In the Spotlight: May 2017

From the Desk of Dr. Cotton

Teachers, there is no greater calling than the job you do every day. While one week in May is nowhere near enough time to provide the recognition you deserve, this week we are excited to celebrate all you do to ensure that our students receive the support and love they need every time they enter your classroom. As the year winds down and you begin to make summer plans, I hope that you will take a few moments to reflect on the benefits of your hard work this year. That student who is a better reader, the one who gave a fantastic presentation, the one who discovered a talent he didn't know he had, and all of their classmates are so fortunate to have had you in their lives. Thank you for giving of yourself - the future is brighter because of all you do!

Important Licensure Information

Effective July 1, 2017, every person seeking initial licensure or renewal of a license shall complete awareness training, provided by the VDOE, on the indicators of dyslexia, as that term is defined by the Board pursuant to regulations, and the evidence-based interventions and accommodations for dyslexia. See Superintendent's Memo 102-17 for additional resources, training, and information. Access the dyslexia training module here.

Good Read: Project Based Learning

Wondering whether the benefits of project based learning in your classroom really outweigh the investment? Harvard Ed's winter magazine explored the idea of student engagement - their findings show we're on the right path in HCPS!

Intrigued by the possibilities of expanding PBL in your classroom? Chat with your colleagues at Bengal Tech and Warrior Tech or touch base with one of our curriculum coordinators today.

Reflective Practice: Mindsteps' Robyn Jackson Examines Discipline Problems...Could YOU Be the Problem?

One of my favorite definitions of a discipline problem is “whenever a behavior interferes with the teaching act, interferes with the rights of others to learn, is psychologically or physically unsafe, or destroys property” (Levin and Nolan, 1996).

That means, not only can students be discipline problems, but we can sometimes be inadvertent discipline problems as well.

Sometimes, we can interfere with students’ right to learn because we are unprepared, stray off topic, or interrupt them while they are working for something that could have waited. Other time, there is a legitimate discipline problem with students and how we handle that problem escalates things to the point where we become the discipline problem too.

We all get frustrated with our students, but how we handle that frustration may mean the difference between creating or escalating a discipline problem or refocusing the students on what’s really important – learning.

Below are 20 signs YOU might be the discipline problem: If you answer no to one or more of the questions below, you might be a discipline problem.

Do I start class on time?
Am I prepared for the day’s lesson (materials, equipment, in place and ready to go)?
Have I planned effectively for the full time (do I teach to the bell?)
Do I have procedures and routines in place to ensure the smooth, orderly flow of class?
Is the classroom environment physically, emotionally, and psychologically safe?
Is the classroom arranged to minimize distractions?
Do I have procedures and routines in place to ensure the smooth, orderly flow of class?
Are my consequences logical and consistently applied?
Are my expectations for students clear and do I model the expected behaviors in my interactions with students?
Are my verbal interventions as brief and private as possible?
Do I address the person rather than situation or behavior?
Do I avoid sarcasm or other belittling behaviors when addressing inappropriate behavior?
Do I avoid the use of threats?
Is my response to student misbehavior proportionate?
Do I have strategies to avoid arguing with students?
Do I effectively control my own anger and frustration during an incident?
Are my consequences redemptive instead of punitive?
Do I prevent students from bullying and teasing each other in class?
Do I avoid unintentionally reward misbehavior (i.e. laughing at inappropriate jokes, allowing students unearned privileges?
Do I maintain appropriate boundaries with students?

With the continuous rise of ransomware infections that are often instigated through phishing emails, it’s crucial to take proactive measures to help protect yourself and Henry County Public School’s security.

What is a phishing email? It’s the act of attempting to acquire information such as username and passwords by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

Example of a phishing email:

Here are some of the ways you can spot and handle a phishing email.

1. Don’t trust the display name of who the email is from. Be sure to look at the email address to confirm the true sender.

2. Look but don’t click. Mouse over parts of the email without clicking on anything. If the alt text doesn’t match what the link description says, don’t click on it.

3. Check for spelling errors. Attackers are often less concerned about spelling or grammar

4. Consider the salutation. Is the salutation to “valued customer” or “Dear [title here]?

5. Is the email asking for personal information? Legitimate companies are unlikely to ask for personal information in an email.

6. Beware of urgency within the email.

7. Check the email signature. Most legitimate senders will include a full signature block at the bottom of their emails.

8. Be careful with attachments.

9. Don’t believe everything you see. If something seems slightly out of the norm, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

10. When in doubt, contact your IT department.

What can happen if I get ransomware? It can prevent you from accessing Windows, and/or encrypt files so you can’t use them, and/or stop certain apps from running (like your web browsers).

If I get ransomware should I change my passwords? YES, YES and YES. Once your computer is rid of the ransomware, please change all passwords (including the ones you have saved within your web browser).

There is no tech defense against phishing attacks that guarantees security because it’s a fallible human who decides to click the malicious link. The more that people are aware of phishing and its risks, the less likely they are to take the bait and to avoid putting themselves and the whole district at risk.

From Our Community Partners

K-12 Math teachers, Grades 6-12 STEM teachers, and K-8 teachers needing CEUs in Literacy,

Keep up with the newest standards. Registrations for MELT Summer Institutes are coming in daily. School districts are registering blocks of teachers. Individuals and groups of teachers are registering independently. We are already at a record high number of registrations for this early in the year. You are encouraged to begin exploring and making your summer PD plans.

Mathematics Education Leadership Training

Since 1998, the Mathematics Education Training Program (MELT) at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC has provided cutting edge professional development opportunities for K-12 mathematics teachers and community college faculty through MELT Summer Institutes. Last year, we had 150 teachers, curriculum personnel, and administrators attend MELT Institutes; this was a record high number. This summer, MELT continues to provide week-long, residential, Summer Institutes focusing on the pedagogical content knowledge (K-12 Math, Grades 6-12 STEM, and K-8 Literacy) needed for teachers to assist their students to succeed. Each MELT Summer Institute provides participants with the opportunity of earning either continuing education units (CEUs) or graduate credits.

The MELT Institutes for Summer 2017 include the following:

Week 1: June 26-30, 2017

Math 3 (3^rd high school math) (3 CEUs in Math)

Integrating Technology into Mathematics (Grades 6-12) (3 CEUs in Math)

Numbers, Operations, & Meaning (Grades K-5) (3 CEUs in Math)

Numbers, Operations, & Meaning (Grades 6-8) (3 CEUs in Math)

Week 2: July 10-14, 2017

STEM Leadership (Grades 6-12) (3 CEUs, either Math, Science, or a combination)

Math 2 (2^nd high school math) (3 CEUs in Math)

Literacy in Mathematics (Grades K-8) (3 CEUs in Literacy)

Algebraic Thinking, Algebra, & Functions (Grades K-5) (3 CEUs in Math)

Algebraic Thinking, Algebra, & Functions (Grades 6-8) (3 CEUs in Math)

Week 3: July 17-21, 2017

Math 1 (1^st high school math) (3 CEUs in Math)

Math 4 (4^th high school math) (3 CEUs in Math)

Formative Assessment & Learning (Grades 6-12) (3 CEUs in Math)

Fractions, Ratios, Proportions, & Geometry (Grades K-5) (3 CEUs in Math)

Fractions, Ratios, Proportions, & Geometry (Grades 6-8) (3 CEUs in Math)

Descriptions of these courses are available online.

Last year we developed an amazingly successful Group Discount for teachers. We are providing this again. The group discount is simply a Buy-One-Get-One free on the Institute tuition. Buy any seat in any MELT Summer Institute and get one seat in either that same Institute or another Institute tuition free. Pairs of teachers do not need to be in the same institute or even in the same week. This discount is even applicable to one teacher who wishes to attend two Summer Institutes for the price of one. (This discount is only applied to MELT Institute tuition costs and not the costs for housing.) Groups of teachers can organize this group discount or a school or district can organize this through the MELT program.

Many school districts have stated that their district STEM leaders were working ferociously, but with minimal support and direction. To meet this need, MELT is again offering a STEM Leadership Institute to investigate ways to enhance K-12 STEM programs. This Institute is being offered in Week 2 (July 10-14). For this Institute, participants will select to earn CEUs in either science, math, or a combination.

MELT has contracted with some area hotels for room prices. See the MELT Summer Institutes website for hotel information.

If you wish to earn graduate credits for Institutes, you must begin soon to complete the necessary paperwork. Please contact Dr. Holly Hirst (hirsthp@appstate.edu); she will shepherd you through the process.

If you are an administrator and interested in sending some teachers from your district or school to MELT, blocks of seats can be purchased to reserve slots and ensure the group discount. Contact the MELT office as soon as possible. If you are a teacher and want professional development, act quickly. If you have any questions, please contact me through the information below.