Hi Colleagues,
I hope this week’s edition finds you well.
I’ve finally been able to archive each newsletter on to my website with the help of Reid Clarke. Thanks Reid!
This might mean that you received editions 13 – 21 into your inbox again. Apologies if that was the case.
If you would like to check out previous editions, you can access them here.
QUOTE
“Educational research is not a blunt instrument that shatters all doubt about best practice. Rather it provides general direction that must be interpreted by individual districts, schools, and teachers in terms of their unique circumstances. In short, research will never be able to identify instructional strategies that work with every student in every class. The best research can do is tell us which strategies have a good chance (i.e, high probability) of working well with students. Individual classroom teachers must determine which strategies to employ with the right students at the right time. In effect, a good part of effective teaching is an art – hence the title, The Art and Science of Teaching.”
Robert J. Marzano, The Art and Science of Teaching: A Comprehensive Framework for Effective Instruction.
FUNNY OF THE WEEK
TWEET OF THE WEEK
‘A good teacher will educate you. A great teacher will joyfully inspire you to grow.’
Click on the link for a very cool video.
OBSESSED
I’m a little bit obsessed with The Tim Ferriss Show podcast.
I enjoyed the Morgan Housel and Kevin Kelly interviews so much that I thought I would go back to episode 1 and work my way through all of them.
I’m up to episode 52 at the time of writing, but he recently dropped episode #600. I’m torn as to whether I keep going the way I am, versus working back from 600. I’m enjoying most of the episodes, but they are 8 years ago.
The episodes have given me lots of writing ideas even though they aren’t specifically focused on education. I love how it also makes me think deeply regardless of the topic.
VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF TEACHING
In the latest edition of the VIT’s Professional Practice they featured my colleague Erin Beissel. Erin won the Outstanding Primary Teacher award at the 2021 Victorian Education Excellence Awards, and the article reflects the professional learning that Erin has both led at Clarinda PS, and engaged in herself.
Even though Erin is currently on maternity leave, such is her commitment to professional learning she attended the recent Curriculum Day at Clarinda PS we ran on numeracy. It was great to catch up, and meet little Audrey in person 😊
Erin and Audrey were also part of our inaugural online Study Group.
YOUTUBE
Back in May my talented Study Group team had our first get together. I’ve only just watched the recording back this week and I think we did a really good job 😊 So my plan is to convert this on to a YouTube Channel which I will share with you when it is ready. I would also love to turn it into a podcast if possible. Our second study group session is planned for week 2 of term 3. Stay tuned.
NETWORKS
In my time as principal, I was lucky enough to be involved in a couple of Networks that I found to be beneficial for both myself and my school. I also admire and aspire to the work that Kelly Gallagher has led in the Anaheim District.
Over the last month I’ve been able to work with two Networks, and as always found it rewarding and exciting.
In the Deniliquin Network we are focused on reading, and the schools involved are Barham PS, Deniliquin South PS, Finley PS and Mayrung PS. I’m co-facilitating this work with my colleague Matt Knight. I always enjoy working with Matt and having someone to bounce everything off.
The Shepparton Network has used the Department’s focus on numeracy as an opportunity to develop consistency across the Network. I’ve worked with some of the schools in this Network since 2017, so it is rewarding to be able to build on these relationships, as well as meet many educators for the first time.
At a basic level for both Networks it was a breath of fresh air to be able to come together in person. The learning we engaged in was a bonus.
HOLIDAYS
Hopefully as you are reading this you have settled into holiday mode, and the batteries are recharging.
Something I’m considering over these holidays is a digital reset.
It is so easy to lose large portions of time to social media, and I know for me there are much healthier alternatives than endlessly scrolling.
This blog post by Anil Dash has many practical actions that I’m thinking about putting in place over these holidays.
Thanks for reading and see you next week,
Danny.
P.S Feel free to provide me with any feedback regarding the newsletter, or anything for that matter via email. Also, let me know what topics you would be interested in reading more about.
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