Kansas State University

Lori Goodson, Editor
Mary Hammel, Technical Editor

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Ready for a little more purple in your life? Then plan to attend the All University Open House, and make a special visit to the College of Education’s Bluemont Hall. And don’t forget to bring future Wildcats!

Saturday, April 11, is the All University Open House. Visit the various buildings on campus—including your College of Education—from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We’ll have a festival atmosphere at the COE with plenty of family-friendly events, and we’d love to have you be a part of it.

Here’s a list of the college’s events, with the theme of “Unfold Your Future” Around the Globe! Also at that time, you’ll be able to order a 50^th anniversary COE T-shirt to show your COE Wildcat pride!

And, let’s face it—it’s just a great excuse to come back to Manhattan, run into some old friends, and check in with your favorite college on campus!

11 a.m.:

• Global Focus: Live Music. Dean Debbie Mercer, College of Education, 50^th Anniversary Kick-off Presentation. Outside, Holen Courtyard of Bluemont Hall (BH).

2 p.m.:

• Global-Focus: Live Music. COE Dean Debbie Mercer-College of Education 50^thAnniversary Kick-off Presentation. Outside, Holen Courtyard of BH.

9 a.m.-3 p.m.:

• Africa—Creativity & Color: Flower Color Creation Activity.  Sponsored by Education Ambassadors. 1^st Floor BH.
• Europe—Courtyard Connection: College of Education 50^th Anniversary Kick-Off, Wishing Tree, Scribe Boards, Train, Bounce House, Kettle Corn and Drinks, Balloon Animals, Live Music. Sponsored by Education Council. Outside Courtyard, BH.
• Global—Council Connection: COE Open House Welcome and Information Table, History of the COE Table, Tour Guides, COE Programs. Sponsored by Education Council. Outside, Front Doors of BH.
• South America—Discovery Dynamics: Fold Your Own Treasure Chest, Create a Goldmine of Knowledge. Sponsored by Multicultural Education Student Organization for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. 1^st Floor BH.
• South America—Ecuadorian Enthusiasm: Face Painting, Ring Toss, Information about Ecuador, Treats. Sponsored by Ecuadorian Student Association. 1^st Floor BH.
• Australia—Educational Exploration: Sand Tray Station. Sponsored by School Counseling Student Organization. 1^st Floor BH.
• Asia—Folding Your Future: Origami, Pagoda Photo Booth, Ink Scrolls, other various Asian art activities. Sponsored by National Art Education Association. 118 BH.
• North America—History Happenings: Historical Characters Wax Museum.  Sponsored by Social Studies Club. 1^st Floor BH.
• North America—Learning & Laughing: Trivia Game, Education Presentation.  Sponsored by Kansas National Education Association. 1^st Floor BH.
• Global Literacy—Reading Round-up: Book Fair-children’s and adult books for sale. Sponsored by Kappa Delta Pi. 1^st Floor BH.
• Antarctica—Scientifically Speaking: Science Exploration Station. Sponsored by COE Diversity Director. 1^st Floor Lobby BH.

We asked some of your favorite Curriculum and Instruction professors, “What do you think is most enjoyable about teaching this age level/content area?” We think you’ll find their responses provide you with a few smiles…and some motivation to keep up your good work in the classroom.

Dr. Brad Burenheide (Secondary Social Studies)— “Everything. The content, the kids, it is intellectually stimulating and enjoyable.”

Dr. Sherri Martinie (Secondary Math)— “There are so many applications of the content to the real world. There are definitely opportunities to be creative teaching math. It is also very rewarding when students that have struggled with math start to make sense of things and enjoy learning the subject.”

Dr. Tom Vontz (Elementary Social Studies)— “The honest and sometimes inaccurate and funny interpretations of the world that come from the mouths of little kids.”

Dr. Vicki Sherbert (Secondary English/Language Arts, Speech/Theatre, Journalism)— “We get to bring exciting literacy experiences to our students. Sharing our enthusiasm about books, authors, poetry, drama, etc. with our students is critical to help them develop their own literate lives.”

Dr. Phillip Payne (Music Education)— “The most enjoyable part for me is to see students developing their love and knowledge of music. They learn to take ownership of their musicality and to see that is immensely gratifying.”

It’s March—which means spring rain, a much-deserved break, and assessments! While you may be putting in a few extra minutes in your classes reviewing material for the tests, it’s also a good time for you to consider the achievements your students have made—whether they show up on a test score or not.

As your students take the assessments, know that you have done your best. If you’ve kept a journal for reflection, now’s the time to spend a few minutes flipping through the pages and seeing just how far your students—and you as a teacher—have come.

Take time to reflect upon your teaching…and how you’ve prepared your students for these assessments…and, most importantly, for succeeding in your class and with your content. Flip through your past lesson plans and make note of what works and what didn’t, what needs improvement and what was successful.

As assessment results come in, make use of that data. Use the results to see how your students have progressed and to determine what general areas of your content you may need to spend more time on or approach in a different way.

Do not, however, judge your teaching abilities based on assessment results. Assessments are only part of the picture regarding your students’ achievements. Ideally, testing would be an absolute way to judge your abilities to help students learn. But veteran teachers and administrators know other factors can affect how your students do on the tests.

Andrew Biery
ESS Teacher, Junction City High School
USD 475
“I enjoy working at USD 475 because of the amount of professional development and the overall atmosphere in Junction City.”

With just a little over two months left in the school year, you’re about to lose the title of Rookie Teacher. However, don’t overlook those last eight to 10 weeks. You still need to have a strong finish!

Use spring break and weekends to recharge as you set your sights on the end of the school year. Consider these ideas to help you end your year on a high note…and make your administrator thrilled to have you return for your second year:

• Now that you’ve been through several months, review your lesson plans. Make any alterations you believe are necessary to ensure the success of you and your students.
• Check with colleagues or administrators to make sure you’re aware of any end-of-year requirements—paperwork you need to have completed, special dates to put on your calendar, etc. It’s one more opportunity to make sure you’re not overlooking anything important.
• Take a deep breath and promise to enjoy your students. They’ve been your students for nearly eight months. Take a few seconds each day to simply look around the room and appreciate them.
• Remind yourself of at least one moment of progress or success that each student has experienced.
• Take another deep breath and promise yourself to focus on the ups more than the downs of your first year of teaching. With a couple months left, you still have time to make changes, mend fences, and make the most of their time with you!

Do you have a question about classroom procedures? Or a suggestion for a topic we should address in Before the Bell? Want to add your name to our mailing list? Or provide a different email for our mailing list? Or, if you’re in your first year of teaching, send us a photo of you at work in your classroom! We’d love to hear from you, so please email us at lagoodson@k-state.edu.

Go, COE Cats!

You’re about to wind up your first year of teaching! Congratulations! Be sure to read next month’s newsletter for:

• The Home Stretch
• Cool Things about Your Secondary Content
• Wrapping Up Your First Year