Working with English Learners Virtually!

 It's time to return to blogging, for many reasons - some including:

1) We are all trying to build this plane while flying it

2) I feel more now than every it's time to advocate for the needs of our special populations

3) I need to share my learning and growing

When our district learned that schools would start virtually - my heart sank. I know of many families that are merely surviving since Covid first started and now we are going to further their isolation.

For me - here are my top 3 priorities for leading our department through this all:

1) Accountablity- check in with every single student - every single week.

2) Health and Wellness: encourage and ensure the well being of our students and staff are at the forefront

3) Remove barriers: to learning period, but especially learning virtually. As a parent of a junior EL child, who spent 2-3 times longer on daily work than his brothers during NTI, this needs to be a positive learning experience for all.

So tomorrow we begin our work as a department - 

• Without the inperson camraderie, but with ALL of the passion.
• Without the in games and team bonding, but with all the care and concern.
• Without all the pieces of the puzzle, but with our starting tokens in hand.

I refuse to let the uncertainty and disruption that 2020 has brought, impact this school year as a certain 'doomsday' in education. Will there be difficult days and unexpected challenges.... of course!

However I trust my team!

I trust the heart and passion of our team.

WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!