teachersloft.org

Linking Data to Student Learning and Informing Instruction

teachers — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 14:28:33 +0000

After several rounds of engaged professional conversation, we are coming full circle to explicitly link the teacher inquiry projects to student learning. While you have been doing this all along, please document and share here an example(s) of how your data is linking to student learning and informing instruction (Please keep in mind this is a public forum so all no real names of people or places will be used.)

March 15 you all will cross-reference your on-going instruction, inquiry and observations with the PPA in class.

Now on with the documentation…

Revisiting and Focusing Your Inquiry

teachers — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:18:27 +0000

On or before Friday, February 4th please share the documentation of your Revisiting and Focusing Your Inquiry here. Then reply to each person on or before Tuesday, Feb 8th.

Then we are going to a bit outside our own conversation. Once we have replied to each other please invite at least one other educator you know to offer their voice to the posts.

Context Study

teachers — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:50:24 +0000

Learning from Community and Professional Literature

It was wonderful to hear how your inquiry projects are developing. And I know some braved snow for a work session last night. When we meet again on January 18th we will all have the Context Study ready to share out and distribute (power point or in text). Please remember the following:

-Tell us (via your power point or in text) what we need to know about the context in which you work. More formal demographics of the community, school and district culture, resources and highlights in the community as well as the parent user perspective and more publicly accessible information. As we listen on Tuesday, we will be certain to tell you what more we feel we need to and want to know as “outsiders”.

-Use the professional literature to further your own understanding AND identify what important aspects of your inquiry topic we all need to know to support you as colleagues. (Your ppt or text document should include this.) Please bring enough copies of one article to share with us.

We will post as many of these resources as possible here after the 18th.

Teaching All Students, Reaching Special Education Students

teachers — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 20:28:48 +0000

This past week we read Chapter Eight in Reeves, D. (Ed). (2007). Ahead of the curve: The Power of assessment to transform teaching and learning. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press about designated special education students.

Please post and identifying something new that you learned from the chapter be it a strategy, an operational assumption or some other theoretical or practice aspect of teaching students with designated special needs.

Then thinking about our discussions about the PPA and your own professional learning and growth, what does this chapter compel you to try or modify to meet the needs of all learners. Post enough to capture your thinking so we may respond. (Part Two)

Please complete Part One and Two by the end of December 14, 2010.

Please be certain to reply to each colleague’s post by December 21, 2010.

English Language Learners and Teaching Practice

teachers — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 20:25:46 +0000

This past week we read Chapter Seven in Reeves, D. (Ed). (2007). Ahead of the curve: The Power of assessment to transform teaching and learning. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press which addresses assessment and English Language Learners.

Please post and identifying something new that you learned from the chapter be it a strategy, an operational assumption or some other theoretical or practice aspect of teaching English Language Learners. (Part One)

Then thinking about our discussions about the PPA and your own professional learning and growth, what does this chapter compel you to try or modify to meet the needs of all learners. I recognize this is an especially pointed question for English content teachers. Post enough to capture your thinking so we may respond. (Part Two)

Please complete Part One and Two by the end of December 14, 2010.

Please be certain to reply to each colleague’s post by December 21, 2010.

Welcome to The Teachers’ Loft blog

TTLadmin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:34:44 +0000

Welcome to The Teachers’ Loft blog, a virtual gathering space which compliments the work ocurring in our physical loft space. The Teachers’ Loft was established to “alter the status quo of teacher isolation by inviting teachers to take part in local, collaborative, professional development.” And with this blog we seek to once again, “we provide a unique “third space” for teachers that is separate from yet complements the more typical venues for teacher learning.

This blog space is utilized for professional learning and colleagial exchange. All posts are public and should respect the confidentiality of any and all persons, including students and families. Given this forum is designated for reflection and inquiry it requires professional language, conventional written communication and descriptive language. As an extension of the norms at The Teachers’ Loft, we ask all responses to be thoughtful and respectful. All responses should be insightful enough to encourage growth and offered constructively.

As this blog begins Waiting for Superman is opening in movie theaters around the country. Join us in an exchange about this representation of teaching and public schools in America today.

If you have questions pr concerns, please email infoteacherloft.org.

The Teachers’ Loft Work Continues to Fulfill

teachers — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:37:35 +0000

The Teachers Loft is continuing to carefully steward our work and programing in order to fulfill our mission. We thank the many individual teachers and supporters who have been with us the whole way and welcome new people to join us as we continue in our work to support new teachers and promote teacher leadership.

TIMELI Program Beginning

TTLadmin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:59:04 +0000

This September, in collaboration with Western New England College, The Teachers Loft is launching the TIMELI program. This Teacher Induction, Mentoring, Empowerment, and Leadership Initiative (TIMELI) is an approved path to teacher licensure. Find out more inside under Get Involved. We are taking application now so please contact us if you have any questions.

Donate to The Teachers’ Loft

TTLadmin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:58:22 +0000

Each year kind people like you who want to contribute to successful teaching and learning make a contribution to The Teachers’ Loft. We make the most of every dollar donated with minimal overhead so teachers, and their students, benefit the most from your generosity. Thank you for making The Teachers’ Loft a part of your annual giving.

Program Helps New Teachers

TTLadmin — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 16:48:58 +0000

The Reminder 1-24-07 (pdf)