SPARK University 1.0 SPARK 1.0 offers hands on professional development with proven classroom principles and strategies for teachers at every career stage. Designed to reignite and refresh the passion, pride, and purpose in teaching. July 8 – 12...
Are you brand new to teaching? First time in an American classroom? Is teaching your second career? Then SPARK Start is for you! SPARK Start will run concurrently with SPARK University. It will utilize break out sessions to explore and dig deeper into topics such as...
This past week, I was privileged to meet with over 50 educators virtually, in SPARK University 1.0. They came one at a time, signed into zoom, hesitantly, not knowing what to expect.One by one, I greeted them at the virtual threshold of my classroom. Some had trouble...
Sam stood nervously behind the podium. It was his turn next. Think! Think! What had Miss Maggie and he practiced for the past two weeks? Stand up straight. Shoulders back. Approach the microphone, lean in. NO JOKES! NO JOKES! No inappropriate comments. He desperately...
I sat in an office listening to a recent SPARK U graduate telling me that as soon as the principal could find a replacement, she was done. She was so discouraged and disillusioned that she felt her only way out was quitting. Her hopes and dreams were crushed and she...
“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the UNITED States of America…” This was the way I began my day after the election. Standing in sync with 11 ELL (English Language Learners) that represented 6 different countries, pledging allegiance to their...
Wow! SPARK U completed 5 weeks in three states! I met and worked with some incredible teachers that were dedicated to improving their craft, loving their students and spreading a “spark” to those around them. Every place I went, I met teachers who were...
Imagine a school where children smiled big, white toothy smiles — where every day the entire school gathered to sing. Imagine a school where every hand goes up eager to answer a question — where teachers are respected, care about their students and are eager to refine...
When I was at SPARK U this summer, I set some goals that have been taped to the top of my desk ever since: 1) High Expectations 2) Clear Objectives 3) Check for understanding before moving on to the next step 4) Effective practice more often. Basically, I...
