Life Changing Experience

Last summer, while going through my teachers prep program at Louisiana College, I was able to participate in a national conference held by Whole Brain Teaching. What a life changing experience this has been for me as an educator. It was so eye opening, so simple, but most of all so much FUN!

Chris Biffle and his team are simply amazing!

When school began this past school year, I decided to put some of WBT's strategies to the test. It seemed to good to be true! As the first few weeks went by, just incorporating the scoreboard, the Five Rules and the Class Yes!, I could not believe what I was seeing let alone experiencing. It was as if I was in a dream! My students were constantly engaged, their behavior met all expectations, and we were constantly having fun while learning.

As the year went on, I incorporated the Power Pix, the Genius Ladder, Biffy Toons, and the Mirror. It was the greatest year of my life. I was always excited to go to work and see my kids, but can honestly say that never once did I ever raise my voice. It was great! The best part was it was contagious. More and more teachers began using the tools I learned from WBT into their own classrooms.

By the end of the year, my students well exceeded Kindergarten Expectations. 90% of my students benchmarked on the end of the year DIBELS assessment (the other 10% missing by a few). I was absolutely amazed. The greatest part was that 1/3 of my class had exceptionalities. These strategies not only benefited my regular ed students but my special ed students as well! For this reason, administration has decided to Loop me with my students; we are all going to be First graders next year. So cool!

So I have decided to share my WBT experiences through this blog. I will try and post weekly on our successes, but also on the things that just didn't work as well.

Happy Summer,
Amanda

A New Journey

Well, summer time does not mean break time!  It means it is time to work on scheduling, organizing, and the unthinkable......changing classrooms.  Yup, that is right, I have to change my classroom.  For some, that is a horrific thought, but for me, it is an amazing opportunity.

Why you ask?  I have been asked to Loop with my students from Kindergarten.  I am so excited!  We have had so much success with my diverse class that they are wanting to track their progress with the same teacher....ME.  What a fabulous professional opportunity this is for me!

So, over the past few weeks of summer vacation, I have been moving all of our belongings from one classroom to another.....a FIRST GRADE classroom.  I will post more as the year begins of the looping experience and all the benefits that go along with it.

Where has the time gone?

I cannot believe that it has been almost 17 years since the birth of my first child.  It was such a wonderful experience and relished in all of the trials and tribulations that he went through.  My knight in shining armor, my humble child.  He is so compassionate, so loving, caring, friendly and most importantly has not change one thing of himself to fit in with his peers.  He lives for God and God alone and serves him continuely.

Last night, Tyler went to his Junior Prom.  He was so dashing!  Where is my little boy?  Where has the time gone?  Once upon a time, it was me opening doors for him because he was too little to open them himself.  Now, it is him opening for me!



I am so proud of who you have become Tyler John.  Continue on the path God has put you on!  He has wonderful things in store for you.

What in the world am I doing?

        I have decided to begin documenting the ever blessed life that I have.  Over the past 38 years, my life has taken so many twists and turns, and to believe that I have ended up where I am is can only be for the grace of God and his unconditional love for me.       
        God works in such mysterious ways, sometimes if we just sit still, we will hear him speak.  We will feel his presence!  He has a path for each and every one of us, we just have to get on it and let the auto pilot take control!