Why am I writing this personal entry? Well, it is not an attempt to gain any sympathy. It attempts to show what is possible if a clear intention and goal serve the learner's needs. In May of 2022 just near the end of another fantastic school year, I do not remember what happened. But, I was unable to finish the school year and was unable to teach the following year. Why? On May 21st, 2022, I fell down a flight of 16 stairs (luckily carpeted) from the 2nd to 1st story of our home. I was found at the bottom of the stairs. I was found foaming at the mouth. This would lead to a 2-month hospital stay which included an induced coma because my seizures would not stop, several rounds of lumbar punctures, and relearning basic physical movements like something as simple as being able to roll in the hospital bed. Simply put, when I was admitted to the hospital, I was diagnosed as being “critically ill.” Please take a moment and read those words: critically ill. They are not terms that are
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.
Comments
Post a Comment