Distance Learning in March

 As we figure out routines and as we make meaning of the new situation, I thought I would share some messages that I found to be inspiring.

Find important resources at the bottom of this page

 

Slow yet Steady and Sure

Sure and steady takes on multiple meanings.

1.) Personally, it meant building a schedule and getting used to a structured schedule from home. I find comfort and feel less "lost" when I have a schedule. So........
on Monday and Tuesday, I will be on campus
Since I am "on-call"  the remainder of the week, Wednesday - Friday, I  will try working from 8:30 - 2:30. I will try two hours of lesson planning, two hours of giving feedback and marking student work, and two hours of office time (answering and writing emails, answering and making phone calls. I have also set time aside to attend different scheduled virtual meetings as part of my weekly work schedule.

The week of March 30 will be my first full week at this schedule. I will keep you posted. As I imagine the transition to distance learning and sheltering in place will bring its ebb and flow of emotions for me.

2.) Professionally, it meant breathing, lots of breathing, as I figure out this distance learning thing. I was inundated with 100s of offers and supports regarding digital platforms and free online resources.  I felt obligated to design a central plan for instruction and develop a central plan for support - and two weeks ago.
I watched the staff at each site and in each department experience a similar set of tumultuous emotions.
I wanted to fix the situation for everyone instantaneously.
I wanted to have the answers for the staff right at the moment.
I wanted the students to feel the support and love.
I wanted to equip them with the internet and a device.
I wanted the students to find the instruction, the resources, and the necessary scaffolds to engage and succeed in their learning.
Arghh.......

And you can imagine the trials and tribulations as I watched video after video and then tried to emulate the directions to successfully enter the world of Google Classroom......and to successfully run my first Google Meet or Zoom session.

You know like when I assigned all my assignments for students in the post and announcement sections.

Or when I loaded that video but none of my students could see the video link.

Or when I started my first Google Meet and I am talking away while no one can hear me but they can see my lips moving. Right, I forgot to unmute my sound.


It is okay to be laughing right now.


So in response to the above emotions, I am coming to terms with the situation in the following way:

• We are building the plane as we fly.
• We all have huge hearts and great intent to figure how how to continue to best serve our students academically and social-emotionally.
• It is worth figuring "this" out together. Collaboration and working together is more paramount than ever.
• I continue to be impressed with how the people of Konocti continue to rise to the challenge and join together.

Highlights

• Nearly 100% of the staff at LLHS have embraced learning and using Google Classroom as a viable and sustainable way to teach students while apart.
• Instructional coaches continue to wrap their heads around supporting staff in their delivery of good instruction.
• Site principals and staff show up every Monday for the face to face or virtual staff meeting.
• Transportation and Food Services did not skip a bit in nourishing students each and every day.
• Custodial staff maintain their unwavering commitment to ensuring the buildings are not only clean but safe and sanitary for staff, students, and families
• Library Media Specialists upgrading the on-line resources and books through their website at destiny.konocti.org
• The department office staff and site office staff who's presence and knowledge allow the essential daily business to continue each and every day. 

I could continue the highlights. This is not an exhaustive list. I want to paint the picture that every member of Konotic Unified is contributing to the well-being of our students, whether assisting in the distance learning and/or to the meal services. Konocti Unified = you are amazing!

What Else Am I Discovering? 

1. Collaboration. I think about all the structures that Konocti Unified already had established to support and collaborate.
For example, when school was in session, each site principal held site collaboration every other Thursday. The collaborative time was usually devoted to instructional practices and planning.  With school still session yet from afar, such conversations and planning can still happen through a virtual platform like Zoom or GoogleMeets

2. Quality First Instruction. 

While instruction and learning maybe from afar now, principals and teachers are still striving to afford effective instruction and we are still striving for s student engagement.  For example, we know that with good instruction, we still need to arrange for some type of instruction explaining and showing students what is expected and how to succeed.......maybe it is to model reading the passage and the annotating for certain information...... or maybe it is to teach and show them how to solve two-step equations. 
For good instruction, we know then that we still need to let students practice that passage and annotation or practice solving those two-step questions. 
For good instruction, we know we still need to monitor the student learning and progress and respond accordingly and in a timely fashion.

3. Deep Student Learning and Well-being. 

Staff still want students to learn at deep levels. With success in their academics, well-being often also resides. 
We still want students to be engaged and actively participate in their own learning journeys.  
We still want students to have the “know-how” to be resourceful in tackling the work, to get unstuck if they hit a problem, and to accurately complete the assignments. 
As teachers, we still want to monitor student work and give feedback to their progress. Such attention and feedback not only improve the academics, but the attention and feedback can also foster a sense of belonging and importance,  and a sense of accomplishment.

Remember that many of the on-line resources are being updated and housed in one handy location.

Here is the link to the on-line resources for students and families http://konoctiusd.org/?p=10618
The students can find the information on the front page of the Konocti Website.

The staff can find their information under the tab "distance Learning" which is housed under the tab STAFF which can found at both the Konocti website and can be found at each of your school's respective sites.
Here is the link to the on-line resources for staff http://konoctiusd.org/?page_id=10610&preview=true

The Folder with staff resources is being updated weekly. 

In the Staff resources folder, you can also find incredible helpful information and how-to guides for some of the virtual platforms such as Google Classroom, Zoom, and Googe Meets, uTube Video.

Please continue to share your valuable resources and how-to information with me. I will work towards compiling the information into this one location so that it can be readily shared with all staff throughout Konocti.

"In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”  ― Mahatma Gandhi