The importance of student-teacher relationships: From the mind of a 6th grader...

At our all staff district kick-off event, our superintendent asked a 6th grade student from one of our elementary schools to speak on the critically important topic of student-teacher relationships.

Imagine how nervous this student was to speak in front of 400+ adults on what it means to have positive relationships between students and teachers.

Though scared and nervous... I think he nailed it!


Here are Tanner's top tips for good relationships between students and teachers:

1). Good relationships with students increase their focus because if you like your teacher, you're going to pay attention to her/him.

2). Relationships decide what type of attitude your classroom has. If you have good relationships with your students, you will probably have less 'I don't want to learn attitudes.'

3). Relationships decide a student's attitude toward school and affect their self-esteem. A good relationship between a teacher and a student helps their self-esteem because the student knows you care about them and they want to think good about themselves.

4). Your relationship with your students mostly decides how much respect you get.

What a powerful message from a 6th grade student! Thank you for sharing this important message with our staff Tanner!

#tarteineurope was born...

If you've seen any of my tweets lately, you may have noticed I am out of town.

I'm currently traveling with my wife as she is in Europe for work. This seemed like an opportunity of a lifetime for us both to be in Europe and have the opportunity to see three different European countries in a short timespan.

You also probably know that the school year is in full swing and that by being out of the country, I'm obviously missing work.

This didn't really sit well with me since I pride myself on being available and responding quickly to those in need.

Having said all of this, I worked with our district technology coordinator, Josh Hall, and our WITs (Wildcat instructional technologists) in my district on ways we can make this personal experience for my wife and I a global and collaborative learning experience for students and staff back home in my district.

That was when #tarteineurope was born as the official hashtag of the trip.

Basically, as I travel and experience new things in Europe, I will tweet out images and short Vine videos. Simple enough...

We are encouraging students and staff at all levels to use the information I am sharing as they need it and as warranted with what they are currently doing in their classes.

So far we have had a 3rd grade class work on a 'where are you' mystery experience and we've had a high school geography course talk about the geography and terrain of the Netherlands.

Here's hoping this experience for my wife and I will be a wonderful learning experience for many others and encourage students and staff to appreciate our global differences, as well as possibly encourage others to travel abroad and experience this for themselves.

The changing face of classroom instruction

Josh Hall, the instructional technology specialist in my district, will be doing a presentation with me at the Fall MSBA/MASA conference.

Our topic is the changing face of classroom instruction. No matter where you, your school, or your district is, we are challenged as educators to create an engaging, relevant, and purposeful learning environment for our students. This is no easy task... but please do enjoy our presentation and hopefully you will get a couple ideas!