Iceberg Theory of Teaching

This week in the ASCD magazine there was a great article by Carol Ann Tomlinson, "The Iceberg Theory of Teaching"   It was a great reminder of the importance of looking below the surface to understand our student's lives and what drive's their thoughts and behaviors.  Just like an iceberg, what you can see on the surface with a student does not give you the entire picture of what is underneath the water.  Our students come to us from many different backgrounds and experiences.  On top of the pressures of being a strong academic student and completing homework, our students are dealing with real life struggles such as parent-less homes, worries of where their next meals will come from, self-images insecurities and more.  

There were many great reminders in the article, but one of the quotes that stuck with me says, "I really understand for the first time that if I think I am preparing lessons for the faces in front of me, I am making a costly mistake.  My students live beneath the surface , and I have to do whatever I can to see beneath that surface so I am prepared to reach them where they live."  This was from a college student, who was in training to be a teacher.

At Perry Central, we know the importance of understanding our students. We have been reading and learning about trauma informed care and we know the extreme importance of building relationships with our students. Our own experiences as adults can show us how difficult life can be.  We can all think of our own struggles and how hard they can be to balance and overcome. Understanding our students, who's brains and decision making skills are still being developed,  can help provide them hope and empower them to bring their best to school everyday.  

I hope you can find time to read Carol's article.  It is a great read and a reminder of how important the little things we do everyday can make a difference.  

Important School Stuff

RTI Meeting - Monday morning 7:20 a.m. in teacher's lounge.

Congratulations to Luke Bishop!  We found out last week he is Perry County's Lilly Scholarship Winner!  Perry Central was represented so well for this scholarship - we are proud of all of our students who applied and interviewed.   

Selfie Contest - Winners this week:  Pam Hilgenhold, Carol Schwoeppe, Keith Pierrard!! 

* This Week's Challenge:  A picture of what motivates you to come to work everyday!  (Could be a student, a family member, or anything that makes you get out of bed in the morning!    You can still turn in pictures with your teams!!  

* Winners will win: Many gift cards or free periods to pick from!   Big winners will win lunch at Marcy's!  

Candy Cane Carnival - Tuesday, December 13th. Band Concert at 6:30 p.m.  

Graduation Pathway Panel:  Last week, the State Board of Education passed the Graduation Pathways!  (I added a link to a copy of the changes to your email.)  The new pathway plan will be in place for the current 7th grade class, but we can also use the plan as an option for students who are juniors - 8th grade.  The plan works to increase experiences in areas such as college and career readiness, including professional skill experiences that students need in our 21st Century Economy.  We are excited about these changes, as it will help us focus more on our student strengths by eliminating retesting for ISTEP and ECAs. (Due to federal law, we will have a test that students will have to take in 7th, 8th and high school, but they do not have to pass it to graduate.)  We will share more of these changes with you as more guidance is released.  Perry Central students are already mostly meeting the new expectations, so we do not see many big changes coming to our students.  Thank you to Vanessa Johnson for sitting on the State Board of Education Committee and Mary Roberson for testifying at the SBOE meeting and to all of you for creating programs that put Perry Central on the map!

Important Dates:

Monday, December 11th - RTI Meeting 7:20 a.m. 

Tuesday, December 12th - Candy Cane Carnival 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 13th - Wellness Committee Meeting. 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, December 14th - Girls Varsity Basketball @ home vs. Tecumseh 5:30 p.m.

Friday, December 15th - Boys Varsity Basketball @ Springs Valley  5:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 16th - Girls Varsity Basketball Holiday Tourney @ Perry Central  10:00 a.m.

Monday, December 18th - Corporation Breakfast 7:20 a.m. High School Library

Tuesday, December 19th - Faculty Meeting 7:20 a.m./ Christmas Lunch/ Ribbon Cutting-Open House for Commodore Manufacturing

Final Exam Schedule:  Thursday, December 21 - Periods 2, 4, 5, 6  (Block Periods)
                                      Friday, December 22 - Periods 1, 3, 5, 7 (Block Periods)  *5th period is the only period that is not a block of time due to schedule.)