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Let Flexibility Lead To Alignment

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  In my previous school district, I was the only teacher teaching a physics course with set, district-wide learning outcomes. These same outcomes were also taught in physics classrooms at the other high school in our district. But at our school, I was one of the 2 physics teachers. The other teacher taught the AP-level physics courses. So, in many ways, I had opportunities to incorporate strategies I believed were best for learners and that I found worked best for them without being seen as out of alignment with anyone in our building. My amazing friend and one of my teaching philosophy goddesses, Katie Novak, stated the following misconception about alignment: All teachers must deliver instruction in the exact same way. True alignment, she says, is about shared goals, rigor, and outcomes. Thank you, Katie! Katie has taught me to truly believe that learner variability is the rule, not the exception. I encourage you to take 10 minutes to listen to Katie Novak explain it in the ...
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EdCamp Elmbrook Wants You!

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In 2013, I attended my first EdCamp.  It was EdCamp Milwaukee organized by Chad Kafka, Tammy Lind, and Beth Lisowski.  At that first EdCamp, I met a lot of new faces that I would soon realize were great innovators in education.  It was the day I realized the power of a personal learning network. I learned about gamification from Michael Matera, Google tips and tricks from Jennie Magiera, fantastic tech toys from Tricia Louis, innovative PD design from Jason Bretzmann, and met essential people in my PLN like Brian Durst.

The great thing about this network was that it was not grade level or subject specific.  We all had something to contribute to the conversation and something to learn from each other. All the unconferences I have attended have been great experiences.  That is why we have a team that is organizing an EdCamp in own district. It will be held on March 25, 2017, at Brookfield Central High School in Brookfield, WI.  All are welcome and registration is free.

Registration opens on 1/1/2017. I hope you can find a way to attend.  The more sharing we have the more everyone will benefit.  

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