Purposeful Choices

• I give students choices.
• I honor student voices.
• I blend lessons with technology, art, and face-to-face learning opportunities.
• I read professional educator growth and idea books constantly.
• I talk to students to find out who they are, what they love, and why.
• I challenge myself to improve, every single day. 
• I collaborate with other educators.
• I learn as a leader, and I lead by learning.
• I reflect.

Writers' Notebooks

Students need special times to write, and explore their thinking, their voice. They also need special places to write, such as writer's notebooks. Most importantly, however, students need authentic audiences, which is what digital formats and platforms provide. Teaching students to write in today's classroom requires blending pen and paper with relevant, innovative experiences. 

Genius Hour

Students need time to not only develop a growth mindset, but also to explore their innovative ideas, and develop an innovative mindset. Purposeful teaching of the habits of mind, passions, and collaboration are skills & strategies necessary for the successful future of all students! 

Reading Rocks! 

Students become lovers of reading through the practice of reading, through the sharing of books, and through the exploration of texts that matter to them! Providing large amounts of time for students to explore books they select empowers them to own their reading and develop reading lives. Authentic interaction and experiences ignite excitement within the classroom. 

Gamification! 

Most recently, I have committed to creating game-based learning experiences in my classroom. My goal is not as much to engage my learners, but to empower them to be in control of their own learning experiences. More student choice and voice! 

Through game-based learning, students can work on strengthening habits of success. Great power exists in the depth of the ice supporting the visible iceberg; students need to see this, experience this, and own this.