Hey I-Team and Happy Black History Month! I hope the month of February finds you well.
Recently, I observed one of the PE Teachers at my school interacting with a student. I noticed that since the start of this school year, before that student begins the day, he makes sure he talks to the PE teacher. When the child walks away, he walks away smiling and in a hurry to get back to class. So me, being the inquisitive person that I am, asked the PE teacher what does he say to that student that makes him so eager to start his day. The teacher told me that he checks in with that student twice a day (once in the morning and again in the afternoon). He said that he starts their conversations by connecting to things that are meaningful to the student outside of school (i.e. favorite video game, sport, upcoming weekend activities, etc.).
He went on to say that next he reminds the student of school expectations and how to manage his behavior when he becomes upset throughout the day. Once they establish those things, he motivates the student by reminding him that he can do it. That's when he leaves the student with encouraging words so that he can have a great day. When school is over at the end of the day, he and the student meet to discuss how his day went. If things go well, the child receives a small trinket or incentive. If his day isn't good, the PE teacher said that they review the expectations and he reminds the child that he isn't looking for him to be perfect, but that he is looking for him to make choices that allow him to turn his day around. Just watching their interaction at school makes me smile. Now you might be reading this post and wondering what that has to do with the title, well it's simple, the teacher is a Black Male and the student is a young Black Male. So in saying all of that, there is not doubt, the role that Black Educators play in schools at every level is important... simply put...Black Educators Matter!
In celebration of this extraordinary group of individuals, this month's episode of the Intentional Instruction Podcast is dedicated to the important role they play in schools. And if you listen until the end, you'll hear my special announcement. Just click here for this month's episode.
The Intentional Toolkit
Inside the Intentional Toolkit I've also included a few articles that are timely and are connected to the blog and podcast discussion. To access them just click on the toolkit at the bottom of this page. From there you'll be able to open the PDF. As always, I hope you find these resources useful.
Well that's all for now. But as you rise to educate, uplift, and inspire students from PreK-college, know that you are the true agent of change. Although your impact and your name might not ever be known to the rest of the world, I'm reminded of a quote that I found on social media that really touched me. It read "Don't strive to be well known, strive to be worth knowing". And that, I-Team, makes all the difference. Until next time...go out there and be GREAT!
Recently, I observed one of the PE Teachers at my school interacting with a student. I noticed that since the start of this school year, before that student begins the day, he makes sure he talks to the PE teacher. When the child walks away, he walks away smiling and in a hurry to get back to class. So me, being the inquisitive person that I am, asked the PE teacher what does he say to that student that makes him so eager to start his day. The teacher told me that he checks in with that student twice a day (once in the morning and again in the afternoon). He said that he starts their conversations by connecting to things that are meaningful to the student outside of school (i.e. favorite video game, sport, upcoming weekend activities, etc.).
He went on to say that next he reminds the student of school expectations and how to manage his behavior when he becomes upset throughout the day. Once they establish those things, he motivates the student by reminding him that he can do it. That's when he leaves the student with encouraging words so that he can have a great day. When school is over at the end of the day, he and the student meet to discuss how his day went. If things go well, the child receives a small trinket or incentive. If his day isn't good, the PE teacher said that they review the expectations and he reminds the child that he isn't looking for him to be perfect, but that he is looking for him to make choices that allow him to turn his day around. Just watching their interaction at school makes me smile. Now you might be reading this post and wondering what that has to do with the title, well it's simple, the teacher is a Black Male and the student is a young Black Male. So in saying all of that, there is not doubt, the role that Black Educators play in schools at every level is important... simply put...Black Educators Matter!
In celebration of this extraordinary group of individuals, this month's episode of the Intentional Instruction Podcast is dedicated to the important role they play in schools. And if you listen until the end, you'll hear my special announcement. Just click here for this month's episode.
The Intentional Toolkit
Inside the Intentional Toolkit I've also included a few articles that are timely and are connected to the blog and podcast discussion. To access them just click on the toolkit at the bottom of this page. From there you'll be able to open the PDF. As always, I hope you find these resources useful.
Well that's all for now. But as you rise to educate, uplift, and inspire students from PreK-college, know that you are the true agent of change. Although your impact and your name might not ever be known to the rest of the world, I'm reminded of a quote that I found on social media that really touched me. It read "Don't strive to be well known, strive to be worth knowing". And that, I-Team, makes all the difference. Until next time...go out there and be GREAT!
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