Great article on School Libraries in Education Week

I read a great article today on the importance of school libraries and what they mean to our students. Here is a link to the article. Enjoy!

How the School Library Saved My Life - Education Week

My Brother's Keeper

I am very fortunate and blessed to be a part of My Brother's Keeper in Fort Worth ISD. The My Brother's Keeper initiative was started by President Obama in February 2014. President Barack Obama launched “My Brother’s Keeper” (MBK), in a call to action to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color and ensure all young people can reach their full potential. The President’s vision found its roots in the idea that “my neighbor’s child is my child – that each of us has an obligation to give every child the same chance this country gave so many of us.”

In March of 2014, the FWISD Board of Education pledged in collaboration with the Council of Great City Schools to address specific areas related to achievement for young men of color. FWISD held a community summit, developed a task force, and has worked with the young men in all of our high schools in developing our young men as leaders in our schools and communities.

Here is a link to President's Obama video encouraging you to be a mentor as he, our country, FWISD, and our communities continue to work with our young men.

Week of the Young Child

The week of April 10-16, 2016 is the Week of the Young Child. It is an annual celebration hosted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, and their families. Here is a link to their webpage. Here are some fun activities to do with your young children.

Music Monday: Find the beat to connect music, movement, and math. Practice clapping, drumming, or stomping to the beat of the music while counting. Link to music resources. 

Taco Tuesday: Measure your ingredients while making your tacos! Ask children if they’d like the same or different amounts of each ingredient.

Work together Wednesday: Practice organizing blocks by size! Try building a block tower with large blocks on the bottom and little blocks on top! Share pictures of children’s creations on NAEYC's Facebook page or Twitter using the #woyc16 hashtag.

Artsy Thursday: Bring art outdoors! Offer dark and light paper, chalk and pastels, and suggest children create their own versions of the day and night sky! Share pictures of children’s creations on NAEYC's Facebook page or Twitter using the #woyc16 hashtag.

Family Friday: Invite parents for a Family Friday breakfast, where children can prepare and share breakfast treats with their families!

Becoming a Key Influencer with Social Media

I am at the Fort Worth ISD Technology Conference today learning about digital learning & how I can be an influencer in education. #FWTC16  @FWISD_PLI   @cissymattingly

What a great day! I have had a great time &  I have learned so much!

http://www.ischoolinitiative.com/advocates/

@iSchoolAdvocate

Great video on why we should invest in early childhood programs

The Walden University Early Childhood Organization (WUECO) is a great organization that I'm involved in and a fellow member shared a video that her professor shared and I wanted to share. Thanks.

Great Article on First Year Teachers and Not Giving Up

Hello. A friend of mine shared with me a great story that was on NPR on first year teachers. Here is the link. The mentor teacher referenced in the article also recently wrote a book of advice for teachers by teachers called, 'See Me After Class,' and she emails advice to new teachers who sign up, and, of course, tweets.  She identifies this time of year as the critical time – between the end of the first six weeks and Thanksgiving break when first year teachers contemplate quitting. 

Also, in the article is a link to phases of first year teachers. One of the phases is "disillusionment." This was a great article and I look forward to reading her book. Enjoy!

The Importance of Play in Early Childhood Education

Fred Rogers says it best in regards to the importance of play in early childhood education.

Thank you Mr. Rogers!