Secondary Collaboration: December 13th

We are looking forward to our secondary collaboration this Wednesday, December 13th, from 7:30 AM-9:00 AM.  We will be meeting at the high school, and the focus of our work will be around artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can impact our work and practices.  

Your feedback and questions guided the planning of two sessions.  Based on your teaching role, you will attend one of the two sessions. These sessions will be facilitated by technology consultants from Heartland AEA.

Marissa Dahl and Tyler Hellman will present a session on how to use AI to enrich student learning and support teacher productivity, and Jeff Glade and Alex Glade will present a session on using AI for storytelling and assessments.  

• Marissa Dahl/Tyler Hellman: Session 1-HS Multipurpose Room
• Jeff Glade/Alex Glade: Session 2-HS Auditorium

Please report to the sessions below:

PE/Health 6-12	Multipurpose Room
CTE (PLTW)	Multipurpose Room
Science- 6-12	Multipurpose Room
Math: 6-12	Multipurpose Room
World Language, 8th World Language	Auditorium
Instrumental/Vocal Music/General Music/Guitar 6-12	Auditorium
Art 6-12	Auditorium
Social Studies 6-12	Auditorium
ELA 6-12, ESOL 6-12, TAG 6, Teacher Librarians	Auditorium
Special Ed Teachers	see email from Ashley Tabor
Counselors	Caring Hands

We are looking forward to learning together and collaborating on Wednesday. 

Elementary Grade Level Collaboration

Our elementary grade level collaboration will be held this Wednesday, November 8th, from 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM.  The focus of our work will be around the implementation of our new elementary math materials as well as goal writing for IEP's.  Please report to the locations below with a charged laptop and something to write with.  We are looking forward to collaborating! 

Preschool	TLRC
Kindergarten	Delaware Elementary
Grade 1	Altoona Elementary
Grade 2	Clay Elementary
Grade 3	Mitchellville Elementary
Grade 4	Centennial Elementary
Grade 5	Willowbrook Elementary
Nurses	HS Principals conference room
Counselors	Centennial Elementary
Teacher Librarians	Four Mile Elementary  Library
Music	Centennial Elementary Music Room
Art	Centennial Elementary Art Room
PE	Clay Elementary
ESOL	Altoona Elementary--ESOL classroom
Title I Math	Attend grade level meetings
Special Education Teachers	Spring Creek library
TAG	Altoona Elementary--TAG Room
Title I Reading & Reading Specialists	Centennial Elementary--Reading Specialists classroom

Our friend and partner in learning, Trevor Ragan, recently shared some articles and videos for the start of the school year.  In one post, he compared the space for learning with repetitions when working out.  When we are spotting someone, we do not jump in and do the work when it gets hard.  But we are tempted to do this in learning in the name of supporting our students. 

"Obviously this wouldn’t be a very effective approach. If you step in and rob me of the most important reps every time, progress will be limited.

We would never do this in the weight room, yet we do it all of the time when it comes to learning."

His full post can be found below:

Robbing Reps

by Trevor Ragan

I’m squatting, you’re spotting.

The goal: 12 reps

Reps 1-3: no prob

Reps 4-7: not bad either, but I’m starting to feel it

Rep 8: It gets hard and I start to struggle a bit

You jump in and do the last 4 reps for me.

I feel better, you feel helpful… but my reps have been robbed!

Obviously this wouldn’t be a very effective approach. If you step in and rob me of 4 of the most important reps every time, progress will be limited.

We would never do this in the weight room, yet we do it all of the time when it comes to learning.

We finish their sentence, give them the answer, solve the problem, and remove them from the challenge.

Just like muscles, skills are built. They’re built through reps and practice – especially the ones that challenge and stretch us.

Problem solving
Bouncing back from adversity
Dealing with change

Are three important muscles (skills) that we all need to develop.

But it’s impossible to get good at them without practice:

I can’t get good at solving problems if you solve them for me.

I can’t get good at bouncing back from adversity if I’m never allowed to fall.

I can’t get good at dealing with change if I’m not allowed to experience it.

Coach me, support me, cheer for me – but please don’t rob my reps.

Below are some additional posts and videos related to learning, reflection, and mindsets.

Robbing Reps: A Cautionary Note for Leaders
A quick reminder for anyone in a leadership role.

Improving Leadership, Communication, Connection
Sometimes the more experienced we are, the harder it is to connect with, coach, and teach someone who is not on our level. The good news: this can be fixed.

Building a Better Learning Environment with Psychological Safety
Psychological safety is essential for better learning. It's important to understand what it is, why it matters, and how to build it.

How Our Mindsets Impact Others - The Pygmalion Effect
Our beliefs about the people we work with can impact their learning and performance.

The New Era of Growth Mindset
An overview of the latest updates from some of the original researchers. Also, for all of our growth mindset content you can go here: growth mindset toolkit

Improving How we Think and Talk about Stress, Fear, and Discomfort
Minor changes in how we discuss stress can enhance learning and performance under pressure for those we work with.

The Surprising Power of Reflection
Building in time for our people to reflect on what they're learning is a really good idea.

TIME Hours for November payment are due NOVEMBER 10th

Credit-Bearing Course Opportunity

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, K-12 teachers face the crucial task of reimagining their classrooms to support students' emotional well-being while fostering active engagement in learning. This 15-hour course integrates trauma-informed instruction with effective engagement strategies to help educators create a nurturing and empowering classroom environment. Participants will gain insights, practical tools, and strategies to enhance their teaching approaches and support their students in a post-pandemic world. For additional information, the learning map is linked below.

Creating a Resilient Classroom Environment: Trauma-Informed Instruction and Student Engagement Strategies for PK-12 Teachers

Many of the strategies for this course are from the book "Confronting the Crisis of Engagement: Creating Focus and Resilience for Students, Staff, and Communities" by Doug Reeves, Nancy Frey, and Doug Fisher.  Those who take the course will receive a copy of this book.  

This is a hybrid course that includes face to face opportunities, synchronous online opportunities, and asynchronous opportunities. 

• Week of November 6th: 2.5 hours asynchronous
• November 14th: Face to Face, 4:30-6:30
• November 21st: Online synchronous, 4:30-6:30
• November 28th: Online synchronous, 4:30-6:30
• December 5th: Online synchronous, 4:30-6:30
• December 12th: Online synchronous, 4:30-6:30
• December 19th: Face to Face, 4:30-6:30

Key Points

• Credit bearing course (1 hour graduate or relicensure)
• Eligible for TQ funds
• Course text will be provided
• Face to face sessions will be held in the district board room. 
• There is a capacity of 30 students for this session. 

Course Sign-Up

If you are interested in taking this course, please complete the form below. This must be submitted by OCTOBER 31 so we can get books ordered.  Please note that there is a capacity of 30 students for this session.  

Course Sign Up

SEP University--New Course Catalog

As we continue with the launch of Southeast Polk University, we have a new catalog where you can review and register for courses. 

All SEP University content and information is housed on the Southeast Polk Professional Development site.  The link to the new catalog may be found at the top of the SEP University page. 

Southeast Polk Course Catalog

Once you click on the link, you will see the courses that are currently available.  These courses are self-paced, online learning opportunities.

If you want to learn more about a specific course, click on the arrow at the bottom right hand corner of the course tile. 

This will bring you to the course map where you can review the purpose and learning goals of the course. 

If you decide to take the course, you may click on the title to enroll. 

This will then take you directly to the course in Canvas. 

Each module* in a course is designed to take 1 hour to complete with an additional hour for planning and implementation. (*Please note that the course catalog refers to modules as 'points')   SEP University courses may consist of 1-4 modules. Participants may earn 1 credit if they take a combination of 6 modules.

• These modules may be taken beyond the contract day and are eligible for TQ funding*.

• These modules may be used as a part of building professional development.

• These modules may be used as a part of learning for collaboration teams.

*TQ funding only applies to modules taken outside of the school day.

We appreciate your ongoing commitment to learning. Please contact members of the Teaching and Learning team for any questions regarding Southeast Polk University.

Tell Our Story--Why I Teach

We continue to grow our Facebook page to share the many positive stories of teaching and learning at Southeast Polk.  People enjoyed meeting the new teachers at Southeast Polk on this platform prior to the start of the school year.  We would like to expand that to showcase all of the committed and talented staff from our district.  

We would invite any and all staff to introduce themselves on our Facebook page to the Southeast Polk community.  We have linked a form below with just a few short questions--you are welcome to respond with as little or as much information as you see fit.  You may also add any photos to include with the post.  In addition, we are including a place to respond to 'Why I Teach'.  Educators bring so much value to our society--sharing why you chose the profession with others will continue to highlight the importance. 

Wonderful things happen in our classrooms at Southeast Polk each and every day.  Thank you for helping to tell our story. 

Tell Our Story--Why I Teach

District Professional Development: September 29th

We are looking forward to our upcoming day dedicated to professional learning on September 29th. Below you will see focus areas, details, and the schedule for the day.

Contract Day: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Elementary: AM District, PM Building

Lunch: 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

District Focus: Implementation of i-Ready Math materials

Secondary: AM Building, PM District

Lunch: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM

District Focus: Collaboration--Best Practices in Canvas

Elementary 

8:30-11:30 a.m. i-Ready presenters will lead PD

• Preschool: TLRC

• Kindergarten: Delaware

• 1st Grade: Altoona

• 2nd Grade: Clay

• 3rd Grade: Mitchellville

• 4th Grade: Centennial

• 5th Grade: Willowbrook

• Special Ed.: Four Mile 

11:30-1:00 Lunch

1:00-4:00 Building PD

All K-5 classroom, instructional coaches, special education, TAG, ESOL, and Title I Math teachers will attend the math training in the morning. Please bring your Volume 1 Teacher guide, your laptop, and the i-Ready Teacher Learner's Notebook.

• Preschool Teachers

• Meet at the TLRC

• Reading Specialists/Title I Reading Teachers

• Remain at buildings and complete Chapter 62 tasks

• Teacher Librarians

• Meet at Four Mile

• Counselors

• 8:30am - Tour of Caring Hands

• 10:00am - Panorama Training with AEA--Centennial counselor's office

• EL

• Attend math training at your home building

• Instructional Coaches
• Attend math training at your home building

• TAG

• Attend math training at the grade level you serve the most students

• PE

• Meet at Clay to work on team goals

• Art

• Meet at Delaware’s Collaboration Room to work on team goals

• Music

• Meet at Centennial to work on team goals

• K-12 Nurses

• Meet at Jr. High Room 180 for training

Secondary 

8:00-11:00 a.m. Building PD

11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch 

12:30-4:00 p.m. Learning more about Canvas

• SEP High School

• Teacher-led Sessions 

• 12:30-2:20 Face to Face training

• 2:30-3:30 Online learning

• 3:30-4:00 Debrief with their team and complete the exit ticket/survey.

All secondary staff will attend Canvas training in the afternoon at the high school.  Please bring your laptop.  You may want to bring headphones for on demand training. 

The time will be spent on learning more about Best Practices and Usage of Canvas. Multiple teachers from all SEP secondary buildings will be presenting on something in Canvas that they feel benefits both students and teachers as well as answering questions and providing time for you to work in your Canvas Courses.

Watch for an email from SCHED on Monday, September 25th and 3:00 PM. Log in and sign ups will go live at this time. Register for your 4 sessions as seats are limited!

Hispanic Heritage Month starts today, September 15 (Independence Day in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and continues until October 15. The month also includes Mexico’s Independence Day (September 16) and Chile’s Independence Day (September 18). This year's theme is 'Latino's: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America.'

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates Americans who have ancestry in countries that speak Spanish, including Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain. It was started as a way to celebrate the contributions of Americans who have come to the United States from Spanish-speaking countries. Today's blog has ideas and resources* to help educate and celebrate Hispanic Heritage in our schools. 

DID YOU KNOW?

There are 62.1 million Hispanic Americans, and this is around 19% of the U.S. population. 

Books by Hispanic Authors

• Gracias/Thanks by Pat Mora, illustrated by John Parra
• Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina, illustrated by Angela Dominguez
• Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales
• Freddie Ramos Takes Off by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Miguel Benítez
• The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes
• Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres
• The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
• Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

These are just a few titles--the teacher librarians are a great resource for helping you find more! 

Geography

Share a mini geography lesson on a few well-known Spanish-speaking countries. Whether you take a spin around the classroom globe, pull out a world map, or download maps online, students will better understand Hispanic Heritage Month lessons with visuals of the countries you are referencing. National Geographic Kids also has some great resources about Spanish-speaking countries.

Learn more: National Geographic Kids Mexico; National Geographic Kids Spain

Language

Though the accent and slang may be different, there are 21 countries whose dominant language is Spanish. Show six-minute YouTube Video below to middle and high school students so they can see and hear the differences in these Spanish dialects.

Learn more: Spanish Dialects Around the World on YouTube

Culture

From lawmakers, advocates, and artistic creators to entertainment superstars, Hispanic Americans are making a huge impact in today’s society. Explore the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the Smithsonian National Museum of American Art online, where students can learn about famous and influential Hispanic Americans.

Learn more: Molina Family Latino Gallery Virtual Tour at the Smithsonian: National Museum of the American Latino

Music

Music sparks enthusiasm and curiosity about a culture. Within Hispanic culture, Latin music is known for its rhythm. Play different types of Hispanic music to teach the various types of music, and give students a foundation for exploring Hispanic music further.

Try it: Classic Spanish Songs You Need to Know from Spanish Mama

Folklórico, also called baile folklórico or ballet folklórico, is a traditional style of dance that originates in Mexico. Women wear colorful long skirts and long-sleeved blouses. Their hair is usually up in braids and accented with ribbons and/or flowers. Show students clips of folklórico dancers or invite folklórico dancers in your community to put on a short performance at school.

Art

Frida Kahlo was an influential, now-iconic Hispanic artist. Tour her house, La Casa Azul, and study her art in this virtual tour.

Try it: Virtual Tour of La Casa Azul

Learn more: The Story of Frida Kahlo from The Art Story

*Most of the ideas and resources above come from We Are Teachers.  Below are additional links to consider.

Library of Congress

National Museum of the American Latino

Common Sense Education

National Council for History Education