Saturday, April 28, 2018

Voice


Student Voice:
This school year has been filled with finding opportunities to amplify my students’ voice/choice in the classroom and beyond our four walls. I have found that increasing these opportunities has created a classroom that belongs to my students. A key component to this shift is listening. I have listened to the ideas, opinions, beliefs, and passions of my students. These are the things that have shaped our classroom this year. John Spencer and A.J. Juliani pinpointed this when they remind us to ask, “What decisions am I making for students that they could make for themselves? We need to shift from providing choices to inspiring possibilities.”

*As we have been preparing for state testing, I had some students that took the initiative to encourage their peers. Teachers encourage students all the time, but hearing these affirmations from your peers is powerful.  Their voices were genuine and encouraging for the entire grade level. Their voices left everyone inspired to do their best!

*AVID nights: Students have been given a voice at our AVID nights. 5th graders have shared what it means to be responsible, create S.M.A.R.T.  goals, and collaborate with their parents. They have been given the power to run the meetings. Their voices have shaped our learning throughout the year while we have partnered with their families.

*Flipgrid has given our students an outlet to share their voice with teachers, staff, and other grade levels at Sigler. My students have shared why teachers are special, growth mindset messages with younger grades, what students in 4th grade should be excited for 5th grade camp, and have shown evidence of their learning in all subject areas.

*Students have the choice in what they read during class. We work together to find books that spark that love for reading and a good story. My students have had the opportunity to share their voice by using a Padlet to recommend books to their classmates and another used to summarize the book without giving away the ending! Students beg for independent reading time.

*Listening to student voices: Just this past week I had a student ask to come talk with me alone. He told me that without me as his reading teacher this year he didn’t know that he would love reading as much as he does now. This is a student that has struggled and forced himself to “read” this year. Hearing him verbalize how this year has changed his perspective of reading literally stopped me in my tracks. My number one goal is to expose students to stories that grab them and make them want to read more. The only way you will love reading is to read more and search for stories that change you. The only way you will become a better read is if you read. His voice reminded me of my why.

I am only at the beginning of this process, but it has proven that adding in student voice has forever changed my classroom to become a one that is filled with empowered learners.


Teacher Voice:
My voice has also been amplified this year. I told myself a year ago that taking risks and being vulnerable, two things that I have not associated with myself in the past, would be the things I would focus on. While putting yourself out there is scary, it leads to growth and connection. I committed to taking risks and stepping through open doors. I am thankful for the people that have allowed me to share my voice this year.

“The doors will be open to those who are bold enough to knock.”

*Blog: I have shared my voice through my blog over the course of the past eighteen months. While blogging wasn’t really something I would have ever considered doing, a little push to get started was all it took. I have gone back and read what I have written about my journey. While I sometimes wish I was a little further along on the path, I realize that I have come a long way. Reflecting on my experiences has allowed me to be vulnerable, share my voice, and learn from the process.

*Facebook Live: During this past Season 4 #IMMOOC, I was given the opportunity to share on Facebook Live about my journey to create a learner centered classroom. I am so thankful for the nudge from Matt Arend and Allyson Apsey to share my experiences to create the conditions to empower my learners.

*Teacher training: While I have trained teachers on a variety of areas over the years, I was so thrilled to share my passion for creating wonder in the classroom with other #SiglerNation teachers. I was given the opportunity to show how our students have experienced Camp Wonderopolis in 5th grade. Teachers were able to see how I have planned the experiences and were able to engage first hand in a few of the stations where different curriculum areas collided.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to spread my love for wonder using Wonderopolis and sharing my voice with colleagues.

Partnering Voices:
“If a student voice is to be realized we need to ask ourselves how ready are we to listen, learn, and CHANGE.”  -Dr. Russell Quaglia

Our environment has been built on trust and a partnership in the classroom and school. My hope is that all of my students have felt seen, heard, and empowered during their last year in elementary school. Our principals, Matt Arend and Carrie Tracy, have modeled this for teachers and students inside and outside throughout the year. While creating the conditions for my learners, I know that I have felt seen, heard, and empowered being part of #SiglerNation this year.

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