Professional Reading

In my ASCD Voxer PLN, someone was asking about some good ASCD reads. We found ourselves recommending books so I thought, why not write a little about reading.

My routine - I tend to read a professional book simultaneously with a non-preofessional read to balance my mind between work and imaginary. Since the fall I've read a few professional reads, and unfortunately my pile of books never gets smaller, it keeps growing and growing. Sometimes I choose the book that seems the most relevant for the moment in my role, and others I chose because of interest.

1. Eric Jensen's Engaging Students With Poverty in Mind 

What I learned from the book: The discussion of the "seven engagement factors" was helpful as were the practical actions and solutions to engage students living in poverty. While the structures and suggestions are geared for students living in poverty, I'd use many of the actions and solutions with any students.

2. Richard Dufour & Michael Fullan's Cultures Built to Last: Sytemic PLCs at Work 

What I learned from the book: Zeroed in on the difference between accountability and building capacity, and the reasons why systemic change is hard but necessary.

3. Pete Hall & Alisha Simeral's Building Teachers' Capacity for Success: A Collaborative Approach for Coaches and School Leaders

What I learned from the book: Learned about a continuum for teacher practice and a practical approach for offering feedback to teachers. A valuable read for building a safe and positive culture of professionals who can trust an learn from each other.

4. Marilyn Chu's Developing Mentoring and Coaching Relationships in Early Care and Education 

What I learned from the book: Suggestions around specific mentoring and coaching strategies for early childhood educators. Great reflection questions and informative coaching/professional development plans.

5. Derald Wing Sue's Microagressions in Everyday Life (currently reading)

What I'm learning from this book: Wow, what am I not learning. A very informative read about society, how we judge people, and how the unintentional judgmental looks or comments we make can have a profound physical and psychological effects on groups of people.

What are you reading?

EdCamp=Awesome

This weekend I went to my first EdCamp.  The place - Roslyn Heights, New York.  Lovely venue, great networking, wonderful vibe.

If you haven't been to an EdCamp, please find one and go.

Edcamp is place where educators go to share their ideas, thoughts and expertise with other educators in a semi-structured format.  Anyone can present or lead a discussion on a topic of choice and sign up for a time slot to share.  Presenters may or may not have prepared beforehand, it's completely up to them.  Sessions are a place of sharing and learning from each other.  No need to sign up for a session either, you go to the ones you want in part or whole.  What a concept! Going to a professional learning event to learn what you want to learn, ideal.

My take-aways included learning how to make an app and how to transform professional learning for teachers.  To me, that's huge for being there for only a few hours. Definitely time well spent.  Looking forward the next one!

http://edcamp.wikispaces.com