Awesome first training!

The training today with the elementary academic support teachers couldn't have gone any better. 48 teachers attended!!! They were very complementary in the use of the Google survey to conduct a needs/interest inventory. They were validated to see their input play a prominent role in the training. I think they will be even more willing to participate knowing that their input is valued. We're definately off on the right foot. A few tough questions were posed and I had to say "it's still under review" a few more times than I would have liked, but they understood that we're all still working out the details in the aftermath of so many changes due to budget cuts. They all agreed that the reorganization of our department was a change that was responsive to their needs. We brainstormed together how we can all interact and are going to look into creating a group within Project Share. I think that may be the best alternative because it accomplishes two things...one we can collaborate via the forum or discussion board within our group and it gets more teachers to dip their toe in the waters of Project Share. Also represented today were Title I teachers, a few instructional coaches, an assistant principal, and two representatives from the Dept. of Other Languages. One of the best discussions centered around interventions truely fitting the needs of the students. We discussed using a strength/interest to "hook" the kids into seeing the relavence of the math. I reminded them of some leveled math books that were purchased a couple of years ago and that reminded the DOL teachers of the leveled math books that were purchased for the ESOL students that could also be used in interventions. The brainstorming and collaboration was incredible! We're going to accomplish some great things - - together - - for our students.