Empowering Emerging EdCamp Leaders

7th Grade EdCamp 2016

In December, a wonderful, spirited group of 8th grade educators organized the first ever EdCamp for students at John Adams Middle School. Although staff had participated in something similar through professional development opportunities throughout the school year, the December opportunity was the first of its kind for students. Students and staff alike commented that this was hands down the best experience of the year! With that in mind, the 7th grade team decided they'd like to try their hand at organizing an EdCamp and this time, it would be co-facilitated by student experts!

Rock Band

The day began with a pancake breakfast. It was heartwarming to see the willingness of 8th grade student volunteers interested in serving breakfast to their 7th grade peers. It was also interesting to witness the observations of those volunteers when it came to manners. At one point, 8th graders reminded some of their younger friends to say please and thank you! The 8th graders would pause before handing out a plate, anticipating the "thank you" that should follow the exchange.

After the breakfast, 8th grade student experts and teachers went to specified session locations for any needed set-up. Because this was the last day of classes before spring recess, the excitement in the air was already present but the addition of EdCamp provided even MORE of everything...excitement, energy, entertainment, etc.

Outdoor Survival 

With over a dozen sessions from which to choose, students made selections in advance. The offerings included 3D printing, Forensics, Rock Band, Space, Dance, Fitness, Firefighting & Rescue, Origami, Archery, Photography/Videography, Cooking, Acting, Mad Science, Coding, Outdoor Survival, Military, Pharmacy, and Orchestra.

JAMS students weren’t the only co-facilitators for the day’s events; Edison High School students also joined the EdCamp by offering their expertise in the Forensics sessions. Watching the collaboration between students was great; watching the excitement and confidence of the emerging leaders as they led their peers through a topic of which they felt invigorated and alive was JAMazing!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Make it Count!

I've read a few of the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Make It Count Challenge blog posts and throughout, wondered what I'd say when it became my turn. The wait is over! Now I actually have to answer the questions of which I've been contemplating for some time. 

1. What has been ONE of your biggest struggles this school year? 
I'm a doer; I like to focus on an idea, project, vision, etc. and work toward getting it done...and getting it done correctly and with success. I don't often let obstacles get in my way. I enjoy working collaboratively (as long as those surrounding me are working hard too) but one of my struggles this year has been to slow down enough to let those around me catch up. I often get wrapped up in the excitement of the potential of a given project that rather than letting it unfold naturally and organically, I will push everyone involved to get it done and that's not always well-received. My thoughts are that our kids shouldn't have to wait until the adults get it together - our kids should have the best opportunity every day to make memories. Middle school often has a bad reputation: the hormones, the drama, the attitude. So I want to give my kids every single second I can to prove that middle school is so much more than that. Middle School is awesome! Really....it is!!

2. Share TWO accomplishments that you are proud of this year. 
A. This is our first year as a 1:1 device school and I couldn't be happier (or more proud) with how instruction has transformed. I am extremely proud that my staff has worked so hard to provide students with the opportunities unlike any I've seen so far in my time as an administrator in my current school. On any given day, learning is taking place in exciting ways. Walk down the hallways and you may see a small group of students filming outside of a classroom using a green screen, others might be using the white boards to plan out a group project, or perhaps a teacher has taken his/her class outside to create, design, or explore something unknown. Students are excited for their learning and talking about their learning - a rarity for the common middle schooler....but my kids are not commong - they are unique, talented, spirited and fun! This instructional transformation didn't happen over night; it took time, focus, energy, intention, planning, motivation, dedication, support, guidance, feedback and more - from all of us. But it's worth it and it shows..each and every day!

B. The second accomplishment for which I am so proud is the willingness of my staff to stretch beyond their comfort zone. Joining Twitter has provided me so many new ideas of which I've adopted and brought into school. Of course, there are some who are not at all interested in playing in my reindeer games but more are interested than not. Staff have also joined Twitter and shared #JAMazing news from the school on Twitter; they've also participated in a plethora of school-based activities to help promote building relationships and community: the JAMazing race, TweetOber, Ned the Knight, Genius Hour, the Knightly News, student- and staff-run EdCamps, even the Happy Teacher challenge. Do we still have work to do - absolutely! But to observe the hard work of staff translating into amazing opportunities for kids warms my heart. 

3. What are THREE things you wish to accomplish by the end of the school year? 
A. Get Makerspaces up and running! We've talked about it throughout the year but have so many other things going on that it hasn't been brought to life yet...even if we start off small and work our way into something grand, I think it will make a difference. We have so many talented students - I watch them in awe day in and day out. I want to give them every chance possible to reach their full potential and even surpass it...because I know each and every one of them can do it!
B. Provide staff background knowledge and resources necessary to move to the next level of empowering students through problem-based learning. We have worked so hard on becoming educators who provide differentiated instruction that includes student voice and choice but why not stretch beyond those boundaries to include a chance for students to direct their own learners? Why not create a space where students can teach and learn from one another while we support their learning? I am not suggesting eliminating instruction; on the contrary - I simply want to offer students some breathing room which in turn will allow them to think critically and soar!
C. I'd love to end the year on a positive note! That is definitely on my mind since I don't like the way last year ended. It didn't seem like anyone liked anyone else by the end of the school year; it wasn't a good feeling. Kids were tired of other kids and annoyed by some of their teachers (and I can't say the teachers felt differently toward the kids). I want this year to end in a way where everyone celebrates the successes of the school year and everyone is happy....okay maybe to say "everyone" is asking a bit much...but I would LOVE for the overall vibe to be more positive than last year's school ending. 

4. Give FOUR reasons why you remain in education in today's rough culture. 
A. Kids - I love watching them learn...not only about the content but about who they are, who they were before middle school, and who they hope to become in the future. 
B. Staff - I love watching and supporting them as they reach, stretch, collaborate, grow, and learn with and from one another
C. My job - I truly love what I do...more and more every day. Of course, there are always days where I question what they heck just happened and where I am but for the most part, especially this year, I really feel blessed to be surrounded by people who push me to do better, to want more, to challenge the status quo and to do what's best for kids. 
D. Teaching and learning is a remarkable combination; where else would I have such a unique experience? Where else outside of education would I be able to collaborate, interact, connect, laugh, research, plan, support, lead, teach, learn AND ride a scooter or a bike, play ping pong, take a walk, tell a joke or just have FUN?!! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else other than education!

5. Which FIVE people do you hope will take the challenge of answering these questions? 
@ksace1416 Principal of Washington School
@saralizbright Principal of Lincoln School 
@donnaabatemarco - Assistant Principal Menlo Park School
@JillMarie06 - Elementary Principal
Charlie Ross - Principal of Edison High School

A Walk to Remember

As an administrator, I often feel like I'm in a circus act, juggling the responsibilities of being an educational leader who conducts observations, meets with parents, students, & staff, oversees building maintenance and management - the list goes on! But on March 1st, I was able to hop off the big top and shadow a student for a whole school day. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced as a Principal and provided me the unique opportunity to gain perspective as an adult but through the lens of a 13 year old girl.

In preparation for my big day of shadowing, I thought a lot - specifically about the student I'd choose to shadow. I'm fortunate to have a diverse population of learners in my school so at first, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go with a stellar student who constantly makes the All A Honor Roll or someone at the opposite end of the spectrum. After thought and consideration, I decided not to go with either of those options and instead, I'd follow an 8th grade student who some might describe as "average " (although I immediately learned she is far from average in any way, shape, or form). I chose a student I didn't know particularly well but have interacted with once or twice.

Did I have hesitations? Absolutely! I feared I would get bored, hungry, tired - many of the same feelings I am sure some students encounter daily. I was also afraid of what I didn't know. What would I see? What wouldn't I see? Would the student I shadow get bored, hungry, and/or tired and then want to ditch me before the day was through?

My fears disappeared as soon as the day began and I was welcomed into homeroom - not only by the student I shadowed but the entire class of students. Students are provided breakfast in homeroom so I, too, was immediately provided breakfast (a blueberry muffin, an apple, and chocolate milk). This was an instant conversation starter as students wanted to bring to my attention that apples get boring and it would be nice to have more of a variety. Many also pointed out that the apple was "dirty" which really just meant it had a small bruise on it.

Before I knew it, the day was in full swing and I shadowed my student from homeroom to Spanish, science, English, social studies (where there was a substitute teacher) and math. My student was open and honest about all of her likes and dislikes. Without being asked, she told me the name of her favorite teacher as well as her least favorite teacher. She shared that she expected people to act differently in front of me while I shadowed her and then pointed out specific instances when she felt this was happening. (Her prediction was that teachers would be nicer and students more well-behaved than any ordinary day.) She was clear on things she wanted me to work toward improving in the school: there are too many students in the hallway at once and she feels students should be allowed to choose whatever physical fitness activity they want over a whole class activity directed by the teacher.

Throughout the day, I shared my recollection of middle school and how much things have changed. Clearly, technology has had a HUGE impact on teaching and learning. The benefits of being a 1:1 device school became abundantly clear when in the first class of the day I got to see a YouTube video of Conjugations Back (remember Justin Timberlake's SexyBack?) before we started conjugating verbs. This immediately made us all laugh and broke the ice to get us started.

In most classes, students sat in groups and collaborated in an effort to complete assignments (another big difference from back in the day). However, the student I shadowed and I both agree that in all classes we attended, there was a lack of movement. Don't get me wrong, I've been in these same classes on days where teachers have stopped to provide students with "brain breaks" or included Move It as a means to get kids up and moving - it just didn't happen on this day. Of course, not shy about adding this to the list, my student wants to be able to move around more throughout a given class period...and who could blame her...certainly not me!

The day was filled with so many nuggets of greatness: not only getting to know MY student but also getting to know her friends and friends of her friends. I enjoyed her brutal honesty (telling me the boys at her table told her in advance not to bring me to their lunch table because it would cramp their style), maturity (telling me about the "drama" and how to make it stop), and willingness to answer all of my questions (even when she knew I might not like the answers). But the highlight of the day (for both of us) was something so simple yet so powerful; the highlight of the day was a walk we took right after lunch. Although the walk took place during our designated PE period, it just so happened maintenance was taking place in the gym so last minute, I decided instead of sitting inside, I'd take my student for a walk outside during which time she shared some of her future goals and details about her family life. There was so much I didn't know before this experience and wouldn't have known had we not taken the walk. Afterward, she told me she'd like to walk again on a "normal" day.

Before I knew it the day was over - it went by so quickly! One day later, the student I shadowed stopped by my office with a friend right after lunch and asked to go for a walk.  How do I say no to that? I don't! #shadowastudent

Twas the Night Before the Google Visit.....

'Twas the Night Before the Google Visit and all through my house.....I couldn't stop talking about everything I'd hope to see, explore, learn, discover, hear, touch, etc. The feeling I had was one similar to that of a child the night before Christmas - excitement abounding! It was surreal that this day had finally arrived, especially since I had only asked Rich Kiker "once or twice" if he could arrange a visit. (And of course he came through, after all - he IS Rich Kiker!)

I had the pleasure of experiencing this venture with my pal, Kristen Tsaoys who I believe was equally excited for our field trip. Both of us, all grown up and walking from Penn Station to the Google building, were so enthralled in our conversation, we actually walked past it...which answered our first question: there is no huge sign or billboard saying: THIS is the Google building!

Our time at Google NYC can be divided into three parts and described in three words. Awesome, Incredible, and Inspiring!

Part One: Awesome! For the first part of the day, Kristen and I had the privilege and honor of joining two other school districts who are not quite Google yet but looking to hop on the train. We were able to share our experiences in an effort to help guide both districts efforts to create their own plan. While the meeting was led by Rich Kiker and Alix Braverman (who works for Google), Kristen and I felt equally important to just talk the talk and surround ourselves with such greatness. Oh, and did I mentioned the huge wall-to-wall white board that surrounded us along with the enormous screen where Alix was able to show our new friends some recent Google highlights?!? The day could have ended after the meeting and I would have been content but lucky for me, there was SO much more to see and do!

Part Two: Incredible! We had worked up quite the appetite after such a fruitful discussion so after the meeting, Alix took us to where "Googlers" eat lunch. Wow! What an experience. With options galore and packs of people eating together, this part of the day provided a real sense of family and community. No Googler sat alone and who knows what Googlers talked about....maybe the latest episode of Billions or maybe the latest and greatest of everything Google. Regardless, the energy in the room is one I'd compare to Thanksgiving dinner - not the Thanksgiving dinner where there's a family blow-up....the other kind where there's no pressure of holiday gifts looming but just a real sense of peace and camaraderie.

Part Three: Inspiring! After lunch is when we finally got to tour Google NYC. I could probably write for days and wouldn't be able to convey every detail but I will give the highlights of our 4th floor tour. It was DEFINITELY everything for which I'd hoped and dreamed! Yes, people ride scoooters, play ping pong, and listen to music in relaxing pods. Yes, there is food everywhere (no one will ever go hungry)! Yes, the hallways are themed and named - the textured glass delivers curiosity to onlookers who cannot see through it. Yes, there are plant walls.... that thrive and add to the lively atmosphere! Yes, there is a nursing room. Yes, there are special rooms to make phone calls since most offices are not individualized but open-work stations. Yes, there is space both indoors and outdoors for anyone looking to get their "play on" but what was most inspiring was seeing most of these Googlers working in disguise. The collaboration and interaction between co-workers was evident but the culture of creativity, design, exploration, and discovery was everywhere! It is the type of environment that makes one want to be the best version of him/herself!

Over lunch, I asked Alix the best and worst part about working for Google and her answer was not surprising. She said the best part are the people! Who wouldn't want to be around such creative, playful, genius minds day in and day out? And the worst part of working for Google??? Could there be such a thing?? Alix described her love for Google and the people with such passion, I couldn't imagine what the worst part would be until she disclosed the answer and then it made total sense. The worst part of working for Google is you never want to leave! That line resonates with me because I remember saying it at my opening day faculty meeting this year in reference to creating this same type of environment for kids. Imagine having a school filled with students and sharing that same experience and sentiment so they never want to leave.,. providing a culture where creativity, design, and play are part of the day to day experience?!!? It doesn't get much better than that!

I learned so much from my field trip and am so inspired! Thank you, Rich, for putting up with my repeated "requests" for a visit which in turn provided this invaluable opportunity! I am forever grateful and promise to use my Google inspiration immediately!

Students Make for JAMazing Teachers!

It was the best 45 minutes of my day on a Friday after a long week! It was a Student Focus Group comprised of two students from each grade level along with a few adults. We just sat around the table talking and there was this positive chatter and energy that I really cannot describe - you'd have to experience it yourself to truly understand the impact. Students were randomly selected; they didn't have to be the top students nor struggling learners - just students who would be open, honest, and willing to share all things JAMS. And so they did...politely of course! As two students would begin to speak at the same time, one would graciously offer the other a chance to begin first. The mutual respect and understanding these students demonstrated toward one another was commendable, especially given the fact that none of the students knew their upper or lower grade level counterpart. It was clear from the start that the commonality each shared was a love for learning and excitement toward our school!

Because of our 1:1 device initiative this year, it didn't take long before the pros and cons of this new type of learning entered the discussion. I wasn't surprised by many of the positive comments students relayed in response to how the added technology assisted with organization, research, resources, etc. However, my heart sank a bit when unanimously, students mentioned how they missed being able to interact more with other students as well as their own teachers. For example, one student noted that although they are encouraged to share documents and collaborate on that document with other students from the same class, they could be sitting right next to each other and never talk. In addition, another student mentioned how videos are incorporated into instruction now and although in many cases this helps reinforce the concept or skill being taught, it works as a deficit when it replaces the instruction from the teacher. 

I learned so much from students during this one class period. They love technology but they love other things too: spending time with their classmates and teacher(s), interacting in meaningful ways outside of something technology-based, and getting their hands dirty (specifically with science labs) are just a few items mentioned by this group. As I sat there hanging on their every word, I thought so much of this is just common sense but could it be in our effort to infuse technology to enhance instruction we may have lost sight of building relationships, communication and community-building?

Another fruitful facet of our conversation had to do with choice. Students mentioned that although choice was almost always included within assignments, the choices are not always of interest to them. For example, one student recalled a recent assignment where three historians were provided as topic options. The student had an inclination toward a fourth historian of whom wasn't an option. When I asked if the student brought it up to the teacher to see if it could be an option, the student said it was just easier to go with the options presented but that she really wasn't into it as a result.

After the discussion ended and the students went back to class, the adults in the room reflected. We all agreed that the information received was eye opening; it would help in providing our educators the information necessary to tweak instruction. It would also help in goal setting and professional development opportunities but more importantly, it would help our kids get what they deserve - experiential learning opportunities that incorporate creativity, collaboration, communication and community-building. Remember, it is clear our kids already love learning and share an excitement toward our school - in spite of some of the minor glitches each may have noted. Imagine we tweak things every so slightly based on the information they provided during the focus group. Imagine what THAT would look like?? I can't wait to see it all unfold and am forever grateful for the honesty, openness, and willingness of these students to share things of which I know will make a difference!

The #JAMazing Race by J. Valentine & K. Tsaoys

It was a hot summer’s day (August 21st to be exact) when a JAMS teacher retweeted Dave Burgess’s retweet of Misty White’s APP-Mazing Race idea! “This could be fun!” is what the teacher posted. Little did we know then JUST how much fun we’d have...from the planning, to the set-up, to the implementation, to reviewing the feedback - a #JAMazing time was had by all!

The timing was perfect since the 2015-2016 school year was about to start and we would begin a 1:1 device initiative using chromebooks. In order to succeed with this extremely exciting journey, we needed our teachers to be open-minded, flexible, and supported  More importantly, we wanted to create something awesome that teachers would find relevant, meaningful, and useful for classroom use. After all, our kids deserve the very best! #Makingmemories

The original plan Misty created was spread over the course of a few days. Our version would need revision since it would serve as this year’s PLC kick-off where time is always of the essence! PLC start time begins at 3:15 and ends at 4:30 so the planning needed to be perfect.

The first planning day took place in September. We discussed our vision: allowing staff to work together as a team while learning about different APPS and having fun! FUN was a key component! We discussed challenges, clues, team captains, prizes and t-shirts - the list goes on and on.   To really get the excitement going we wanted to place a bug in their ear to get them thinking about what they were going to experience during the #JAMazing Race.  Thank you Twitter!

During our intense brainstorming session we created five challenges that we felt would help our teachers learn but also could be replicated in the classroom. Each challenge seemed to have a stamp of approval from each member of the planning team. Some of us were way more enthused than others but having someone who wasn’t overly enthused on the team was helpful, this allowed us to anticipate how some staff members may react. Those moments didn’t bring us down though, we knew some wouldn’t like the plan but we also guessed that the majority would love it.

Here’s what we created:

• Challenge 1:  Discover a platform to share their learning.
• Challenge 2:  Embrace the power of a Selfie
• Challenge 3:  Create an Edpuzzle
• Challenge 4:  Have a Google Hangout
• Challenge 5:  Tweet out their Learning

As the day drew near, we worked feverishly to make sure all the details were covered: teachers had to form teams, we created hints that would be fun by using youtube videos and QR codes. The weekend before the JAMazing Race took place we had a working brunch where we made t-shirts for JAMazing Race Facilitators and Champs. Every aspect had to be FUN...if the teachers were having fun then we were hoping it would mirror in their classrooms.

After some smack-talk in the twitter universe, the day arrived and the excitement was contagious. Some staff came dressed in team colors, others created team names; ALL came to win! The start of the race was pretty simple. The staff convened in the cafeteria and were given a brief overview of the rules: they must collaborate, follow their team color-coded QR codes, not to coerce the judges in any way but most of importantly have FUN!!! With only one hour and fifteen minutes….every minute mattered!!!

With the sound of the whistle, the teams began the first challenge like their lives depended on it. The challenges were varied in that team clues lead them to different locations around the campus.  This allowed no teams to just follow one another.  Once at that location, they would use the Scan QR app to open the challenge doc and get to work.

The timing was planned perfectly! Although groups finished at varying times, we set up a short reflection piece for each team to complete after passing through the finish line. Meanwhile, the other teams were able to complete their mission while our judges kept tally of who was in the lead. (This is an important part to note since at first, it seemed confusing to a few of our teams. The team who finished first may have initially thought they won the race but because our challenges were based upon varying point totals, it was the team with the highest number of points who won the race.)

While challenges took place, race facilitators were stationed in each challenge location. The facilitators were not privy to the details of the race, this allowed us to create authentic learning experiences where teams worked together...and did they ever! The excitement, fun, laughter, and silly moments were never lacking!

Once all the teams finished, they were directed to reconvene in the cafeteria where first, second, and third place winners were announced - along with their point totals since the scores were so close! A round of applause was provided to the first place team along with their choice of two prizes and the JAMazing Race Champs 2015 t-shirts!

One of the best parts of the whole JAMazing race experience was what later happened in clasrooms. Teachers were so excited with what they learned that we started to see some of the challenges revisited throughout the school; teachers took the concept and made it their own in and out of the classroom. Students scurried through the hallways to find different QR codes and excitedly shared what they were doing and why. Word traveled and soon, other students knew what they would encounter as they got to certain classes throughout the day - it truly was #JAMazing!

Making Memories Over Memorization!

I've been thinking about my first blog for about a week now and before I get started, I will say - there was definitely this underlying pressure involved with coming up with something I thought would be of interest. Would anyone want to read what I write? Do I have anything really important to say? But then today, a staff member talked about his reflection of a recent book he read and how this year he is going into the school year not caring what anyone else thinks. If he wants to be goofy, he will be goofy - if he wants to dole our high fives or fist pumps, he will do that too. So there I was...inspired and encouraged to just begin to blog until my heart's content and not care what anyone else thinks! And so away I go....

With a little over a week until the start of the 2015-2016 school year, a lot of thought, planning, purpose, and collaboration have gone into what I hope to be an AMAZING school year. Of course, there are a lot of cool gadgets and gizmos that will hopefully, ignite the spark to learning. From 3D printers to Lego construction to Genius Hour to stationary bikes to white boards boards for challenge questions (thanks Twitter peeps for so many inspiring ideas)!! The possibilities are endless.

However, gadgets and gizmos aside, what I really hope to make happen this year are awesome learning experiences for students. I want students to come to JAMS daily with a fire burning inside of them for the unknown; at the same time, I want them to leave yearning to come back and excited to talk to anyone and everyone about their experiences. This won't happen on its own. Although many students love the socialization of school - seeing their friends, etc. It will take more than just that to lure them into daily amazing experiences and the idea that school is cool! It will take intention and effort from every adult. It will take building connections, personalizing learning, supporting risk taking, and so much more to make this happen - and why shouldn't it happen; kids deserve it!

I've heard students describe the school day as "boring" where they learned "nothing" at one time or another as I'm sure others have as well. What if THIS year had the potential to be different? What if THIS year students were able to explore curiosity, discover new learning paths, and have fun - THIS is what learning should look like. No student should be burdened with memorization of facts or content. Instead, each and every student should have the opportunity to make memories each and every day. It will be the memories made in each classroom that will make for one AMAZING school year. So why not now? Let's all make it happen!