2013-14 Volume 21

“If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.”

-Jim Rohm

News/Timelines/Due Dates

Seven myths about rigor – Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing seven myths about rigor in the classroom from Barbara Blackburn, author of Rigor is not a 4-Letter Word

Myth 1. Lots of homework is a sign of rigor. For many people the best indicator of rigor is the amount of homework required of students. Some teachers pride themselves on the amount of homework expected of their students, and there are parents who judge teachers by homework quantity.

Realistically, all homework is not equally useful. Some of it is just busywork, assigned by teachers because principals or parents expect it. For some students, doing more homework in terms of quantity leads to burnout. When that occurs, students are less likely to complete homework, and may be discouraged about any learning activity.

TTCT training – If you are interested in being trained to grade the TTCT which is used in the TAG process, you can find out more at http://www.coe.uga.edu/torrance/training-opportunities/at-uga-ttct-figural/ .  The county pays $6 per graded test.  See Dana Griffin if you have questions.

Coffee and Conversations – Our next session will be this Friday at 7:30.  We will be discussing school finance.  These meetings are open to all who have interest in being teacher leaders or administrators.

PRIDE –This Friday, January 24^th, will be an advisement class.  Students in all grades will be working on goal setting as well as reflecting back on their first semester grades and habits. 

Congratulations to Jennifer Lynch who received her Master of Arts in Latin from UGA in December

Where is Livingston? 

Beatriz Gyori says “It has been an honor to have the Livingston in my classroom last week and to reflect upon the importance of being a teacher at AMMS. My students were as happy as I was when they found out the Livingston was on my desk!

Now whose turn is it?  Besides being a wonderful colleague and mother, this teacher personifies the word purpose.  Children always come first in her life.  A good example of this is her ability to get to know her students' individual academic and emotional needs.  Her emphasis on teaching the whole child coupled with her creativity and content expertise allow her to design relevant lessons that truly engage and promote student learning and success. This teacher is truly a STAR teacher! I am honored to be her colleague and AMMS is truly lucky to have her among its ranks. Congratulations Stephanie Purcell!”

Happy Birthday

Debra Herrmann      January 22

Rob Tyo                       January 22

Diane Merdinger       January 23

Marion Edmonds      January 25

Emily Shaver              January 26

Nasim Kapadia          January 26