Melissa Morrison’s Post

The Value of Student Comments is the Best Indicator of a Teacher’s Success   A good teacher is not measured by having excellent college readiness, by the number of courses taken for professional development, or by having the ability and audacity to prepare a very sophisticated education plan. A good teacher is measured by their ability to conduct a class and express their knowledge. It is very important for the teacher not to forget that life is always changing, and that a good teacher is the one who lets students conduct the class, and the teacher is only the means to guide the teaching ship. That is, the teacher is the mediator between the learner, and the understanding of the matter, a facilitator.    "A good teacher is not the one who expects colleagues to tell them that they are a good teacher. A good instructor is measured by students' comments that with their assessments reward you with excellent feedback. A good teacher is not the one who expects their professional colleagues to tell them, “You’re the best,” this phrase is what you as a teacher refer to in the classroom when your students are learning what you teach." Therefore, it is students who decide if your teaching is effective or not. Students are the clients of the product that we as teachers sell education. This is an example of a student’s comment:    “He/she is by far the best instructor I have ever had. Not only is he/she fun and always smiling, but when he/she sees that you are struggling, he/she makes sure to slow down and explain it so that you not only feel better about the subject, but you have confidence to continue. He/she believes in his/her students and has shown us all love.” Students are the ones that judge your performance as a teacher. These are the comments you should value; not what colleagues tell you. #teaching #leadership #learning #teacher #development #education #students #book #newauthor #lifeadvice #ability #audacity #goodteacher #thinking #true #appreciation

The interesting thing about being a teacher is that you don’t know how much influence you have. it’s a huge responsibility to get it right and to help influence future generations for the better "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠." is a book I wished I had when I started my journey as a teacher. The book is designed to help teachers improve their skills and make their classrooms more engaging and effective. It is a guide, especially for aspiring teachers who wish to start their teaching journey but are not sure of what it takes to be a great teacher. The book has a takeaway for every educator as it discusses the following aspects - Attitudes and Traits/ Skill Set/ Mindset/ Art of Questioning and Happiness. it offers practical suggestions to help educators become the best version of themselves. Thank you to all the teachers who have already found value in "The Art of Teaching." Your feedback is inspiring Let’s continue to make a difference , one lesson at a time. click on the link in the comment section to grab your copy. https://amzn.in/d/0eIB36jw #ArtOfTeaching #Education

READING! READING! READING! A few years back, I hated teaching reading because I just didn’t know what to do and how to do it in a way that brings spice, interest, and challenge in the classroom. I didn’t want to stick with read and answer. I was looking for something novel, something children will remember and feel interested of what they’re reading. When I came up with new researches and strategies, I found the response I was looking for. Well, it still is not perfect every time, but it was no longer “Read and Write” kind of thing. This week, I introduced a new discussion strategy with the students - Joanne Miller’s Accountable Talk and Table Talk Method! Here, students talk about their opinions, answer to prompts, ask questions, clarify answers, disagree to answers respectfully and even agree as well. In the meantime, students still find it hard to say they disagree but we will get there. (Gradual routine mastery) This resource can be used during big group discussions as well. A lot of them have used it to say “I would like to add on, Miss” and raised the add on card! What a joy this is!! 💙💙💙 Makes me so excited to come back to class this week to see these kids in action again and see what they can do and more! #teaching #strategyinteaching #classroommanagement #reading #loveforreading #questioning

On the back of yesterday's book recommendation for leaders in schools..... This is my recommendation for teachers. Shaun Allison and Andy Tharby's Making Every Lesson Count was the first teaching and learning book that I read that made everything seem simple. 6 clear concepts are presented that discuss what should happen in each lesson (or series of lessons) to drive progress. These principles - challenge, explanation, modelling, deliberate practice, questioning and feedback - are ones that teachers at every stage of their career can get behind and the practical examples are great. It also led to a wide range of subject specific follow ups that I would also recommend. I constructed a whole teaching and learning framework around this book and wouldn't be afraid to use it as a starting point again.

The question 'Would I like having myself as my teacher?' is powerful in its simplicity. It cuts directly to the core of self-assessment. Consciously considering this question, a teacher will consistently embody the principles of effective teaching, becoming the kind of educator they would respect and appreciate. This self-query alone generates continuous improvement and drives excellence in teaching, as it compels educators to critically evaluate their methods and interactions from a student’s perspective. #SelfReflection #EducationalExcellence #TeacherDevelopment #ContinuousImprovement #EffectiveTeaching #ProfessionalGrowth #EducationLeadership #ReflectivePractice #TeachingQuality #StudentPerspective

Accepting the Challenges of Teaching: Embracing the Mantra "It is What it is" As a teacher, you face a variety of challenges each day. From dealing with difficult students to navigating bureaucratic red tape, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and frustrated by the obstacles in your path.There are days when I’m needed in meetings to check off a box but my students and my coteacher need my presence in the classroom to help them navigate the lessons. However, by embracing the mantra "it is what it is," you can develop a mindset of acceptance and resilience that will help you navigate these challenges with greater ease. At its core, "it is what it is" is a reminder to accept the circumstances that you cannot change and to focus on what you can do to make a difference. I can’t be in two places at one time, there’s always an opportunity cost. Rather than getting bogged down in negative emotions or becoming paralyzed by indecision, this mantra encourages you to stay focused on your goals and to take action where you can. Whether you are facing a difficult student, a tight schedule, or a lack of resources, "it is what it is" can help you stay centered and focused on your mission as a teacher. By accepting the challenges that come your way and working creatively within them, you can make a real difference in the lives of your students and help them achieve their full potential.

If you haven't yet read my blog on sustainable curriculum adoption, head to the #MakeTeachingSustainable blog. The cliff notes? Don't mandate a curriculum to fidelity, and instead make recommendations on how to implement gradually. If you are looking for some consistency with regard to how the curriculum is adopted, be sure to include teachers in the decision-making process around which parts of the curriculum are mandatory.

Fellow teachers and friends… I haven’t said anything about my most recent book lately on social media. My latest work is entitled “Creating Teachable Moments; A Guidebook to Inspiring Values in The Classroom”. I’m offering to be part of book studies to offer an author’s perspective as part of your learning journey as an educator. You can pick up a copy on Amazon, or go to my website, www.docmcpherson.com. What is discussed in this book? Creating Teachable Moments What happened to your dream of having a classroom that encourages students, cultivates a love for learning, and inspires you? Are you tired of untrustworthy, disrespectful, and unkind students? Have you grown tired of the ongoing battle in the classroom where values are not appreciated or followed? This personable author of My Teachable Moments demonstrates her excellence as a values-driven educator as she commits to guiding fellow educators to experience the classroom environment of their dreams. Filled with firsthand accounts and techniques to use to instill values in the classroom, this book will guide you to be an educator who helps your students become more kind, more empathetic, and more resilient to everyday stress. As you traverse the material in this book, you will learn how personal values affect everyday life and how to foster values such as trust, reflection, compassion, respect, collaboration, tolerance, connections, and resilience in the classroom. You will: - Develop a personal understanding of the background, science, and importance of basic core values expected in society. - You will explore your own beliefs as you learn about yourself. - You will discover techniques to embed values as part of your curriculum. - You will learn how to apply the values and principles discussed in this book. - You will promote student engagement and enhance the well-being of both yourself and your students. #docmcpherson #teachertoauthor #learningsuccess

“Focus" by Mike Schmoker emphasizes several key points: 1. Simplicity in Teaching: The book stresses the importance of simplicity in teaching methods, advocating for clear and focused instructional strategies over complex and convoluted approaches. 2. Clarity in Learning Objectives: Schmoker highlights the significance of clearly defined learning objectives. He suggests that explicit learning goals help students and teachers stay focused on essential content and skills. 3. Purposeful Reading and Writing: The author emphasizes the critical role of reading and writing in the learning process. He argues that these skills should be purposeful, with a clear connection to the content being studied. 4. Collaborative Professionalism: Schmoker underscores the value of collaborative professionalism among educators. He argues that teachers should work together to refine and improve instructional practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. 5. Assessment for Learning Improvement: The book stresses the need for meaningful assessment practices that go beyond grading and instead focus on providing feedback for improvement. Schmoker suggests that assessments should be aligned with learning objectives and used as tools for enhancing instruction. #Focus

Everyone is welcome. Make Sustainability central to your teaching and learning. Whether you want a curriculum plan or a resource or something we have created or curated ! Take a look .