Resetting MCP in the New Year
Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose Deanon is joined by Kendal Giacomini to talk about resetting a modern classroom mid-year (or after a long break) and her new role at MCP.
Kendal shares her experiences, emphasizing the continuous process of iteration in teaching. She highlights the importance of finding a balance that is sustainable for both teachers and students, acknowledging the anxiety that often arises from the pressure to be perfect.
Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:
Embracing mistakes and showing vulnerability as educators create a positive learning environment. Kendal states, "Mistakes are here to stay; they also show that to your students. Hey, I'm learning something new; you're gonna learn something new; we're gonna learn together.”
Encouraging collaboration over competition fosters independence and trust among students.
Advocating for ongoing support and making resources more accessible is crucial for effective implementation. Toni Rose reminds listeners, "Advocating for yourself is a skill we want our students to have. This is a skill we're pushing and challenging our educators to develop as well."
The conversation concludes with a reminder for educators to know themselves as learners and connect with Kendal through the implementation support email.
Discussion questions for PLC and PD:
How can educators create a classroom culture that embraces mistakes and vulnerability, fostering a positive learning environment for both teachers and students? Share specific strategies or examples from your teaching experience.
The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration over competition among students, leading to increased independence and trust. How can educators intentionally design learning experiences that encourage collaboration, and how have you observed the impact of collaborative approaches in your classroom?
Advocating for ongoing support and making resources accessible is identified as crucial for effective implementation. In your teaching context, what specific challenges have you faced in accessing resources or support? How can educators collectively work towards making these resources more widely known and accessible within their school or district?
Our Host
Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that they never had growing up, so they focus on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around them. As a queer Filipinx, they understand just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. They especially love being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.
Our Guest: Kendal Giacomini
Kendal Giacomini is a former elementary and middle school math teacher. She holds a Bachelor's degree in elementary education from the College of Saint Benedict and a Master's degree in trauma and resiliency in education from Concordia University, St. Paul. Kendal currently works at the Modern Classrooms Project as the Program Manager for Teacher Implementation.
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