I am an educator, a teacher and most importantly, a learner. This fall, I will begin my fourteenth year of teaching. I have been lucky to receive professional development on balanced literacy and have taken summer courses on the reading and writing workshop from Teacher’s College.
While reading Mission Possible: How the Secrets of the Success Academies can Work in Any School by authors Eva Moskowitz and Arin Lavinia, thoughts of the new school year came together and it gave good reminders of what needs to be done to support all kinds of learners in the classroom. Planning and being prepared are two of the ways to increase rigor in the classroom and motivate students. I will be doing a lot of this as I am heading to second grade for the first time. I will be using my knowledge of third grade and kindergarten to support my students during workshop and throughout the day. I look forward to continued professional development in these areas so that I may grow as a learner and support my students as best as I can.
Stagnation, being unable to accomplish one’s job at a high level, is one of the greatest sources of low teacher morale. Why is this? Although this country expects the world of its teachers, there are many areas around the U.S. where teachers are given no professional development and very low salaries. The inequity is scary. The ideals spoken about in the book regarding literacy are not just strategies that one can just learn in a book. One needs to understand the philosophy behind workshop so that they can best teach it. Working together as a staff with the principal is integral for the success to be as strong as it is in the Success Academies.
Mission Possible is a conversation starter. I recommend it for all educators. It also comes with a DVD of minilessons across the grades.
One lucky reader will win a copy of Mission Possible. All you need to do is leave a comment below letting me know that you would like to win. This giveaway will end 11:59 PM on August 18. Open to U.S. residents only.
I was compensated for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
Hello Kerri! I would love to read this book!