on Shakespeare because you want students to taste the richness of his language for themselves? Are you teaching students how to convert decimals to fractions so they can be ready for algebra in a few years? Are you teaching students the life cycle of plants so that they can have a better appreciation for our planet and thus be better stewards of natural resources? Find your own why and use it to animate the lessons you plan and to feed your own passion for teaching them.

-Robyn Jackson, Mindsteps

Learning Never Stops

Opportunities for HCPS educators to enhance their skills are abundant. This month's feature Professional Learning Opportunity is Apple Education's Conquering Technology Course. Work at your own pace to learn more about the devices our students use and how to integrate them into daily instruction.

Make the Most of Summer in Our Area