College Bound

I have been helping my daughter with the daunting task of completing her college applications. Helping her with her applications has truly given me an appreciation for the difficult decision students face about growing up, deciding what college to attend, and then making the move to leave home and go to a university. It is an overwhelming task, and I can see the apprehension and the unsettling feeling my daughter experiences every time she speaks of leaving home to go to college. Of course, there are those moments when she tells me that she can't wait to move out, go far away, make her own decisions, and never come back! I just smile and say, "I know." If it is this difficult for a senior in high school, then I can only imagine how hard it is for our middle school students to focus on college. They have more important things in their heads: who should I go to the dance with...am I wearing the right clothes...will mom let me go to the mall with my friends? I speak about college every day with many students, but they get this glazed look in their eyes, and I feel like everything I say goes in one ear and out the other. Many people may ask why talk to middle school students about college at all? My response is that I want to give my students the idea that college is an expectation, not an option. I want so many doors to open for them, and I know that these doors will open more easily with a college degree. So, I won't give up talking about college with my middle school students. It is my hope that even though it may go in one ear and out the other, that some of it sticks on the way out!

3 Day weekend

Thank you to all of our community for being so supportive of DMS. I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend!

Teaching and Learning

Today, my staff and I started our learning walks so we can observe effective teaching practice in the classroom and learn from each other. I find these collaborative walks to be very beneficial both to the observer and the the teacher being observed. It is a great way to debrief with my staff what effective teaching and student engagement looks like in the classroom. What we observed today was amazing. There are some incredible things happening at DMS. We saw most teachers using graphic organizer so students can organize their notes. We saw higher level questioning and critical thinking skills being used in all classrooms. We saw creativity, students on task and enjoying their learning, and a plethora of hands-on activities. I was impressed with Social Studies as they incorporate writing across the curriculum! The most amazing thing that I observed today were teachers who are positive, enthusiastic, and filled with passion for learning. All the faculty members have truly worked to create a positive learning community, and it is such a joy to visit classrooms where learning is is the main thing! My teachers really are super heroes!

1 week down...

We had a great start to the 2010-11 school year. I had the opportunity to visit all classrooms this week, and I saw students that are exicited to be back at school. I always love visiting a class where students are laughing and enjoying their learning because learning is suppose to be enjoyable. We have some amazing teachers at DMS, and they are all working hard to help our students find the joy in learning. I look forward to another great week at DMS.

Happy First Day of School

Happy New Year! I remember being little and thinking it odd that we celebrated a new year after Christmas when I always thought the new year started in August! So, here we are in August, and we are celebrating a new year at Deerpark Middle School. Every new year begins with hope and excitement that all students and teachers will have a positive year. Students come to school excited to see their friends and hope that they will be accepted by their peers and that their teachers will like them. Teachers come to school with hope that they will make a difference to their students. It is my hope that we continue the excitement and positive energy that surrounds the first day. I hope that all students find that education is their vehicle to success, and teachers find ways to unlock the hearts and minds of our students. So, happy new year, everyone, and may you have a fantastic school year!

A great start

It has been a great start to opening school with all the energy surrounding my staff and community. We have had a wonderful week of professional development, and my staff is eager to implement new ideas for teaching our students. Our community has really rallied behind our school by attending both Back to School Night for 7th and 8th graders and Ranger Round Up for 6th graders. We had record breaking numbers at both events. I am eager to welcome our students on Tuesday for I know we are going to have a great year! Stay Ranger Strong!

Thinking about success

I am always inspired when I hear Dr. Chavez speak because although he speaks of "the state of the district," his passion for this district and for our students is evident. RRISD is such a positive and engergetic place to work, learn, and grow! I am so energized for the school year and eager to utilize everything I have learned from the retreat! I am especially anxious to see how the 21st century skills for student learners is going to play out as we launch it as our campus ABC project. Thank you Mary from GMS for the wonderful idea!