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Thank You for 20 Years.

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After 20 years of teaching at Brookfield Central, I am saying goodbye. Although I spent the majority of that time in the physics classroom alongside my learners. That changed for my last 18 weeks. I ended up in a place similar to where I started, teaching chemistry and biology. So, rather than dealing with juniors and seniors at the end of their high school careers, I was in classrooms with freshmen and sophomores still trying to find their place. At the same time, I was learning and teaching a set curriculum I hadn't taught in over a decade. So, we were learning. But, of course, I already knew the content.  The point of this post is to take a step back, take in, and share the gratitude from the last students I had in my 20 years at Brookfield Central High School through the cards and notes they made for me on my last day with them.  I don't take many yay me moments. But after 20 years, I think I'll soak this one in.
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News Flash: Not All Students Like Tests

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So, I've presented feedback on what students asked me to change.  Now it's time to present some feedback on what students appreciated in the first term and want to see continue.  I'm not putting this out there to make my parents proud.  They don't even know I have a blog.  The reason I'm putting it out there is to let teachers know that students are looking for more personalization in their education.

I'm going to post the picture of the feedback board again so that you can see the areas students said where strengths and wanted to continue as is.


The greatest strengths are in the areas of flexibility in space and pace, choice, and voice.  The other major area is technology.  Technology has allowed for students to express themselves in different assessment formats.  Our learning management system Canvas is what allows me to manage all of this voice and choice and provide the timely feedback.  







I have to thank the following people for their role in my ability to personalize my classroom:

At BCHS, Brett Gruetzmacher and Amie Farley for their strong support as administrators and Andelee Espinosa for her help in incorporating UDL strategies.

At our Elmbrook Central Administration, Dana Monogue and Chris Thompson for starting me on this journey and continuing to promote and support all of my goals.  Also, Erik Kass is the one personl all of my students have to thank for their truly flexible learning environment.


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