MzTeachuh: When GenEd and SpecEd Collaboration Really Works: ...

MzTeachuh: When GenEd and SpecEd Collaboration Really Works: ...: Classroom problems are obvious: the student is not successful academically or has behavior issues. The solutions are not so obvious...

When GenEd and SpecEd Collaboration Really Works: Solving Problems

Classroom problems are obvious: the student is not successful academically or has behavior issues. The solutions are not so obvious. Here is how GenEd and SpecEd can work together for solutions for the student (and the classroom.) Honesty, transparency, clarity between colleagues will produce true solutions for students. Be ready for candid interaction, my GenEd and SpecEd colleagues! There will be questions!

Scenario #1: The student makes an effort, but remains well below standards despite effective interventions.

SpecEd will ask (or should) for documentation of the intervention. The parent should already know how many hours per day for how many weeks the student has been in the intervention--and have products of the work accomplished. The data of the student's further need should not be a mystery to anyone. Parent contact should be regular.  GenEd needs to be organized for this. Hopefully, the intervention classes at the school site are coordinating and use the same result templates so a parent or SpecEd teacher can readily identify the strengths and needs of the student during a specific time period. If there is other, more unusual input over a period of time about the student, GeEd needs to document this with type of behavior, date, and class activity.

An anecdotal report might go like this:

10/5/-- Margaret began classwork, but after 10 minutes was drawing rather than writing the assignment. The picture was of a child, but it was one big circle with a smile. She did this for 10 minutes, then sat still, not working, despite many prompts to write.

With accurate data, Admin, GenEd and SpecEd should meet with the parents and may then suggest Special Education testing to the parent, if the parent has not already requested it.

A situation once arose at a Middle School where I was RSP for Grade 6. The structure was four teachers on a team, and I worked in the classrooms of Math and ELA. A Soc. Science teacher clued me into two transfer students she noticed may be SpecEd but perhaps their paperwork hadn't arrived yet.

One student had created an illustration for an essay that struck the teacher as disturbing. She showed it to me, I was able to observe and speak to the student. I contacted the Ed. Psychologist, and the Grade 6 Counselor. After getting contact info from his previous school across country, we discovered the parent had not informed us the student had been identified as ED (Emotionally Disturbed) and had a serious incident the previous school year. We couldn't clarify why the parents did not inform us, but because the Social Science teacher actually checked and read her classes' assignments every day we could get him to the proper placement quickly.

Another student was not able to understand the work at all, but was very popular despite a stutter. Again, the team of Counselor, Ed. Psychologist, SpecEd and GenEd did a search of his records, spoke to the parents (who needed a translator, the Ed. Psychologist was fluent in Spanish) and we found that due to frequent school changes, he had never been tested for SpecEd, or Speech Therapy. I tested him from my end, the Speech Therapist from his end, the Ed. Psychologist from her end, and we were prepared for a meeting which resulted in a better placement.

Scenario #2: The student has shown grade level ability, but is too disorganized to function in the class.

Again, do we have a record of  this behavior?
An anecdotal report might go like this:

Luis does well when he has his supplies and brings his homework and outside reading book. But he is missing important items at least 3 times a week. Dates of missing work for March: 3/3, 3/5, 3/9, 3/10, 3/14 etc.

Has GenEd contacted the parents about this lack of functioning? Is there something unusual at home that might be the cause of the disorganization? Now I'm going to get personal, only because I have had to ask myself this question. How organized is the class? How's your classroom management? Are enough cues and directives given to end one activity and start another? Is the class tidy and organized so this student has an appropriate amount of space to function? If the lack of function is not the result of parents or teacher--there could be a Special Ed. reason. Executive functions (ability to be organized) can be impaired by learning disabilities. But not always. If the student's previous teachers are available for comment, ask how little George did last year. So if previous answers to these questions show a need for testing, the SpecEd team will find out--is it ADHD? a learning disability? or just a future Absent Minded Professor who needs a personal assistant? (Kind of kidding about the last, but sometimes parents and teachers feel like they are in that role.)

In my experience as RSP (Resource Specialist) we tested many more students for learning disabilities than qualified for Special Education programs, particularly in Grade 6. That is due to the fact that the huge change in schedule created a perfect storm of confusion for awhile until the kids got their sea legs. But a lack of executive function could well show a need for Special Education support, so please document the need so the student can be fairly evaluated.

Scenario #3: The student is a behavior problem.

Now we are to the real issue to solve. Why do students act up? For attention, for control of the class, or to escape the class through disciplinary action that takes them to the office or maybe to the ramp outside the door (btw, that last strategy is an illegal move and should not happen. Students need supervision.) 
 
Again, do we have a record of  this behavior?
An anecdotal report might go like this, and not necessarily only in a referral:

Student (Kayleigh) got out of seat three times in fifteen minutes, and moved around the classroom. She then whacked Angelica on the back of the head, disrupting class.

For a behavior referral for Special Education, you record all instances, and contact with the parents. The team of professionals that is your school and includes you, will research everything about the student, test the student, while effectively managing a positive behavior contract. 

At the first, and I mean first, sign of defiance, contact the parent and document. The most effective teachers I worked with, and later emulated, did this simple thing, and ran a peaceful classroom. Also, document the conversation. Is this tedious? Yes, GenEd, it is. I know, I was GenEd, too. But a behavior issue is the most vital to document. If, deep in your heart, you feel this student has an emotional or serious behavioral issue--contact SpecEd, the Counselor, or the Ed. Psychologist. Maybe the student doesn't have serious problems that may lead to self injury or injuries to others. But maybe so, and you could save injuries and lives if the student gets help early.

In one high school class during a reading intervention, a student was doodling on his work one day. We discovered it was a rather graphic picture of  two young people, one threatening the other with a knife. Taking the picture to the Ed. Psychologist, and having a meeting with the parent led to counseling for the student who had been bullied and assaulted the previous year. His uncle had been murdered in a gang initiation 18 months before. The student was affected. He received counseling.

To be transparent, a positive behavior plan is the most challenging to coordinate with a team of teachers for effective implementation. Really hard. But we don't give up. Good results help everyone. 

When GenEd and SpecEd collaboration really works, there's nothing finer in the school system.

MzTeachuh: Learn Something New. Try Something New

MzTeachuh: Learn Something New. Try Something New: 25 Awesome Anchor Charts For Teaching Writing http://www.buzzfeed.com/weareteachers/25-awesome-anchor-charts-for-teaching-writing-h0xt   ...

Learn Something New. Try Something New

25 Awesome Anchor Charts For Teaching Writing

http://www.buzzfeed.com/weareteachers/25-awesome-anchor-charts-for-teaching-writing-h0xt 

Breaking the Mold: School Fosters Design and Discovery

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/07/breaking-the-mold-school-fosters-design-and-discovery/ 

Historic Summit Fueled Push for K-12 Standards

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/09/24/05summit.h34.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB 

What's It Like Being ADD?

http://www.additudemag.com/adhdblogs/31/10968.html 

Bring Your Classroom to Life With PBS

http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/ 

5 Ways to Stop Bullying and Move into Action

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/stop-bullying-create-upstanders-becki-cohn-vargas?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-stop-bullying-create-upstanders-link 

Writing Higher Order Questions 

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/developing-better-questions/?utm_content=bufferaca1b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

Auditory Processing Disorder: Your Questions Answered 

http://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/auditory-processing-disorder/auditory-processing-disorder-your-questions-answered?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

 

 

MzTeachuh: Hispanic Heritage Month: Luis Walter Alvarez

MzTeachuh: Hispanic Heritage Month: Luis Walter Alvarez: Celebrating winning the Nobel Prize, October 30, 1968. The balloons are inscribed with the names of subatomic particles that his group d...

Hispanic Heritage Month: Luis Walter Alvarez

Celebrating winning the Nobel Prize, October 30, 1968. The balloons are inscribed with the names of subatomic particles that his group discovered.

Luis Walter Alvarez (June 13, 1911 – September 1, 1988) was an American experimental physicist, inventor, and professor who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1968. The American Journal of Physics commented, "Luis Alvarez was one of the most brilliant and productive experimental physicists of the twentieth century."

Alvarez was active as a scientist prior to WWII, during WWII on the Manhattan Project, and well into the 1960s, being considered a 'Scientific Detective.'

Here are more sources about Luis Walter Alvarez.

Luis Alvarez - Biographical

http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1968/alvarez-bio.html 

Biography of Luis Walter Alvarez – Hispanic-American Scientist

http://www.culturecoach.biz/wordpress/biography-luis-walter-alvarez-hispanic-american-scientist/ 

 

MzTeachuh: Teaching By Instinct and Knowledge

MzTeachuh: Teaching By Instinct and Knowledge: Five-Minute Film Festival: Culturally Responsive  http://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-minute-film-festival-culturally-responsive-teachin...

Teaching By Instinct and Knowledge

Five-Minute Film Festival: Culturally Responsive 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-minute-film-festival-culturally-responsive-teaching 

Gates Foundation Opens Literacy Courseware Pilot & Evaluation Program

https://www.edsurge.com/n/2014-09-27-gates-foundation-opens-literacy-courseware-pilot-evaluation-program 

Broadening the Discussion of Good Schooling

http://educationnext.org/broadening-discussion-good-schooling/

Harvest Time! Fabulous Fall Mighty Girl Books 

http://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=4645 

3 Strategies for Building an Authentic Audience for Your Student’s Work

http://www.coolcatteacher.com/ecm-yollis-authentic-audience/ 

Group Work Challenge: Assessing Team Members

Group Work Challenge: Assessing Team Members

 http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/group-work-challenge-assessing-team-members/

Teacher: Why Wasn’t Common Core Phased In Gradually?

http://dianeravitch.net/2014/09/27/teacher-why-wasnt-common-core-phased-in-gradually/ 

How we can use the spotlight of Vergara to raise teaching standards

http://hechingerreport.org/content/can-use-spotlight-vergara-raise-teaching-standards_17480/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HechingerReport+%28Hechinger+Report%29 

The Feeling of Learning

http://anniemurphypaul.com/2014/09/the-feeling-of-learning/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-feeling-of-learning 

Annie Murphy Paul 

Brilliant: The Science of Smart

New research on learning can help us all expand our intelligence

http://anniemurphypaul.com/ 

 

Group Work Challenge: Assessing Team Members

MzTeachuh: Educational Links 9/27/14

MzTeachuh: Educational Links 9/27/14: ​Irish teenagers Ciara Judge, Émer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Thow, all 16, have won the Google Science Fair 2014 . Their project, Combat...

Educational Links 9/27/14

​Irish teenagers Ciara Judge, Émer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Thow, all 16, have won the Google Science Fair 2014. Their project, Combating the Global Food Crisis, aims to provide a solution to low crop yields by pairing a nitrogen-fixing bacteria that naturally occurs in the soil with cereal crops it does not normally associate with, such as barley and oats. The results were incredible: the girls found their test crops germinated in half the time and had a drymass yield up to 74 percent greater than usual.

Teens Use Dirt Germs to Combat Global Poverty at 2014 Google Science Fair

https://www.edsurge.com/n/2014-09-26-teens-use-dirt-germs-to-combat-global-poverty-at-2014-google-science-fair 

The Power of "I Don't Know"

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/power-i-dont-know-heather-wolpert-gawron?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20EdutopiaNewContent%20%28Edutopia%29 

101 Things I’ve Learned So Far In Teaching

http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/101-teaching-tips-secrets-and-ideas-for-2013/ 

New Details Emerge On Autism Treatment Mandate

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/09/26/new-autism-mandate/19708/ 

Freeplay Music - Another Good Place to Find Music for Multimedia Projects 

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/09/freeplay-music-another-good-place-to.html?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=freetech4teachers#.VCbn2RYfgwA 

​Does Data Collection Help Students or Big Brother?

https://www.edsurge.com/n/2014-09-26-does-data-collection-help-students-or-big-brother 

Can Project-Based Learning Close Gaps in Science Education?

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/09/can-project-based-learning-close-gaps-in-science-education/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

Study Points To More Reliable Autism Test

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/09/23/study-reliable-autism-test/19698/ 

Personalized Screen to ID Suicidal Teens in 14 ERs http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2014/09/personalized-screen-to-id-suicidal.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLUdSt+%28Special+Needs+Digest%29

 

 

MzTeachuh: ...with only this short time...

MzTeachuh: ...with only this short time...: I didn't realize I like country music. George Harrison - Behind That Locked Door - Lyrics  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzT6wQ...

...with only this short time...

I didn't realize I like country music.

George Harrison - Behind That Locked Door

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Sp61BtOW4

 "Behind That Locked Door"
Why are you still crying?
Your pain is now through
Please forget those teardrops
Let me take them from you
The love you are blessed with
This world's waiting for
So let out your heart, please, please
From behind that locked door

It's time we start smiling
What else should we do?
With only this short time
I'm gonna be here with you
And the tales you have taught me
From the things that you saw
Makes me want out your heart, please, please
From behind that locked door
And if ever my love goes
If I'm rich or I'm poor
Please let out my heart, please, please
From behind that locked door
From behind that locked door

MzTeachuh: Nothing But Autumn Arts and Crafts

MzTeachuh: Nothing But Autumn Arts and Crafts: http://www.lilsugar.com/Fall-Arts-Crafts-Kids-25276701  This link is for the lower right project. Shaving Cream Painted F...

Nothing But Autumn Arts and Crafts

http://www.lilsugar.com/Fall-Arts-Crafts-Kids-25276701

 This link is for the lower right project.

Shaving Cream Painted Fall Leaves, Back to School Fall Friday Fun

http://littlewondersdays.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-to-school-fall-friday-fun.html 

 From the site Kaboose; plus lots of other good parents' info.

http://www.kaboose.com/

Mosaic Cornucopia

http://crafts.kaboose.com/mosaic-cornucopia.html 

Old standby.

FALL & AUTUMN CRAFTS FOR KIDS : Ideas for Autumn Arts and Crafts Projects with the following ideas, activities, instructions, patterns, and printables for Children, Teens, and Preschoolers 

http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/autumnfallartscraftideaskids.html 

 

That's very pretty,

Fall Crafts for Kids

http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/fall/ 

And if you can't just recycle art supplies, here are some good supply deals.

Jo Ann's give a  teacher and student discount.

http://www.joann.com/

 

  http://weeklyad.michaels.com/?cm_mmc=Sq1-_-1007Halloween-_-GooglePPC-_-WeekAd&gclid=CI6e0e678rICFURxQgodgDUAtw

MzTeachuh: When GenEd and SpecEd Collaboration Really Works: ...

MzTeachuh: When GenEd and SpecEd Collaboration Really Works: ...: AVID trained teachers using those techniques in class with mild learning disabilities can work. Exciting and effective--w...

When GenEd and SpecEd Collaboration Really Works: Playing To Each Other's Strengths

AVID trained teachers using those techniques in class with mild learning disabilities can work.

Exciting and effective--when GenEd and SpecEd teachers blend teaching strengths. I've been privileged to collaborate with some truly excellent teachers and administrators who analyzed and acknowledged the positives in our resumes and allowed the teaching teams to excel.

In a high school setting, I was paired with a teacher whose other classes were AVID.  (Advancement Via Individual Determination-AVID- is a college-readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in and complete a degree at four-year colleges, focusing on students in the academic middle.) Ms. C. included all students in her classroom management style and activities. Without a big to-do or pinpointing the RSP students, her style of 'everyone participate' caused the students with IEPs to blossom under the light of expectation. Ms. C. expected them to work, participate and succeed. When the kids read Julius Caesar aloud, one of the RSP kids was the best Marc Antony ever. I hadn't realized that iambic pentameter was actually easy to read aloud.

Tag team teaching.

Sometimes, collaborating Special Education teachers are also qualified in academic areas. Because I'm also qualified in English, several of my collaborating teachers and I would tag team a lesson. I learned powerpoint just to present some of my favorite poems and lessons, and all the English teachers I worked with in that high school graciously allowed me to present from time to time. We were sensitive to schedule, style and curriculum. I did not teach Direct Instruction types of lessons in areas I was not credentialed. That makes sense, doesn't it?

Teacher qualified in fun.

Some teachers have special interests and talents--technology, gaming, music, art, dance, involvement in the Maker Movement--collaborating can enhance the class as GenEd and SpecEd teachers get creative together.

Mystery of the Resource Room revealed.

Sometimes teachers collaborate in atypical ways because a staff member has credentials that enhance a program. I've been teaching a looong time and happen to have California credentials that permit me to teach elementary classes and Special Ed. (and some English and Art.) I was trained in a program--Language!--that was used K-12 for remediation in Reading in our district. An innovative administrator permitted the GenEd teachers to work with me to identify students in their classes that would benefit from the program, so my pull-out class included GenEd and SpecEd students for that year. It worked very well in bringing up reading levels and creating more understanding of 'what happens in the Resource Room.'

You don't generally have to be joined at the hip.

In a collaborative team, sometimes one partner is more of a people person, and dealing with parents, that is a great help; one partner might be more attuned to the student's needs, or enjoy lesson planning for individual learning, or be really into technology.  

These GenEd/SpecEd classrooms can really rock! Playing to the positive!

 

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 9/26/14

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 9/26/14: Ed Tech and STEM Monday Review 9/22/14  http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/09/ed-tech-and-stem-monday-review-92214.html   Educational...

MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 9/26/14

Ed Tech and STEM Monday Review 9/22/14 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/09/ed-tech-and-stem-monday-review-92214.html 

Educational Links of the Day 9/25/14 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/09/links-of-day-92514.html 

Educational Links 9/24/14 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/09/educational-links-92414.html 

Best Articles for Educators 9/22/14 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/09/best-articles-for-educators-92214.html 

Getting Better Using Ed Tech 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/09/getting-bettter-using-ed-tech.html 

Hispanic Heritage Month: Alberto Gonzales 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/09/hispanic-heritage-month-alberto-gonzales.html 

Teaching Is Making Sure You Have Their Attention

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/09/teaching-is-making-sure-you-have-their.html 

Educational Links 9/26/14 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/09/educational-links-92614.html 

  Thank you to our international readers, it is a privilege to sere you. USA, Ukraine, France, Germany, Canada, Turkey, UK, Romania, Russia.

 

 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Educational Links 9/26/14

MzTeachuh: Educational Links 9/26/14: Ten Supreme Court Special Education Cases You Need to Know  http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2014/09/bills-view-ten-supreme-court-spec...

Educational Links 9/26/14

Ten Supreme Court Special Education Cases You Need to Know 

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2014/09/bills-view-ten-supreme-court-special.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLUdSt+%28Special+Needs+Digest%29 

8 Tips for Schools Interested in Restorative Justice

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/restorative-justice-tips-for-schools-fania-davis 

Differentiated Instruction Strategies: Using Learning Stations 

http://www.teachhub.com/differentiated-instruction-strategies-using-learning-stations 

Can Project-Based Learning Close Gaps in Science Education?

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/09/can-project-based-learning-close-gaps-in-science-education/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

10 Examples & Non-Examples Of Differentiated Instruction

http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/what-is-differentiated-instruction/

Is it Time to Redefine “Gifted and Talented”?

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/09/is-it-time-to-redefine-gifted-and-talented/ 

What makes a student "gifted"? This study says we're getting it wrong

http://www.vox.com/2014/9/24/6835643/gifted-education-classrooms-nber-study?utm_content=buffer029c0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

Resources for Connected Educator Month 2014

http://www.edutopia.org/connected-educator-month-resources?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20EdutopiaNewContent%20%28Edutopia%29 

Common Core Quest Expands to Cover All Common Core Math & Language Arts Standards 

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/09/common-core-quest-expands-to-cover-all.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29#.VCWu3RYfgwA 

This Is How Google Recommends You Stay Safe Online

http://www.edudemic.com/google-recommends-stay-safe-online/ 

Harvest Time! Fabulous Fall Mighty Girl Books 

http://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=4645 

 

 

 

 

MzTeachuh: Hispanic Heritage Month: Frida Kahlo

MzTeachuh: Hispanic Heritage Month: Frida Kahlo: Born in Coyoacán, Mexico, young Frida's life was punctuated by prominent eve nts: polio, the Mexican Revolution, and a horrific bus a...

Hispanic Heritage Month: Frida Kahlo

Born in Coyoacán, Mexico, young Frida's life was punctuated by prominent events: polio, the Mexican Revolution, and a horrific bus accident among them. Recovery from the bus trauma left her isolated and in extreme pain; painting became her distraction and solace. Self-portraits were her frequent focus, as she explained, "I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best."

Long celebrated as a folk icon in her homeland, it was not until the 1980s, well after her 1954 death, that Kahlo became widely recognized for her artistic skill. Now, her brightly-colored, often surreal artwork is in high demand. She has also been memorialized in movies and songs, on currency, and in countless books. Her birthplace and adult residence, The Blue House, is maintained today as a museum in her honor.
From the marvelous website, A Mighty Girl  http://www.amightygirl.com/

Women's History Month: 'I Paint Flowers So They Won't Die.'
http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2014/03/womens-history-month-i-paint-flowers-so.html

Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940

MzTeachuh: Reverie: A State of Abstracted Musing.

MzTeachuh: Reverie: A State of Abstracted Musing.: Starry Night by Van Gogh Was thinking what would help me relax--thought of this post.   Reverie by Claude Debussy. http://www....

Reverie: A State of Abstracted Musing.

Starry Night by Van Gogh

Was thinking what would help me relax--thought of this post.
 
Reverie by Claude Debussy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrFL2MWuxa4&feature=related

MzTeachuh: King Tut, Tut

MzTeachuh: King Tut, Tut: The Tomb of King Tut was discovered 90 years ago this month by Howard Carter. Here's the background on the unfortu...

MzTeachuh: Hispanic Heritage Month: Alberto Gonzales

MzTeachuh: Hispanic Heritage Month: Alberto Gonzales: A lberto R. Gonzales (born August 4, 1955) was the 80th United States Attorney General , appointed in February 2005 by President George W...

Hispanic Heritage Month: Alberto Gonzales

Alberto R. Gonzales (born August 4, 1955) was the 80th United States Attorney General, appointed in February 2005 by President George W. Bush, becoming the highest-ranking Hispanic in executive government to date. He was the first Hispanic to serve as White House Counsel, and earlier he had been Bush's General Counsel during his governorship of Texas. Gonzales had also served as Secretary of State of Texas and then as a Texas Supreme Court Justice.

Alberto Gonzales was born to a Catholic family in San Antonio, Texas, and raised in Humble, a town outside of Houston. Of Mexican descent, he was the second of eight children born to Pablo and Maria Gonzales. His father, who died in 1982, was a migrant worker and then a construction worker with a second grade education. His mother worked at home raising eight children and had a sixth grade education. Gonzales and his family of ten lived in a small, two-bedroom home built by his father and uncles with no telephone and no hot running water. According to Gonzales, he is unaware whether immigration documentation exists for three of his grandparents who were born in Mexico and who, like Gonzales and his family, were poor and uneducated and thus may have entered and resided in the United States illegally from Mexico or they may have entered and resided legally.



An honors student at MacArthur High School in unincorporated Harris County, Gonzales enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1973, for a four-year term of enlistment. He served one year at a remote radar site with 100 other GIs at Fort Yukon, Alaska, located north of the Arctic Circle, before being released from active duty to attend the USAFA Prep School. Subsequently he received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Gonzales was on the Dean’s List every semester and served as President of the Freshman Class Council at the Academy. He was on the Superintendent’s List and Commandant’s List for two semesters. Prior to beginning his third year at the academy, which would have caused him to incur a further service obligation, he left the Academy and was released from the enlistment contract. He transferred to Rice University in Houston, where he was a resident of Lovett College, Gonzales had dreamed of attending Rice as a boy when he sold soft drinks at Rice University football games. He went on to be selected as the Charles Parkhill Scholar of Political Science and he earned a bachelor's degree with honors in political science in 1979. He then earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Harvard Law School in 1982.

  Gonzales is currently the Dean of Belmont University College of Law, in Nashville, Tennessee where he currently teaches Constitutional Law, Separation of Powers, National Security Law and First Amendment Law. He is also counsel at a Nashville-based law firm, Waller, where he advises clients on special matters, government investigations and regulatory matters. He often writes opinion pieces for national newspapers and appears on national news programs

MzTeachuh: For Teacher

MzTeachuh: For Teacher: Four Activities to Jump-Start Teamwork Among Teachers and School Leaders http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/09/four-activities-to-jum...

For Teacher

Four Activities to Jump-Start Teamwork Among Teachers and School Leaders

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/09/four-activities-to-jump-start-teamwork-among-teachers-and-school-leaders/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29 

Need support? Join “Encouraging Teachers” on Facebook!

http://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/2014/09/need-support-join-encouraging-teachers-facebook.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCornerstone+%28The+Cornerstone+Blog%29 

Just Breathe: When Teachers Practice Mindfulness 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/just-breathe-when-teachers-practice-mindfulness-elena-aguilar?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20EdutopiaNewContent%20%28Edutopia%29

3 Essential Keys to Living Large

http://www.coolcatteacher.com/3-essential-keys-living-large/ 

Designing Curriculum That Teachers Will Actually Use

http://www.teachthought.com/learning/curriculum/12-questions-guide-curriculum-design/ 

Teacher Retention Varies Across and Within Districts

http://educationnext.org/teacher-retention-varies-across-within-districts/ 

Extending a Helping Hand

http://theeducatorsroom.com/2014/09/extending-helping-hand-mentor/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theeducatorsroom%2FvPKE+%28EducatorsRoom%29 

 

  

 

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh: Educational Links of the Day 9/25/14

MzTeachuh: MzTeachuh: Educational Links of the Day 9/25/14: MzTeachuh: Educational Links of the Day 9/25/14 : What Effective Principals Do http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/effective-principals/ ...

King Tut, Tut

The Tomb of King Tut was discovered 90 years ago this month by Howard Carter.

Here's the background on the unfortunate young man: 

Tutankhamun http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tutankhamun 

Tut's chamber was a main attraction in Las Vegas' Luxor for quite awhile. I saw it--couldn't say how realistic it was because I've never been to Egypt.

Luxor King Tut Museum Las Vegas  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iB9GmKlaa0 

Here is a CSI type recreation of what Tut may have looked like (which looks like two-thirds of the students in the high school I was teaching in during 2005)

 

The King Tut exhibit went traveling through the USA in 1978 (again in 2005), and inspired comedian Steve Martin to pen this music on SNL. 

King Tut http://screen.yahoo.com/king-tut-000000724.html

 King Tut (King Tut)
Now when he was a young man,
He never thought he'd see
People stand in line to see the boy king.

(King Tut) How'd you get so funky?
(Funky Tut) Did you do the monkey?
Born in Arizona,
Moved to Babylonia (king Tut).

(King Tut) Now, if I'd known
They'd line up just to see him,
I'd taken all my money
And bought me a museum. (king Tut)

Buried with a donkey (funky Tut)
He's my favorite honkey!
Born in Arizona,
Moved to Babylonia (king Tut)

(Tut, Tut) Dancin' by the Nile, (Disco Tut, Tut)
The ladies love his style, (boss Tut, Tut)
Rockin' for a mile (rockin' Tut, Tut)
He ate a crocodile.

He gave his life for tourism.
Golden idol!
He's an Egyptian.

They're selling you!

Now, when I die,
Now don't think I'm a nut,
Don't want no fancy funeral,
Just one like ole king Tut. (king Tut)

He coulda won a Grammy, (king Tut)
Buried in his Jammies, (king Tut)
Born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia,
He was born in Arizona, got a condo made of stone-a,
King Tut!

Footnote: Tut was not actually born in Arizona.

Educational Links of the Day 9/25/14

What Effective Principals Do

http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/effective-principals/ 

Why Students Leave STEM

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/why-students-leave-stem-ainissa-ramirez 

How to Motivate Students to Work Harder

http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/09/how-to-get-insecure-students-to-work-harder/379500/?utm_content=buffer6f48a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer 

The Flip Side of Parent Communication

The Flip Side of Parent CommunicationThe Flip Side of Parent 

The Flip Side of Parent Communication

http://inservice.ascd.org/whole-child/the-flip-side-of-parent-communication/ 

Are Teachers and Ed Tech Businesses Working Towards the Same Goal?

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/09/are-teachers-and-ed-tech-businesses-working-towards-the-same-goal/ 

Brief Intervention May Prevent Increased Risk of Depression in Teens 

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2014/09/brief-intervention-may-prevent.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FLUdSt+%28Special+Needs+Digest%29 

Questions to Ask Your Child About School 

http://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/understanding-childs-challenges/talking-with-your-child/questions-ask-child-about-school 

National Geographic Bee Registration 

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/09/national-geographic-bee-registration.html?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=freetech4teachers#.VCQbuBYfgwA 

Four Activities to Jump-Start Teamwork Among Teachers and School Leaders

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/09/four-activities-to-jump-start-teamwork-among-teachers-and-school-leaders/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+kqed%2FnHAK+%28MindShift%29