While driving home after school, I was thinking to myself about how I never put together a post celebrating the great, innovative practices taking place at New Richmond Middle School along with the great people who make it all work on a daily basis.
When I arrived at school today (Friday, May 11) we were having a staff meeting to announce teacher of the year. My colleague’s chose me as Teacher of the Year and the email below is what I sent out, and I though it would make for a great blog post. A way to stop, reflect, and celebrate all of the good things from this school year. At the end of the day, how can one person be chosen when we all work so hard?
To the Middle School Staff,
Thank you for honoring me as Teacher of the Year, but I don’t know how one person can be chosen. We all work so hard, take things home, and deal with so many unknown things on a daily basis. It’s inspiring to see so many awesome, innovative practices happening this year. Some things that come to mind:
1. The “Cruisin to the AIR Test” challenge from Nathan and Ali.
2. The BookSnaps used for Anne Frank and the Holocaust.
3. Allie’s cool survival project.
4. Seeing Andrew’s students walking around the building snapping pictures of angles with Ipads and transferring them to a Google Slide Presentation.
5. Seeing Tina’s blended learning stations and creating multiple ways for students to show what they know.
6. Greg and Erin with volleyball stations using flipgrid and youtube to have students improve volleyball skills.
7. Becky’s awesome game board project with the Industrial Revolution, slavery, and differences between North and South.
8. Toby’s project with students recording a Renaissance newscast – they were so engaged and had fun.
9. Tiffany setting up the Innovator’s Mindset Book Study.
10. The earthquake building project from Tina and Doug.
11. Tracy’s biome project that students created – they loved doing that project and were proud of what they created.
12. Beth’s project for The Giver where students created a “perfect society” – it was neat seeing what the students came up with to create a Utopia.
13. Malissa’s awesome (and heavy looking) glass table for flexible seating.
14. The dedication of the Special Ed Teachers to their students – Deb, Karla, Trevor, and Tony – you guys are awesome!
15. Amy’s awesome art projects – the horse in the lobby is so cool! Plus, being chosen to present on blended learning at the Art Museum is a testament to what you do on a daily basis.
16. Court setting up a Professional development library for everyone – EduProtocols is a book you will want to get your hands on! Great, usable student centered lessons in there.
17. Rhonda and the kitchen staff for keeping us fed – please try the sausage, egg, and cheese! The custodians for making this building clean and organized. Mindy for great mints and Tylenol.
18. Ms. Gulley’s leadership conference and AAA incentive are great for students and help build school culture.
If I left anyone out, I’m sorry. But this is what stands out in mind from this year. Changing culture takes time, and everything listed above is what makes the middle school a wonderful place. There are many great innovative practices happening around this building, and I just wanted to highlight those things that stand out to me.
Thank You,
Adam Moler
Moler's Musings 