School and Community Summer 2023

Project 180

AI in the classroom Soft skills

Textiles Program Weaves Community Support

SCHOOL & COMMUNITY The magazine for educators

SUMMER 2023

Looking for Customizable Training for Professional Learning?

Look no further than MSTA’s Professional Learning Department, which can provide full-day, half-day, or early-out trainings on a variety of key topics in education. Our trainings are designed to meet the unique needs of your school or organization. You choose the topic, and we will customize the training to fit your specific goals and objectives. Our trainings can cover a variety of education topics, including:

Scan the QR code to visit our website and view our current offerings or contact us at professional_ learning@msta.org

• Student Engagement • Instructional Design • Classroom Management

• Technology Integration • Trauma-Informed Practices • And more!

Full-Day Training - $500 Our full-day trainings provide a comprehensive deep dive into your chosen topic. This is the perfect option for organizations that want to cover a lot of material in one day.

Half-Day Training - $250 Our half-day trainings offer a condensed version of our full-day training, perfect for organizations that want to cover a topic thoroughly but have limited time.

Early Out Training - $175 Our early-out offerings provide an excellent opportunity to get started on a topic in a short amount of time. These trainings can be tailored to meet your needs and can be completed in less than 90 minutes.

Please note that costs do not include reimbursement for travel-related expenses.

Our team has a wealth of experience working with educators and administrators to provide effective, high-quality trainings. Contact us today to schedule a training for your school or organization.

Advocating for and empowering public educators so they can teach. www.msta.org/events • 800-392-0532

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14 Project 180

10

MSTA HAPPENINGS 5 Professional Learning

FEATURES 10 Stitching Success

12 Artificial Intelligence

7

MSTF Grants

14 Project 180

8

Notebook

32 What Comfort Zone?

17 PD2Go

22 Meet the MSCs

COLUMNS 4

36 News

President’s Column

20

18 Soft Skills Grow Strong Leaders

38 New Staff

20 Loving Weller, Building Scholars

39 Honors

28 Wildflower Lessons

40 PSRS/PEERS

30 SEL in the Middle

44 Reading Circle

35 Passions in Retirement

46 Book Review

42 Realities of Education

47 Rewind

32

On the cover: Brock hand-stitches his masterpiece. Photo credit: Lindsay James

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800-392-0532 • www.msta.org

Perspective

Embrace Change and Thrive

BY MSTA PRESIDENT STACY BLAKLEY C hange is not inherently good or bad, but it is inevitable. Benjamin Franklin said, “Change is the only constant in life. One’s ability to adapt to those changes will determine your success in life.” Change is exciting, difficult, invigorating and exhausting. It is proof we are alive. Whether professionally or personally, we are all in the midst of change. In our house, we are still getting used to the empty nest phase of life. It’s quiet. Sometimes the quiet is peaceful, and I am thankful for this phase of life. Other times, the quiet is too much and I find myself longing for the noise of little girls in our house. I even long for the days when I would find random messes left by “Not me,” who was a constant visitor in our home. Somehow “Not me” moved out at around the same time our two youngest went off to college. Change is unavoidable and is often one of the most challenging trials to navigate in life. It can often feel overwhelming and stressful. When you find yourself facing change, I encourage you to remember that while you can’t always control what is happening, you can always control your response. While making one of my many professional transitions from teaching 4th grade to special education, a mentor asked why I was switching, and I replied that I just liked change. He said, “No, you crave the challenge.” He was so right. I probably have the worst case of professional ADHD! I always want to teach something new or teach something old in a new way. I rarely use the same activities from year to year. Thankfully, I have been very blessed with administrators who have provided me opportunities to expand my teaching skills on many levels. It has not been an easy journey for me, but it has been worth it! Stepping out of your comfort zone is difficult and risky. One of the main challenges we face during change is the guaranteed disruption of our sense of stability and routine. Things which are known are comfortable... They provide

a sense of security. With change often comes fear and anxiety. Whether you are changing jobs, moving schools, relocating or ending a relationship, change often involves the possibility of failure. Here are some strategies that help me navigate change: • Be grateful for the opportunities you have. Name three things you are grateful for each day. These could be simple things like having a roof over your head, having food to eat or having a supportive friend or family member. Being grateful can help shift our focus from what we don’t have to what we do have, which can increase our overall sense of well-being and happiness. • Look for opportunities for growth and learning. Celebrate small successes. Acknowledge when you’ve learned something new or completed a task. Celebrating small successes can help build confidence and motivation to continue learning and growing. • Be mindful. Change is hard; prioritize taking care of yourself. Find what makes you calm and happy. Giving ourselves the freedom to explore what works for us can help us find the self-care practices that best support our well-being. • Lean on your support system for the encouragement and perspective you need to overcome challenges and move forward. • Give yourself grace. You don’t have to know how to do everything immediately. Talk to yourself as if you were your best friend. We often hold ourselves to high standards and can be internally critical when we make mistakes or don’t meet our expectations. You don’t have to know how to do everything immediately, and it’s okay to make mistakes along the way. Change can be challenging, but it can also be the path to great things. By embracing change and learning from the journey, you can thrive through the challenges. To quote Roy Kent, a character from one of my favorite shows, Ted Lasso, “Don’t you dare settle for fine!”

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The magazine for Missouri educators

MSTA OFFICERS President, Stacy Blakley, St. James R-1 President-elect, Pam Lowe, Sikeston R-6 Vice president, Amy Kelsey, East Buchanan C-I Treasurer, Andrew Reynolds, Centralia R-VI Past president, Chuck Martin, Bolivar R-1

Mini-Course Series Available in Teachable In addition to the online courses already available to members at no cost at all, MSTA now offers a new Mini-Course Series. The Mini-Course Series consists of various pre-recorded webinars that allow participants to watch the webinar of their choice and then take a short quiz. Upon successful completion of the quiz, a certificate of completion documenting 0.5 hours of professional learning is issued. This is a great option for educators needing documentation of professional learning for Career Ladder or other requirements. If no certificate of completion is needed, the webinars can be accessed at https://motea.ch/ Webinars. Managing Trauma & Classroom Behaviors Retreat Join us Sept. 8-10, 2023 at Bunker Hill Retreat in Mountain View, Missouri for an insightful weekend of learning and connection. It is a stressful time in education. To carry out the work we want to accomplish in the classroom, we must first understand the impact of stress on the brain and our students' basic needs. Using the principles of the Neurosequential Model and traumatology helps us to better address factors such as disruptive behavior, low motivation and other behaviors that teachers are currently seeing in their classrooms. First, we must learn how to reach our students. Then, we can teach our students. Learner outcomes: • Gain an understanding of how childhood trauma impacts learning and behavior • Understand the basic principles of the Neurosequential Model • Understand how to make adjustments to current procedures in order to create a brain friendly environment • Learn ways to incorporate intellectual safety into learning tasks Get Involved with MSTA Professional Learning Opportunities

BOARD Kezia Bohanon, North Kansas City 74, Gtr. Kansas City Region Amanda Bradshaw, Mt. Vernon R-5, Southwest Region

Tisha Clawson, Bolivar R-1, Southwest Region Dana Cravens, Richmond R-16, Central Region

Diane Gonzales, East Newton Co. R-6, Southwest Region Noelle Horner, Hillsboro R-3, Jefferson County Region James Kreyling, Mehlville R-9, Greater St. Louis Region Tyler Lappe, Cape Girardeau 63, Southeast Region Beth Ogden, North St Francois Co R-1, Southeast Region Mindy Parshall, Hannibal 60, Northeast Region Andrew Reynolds, Centralia R-6, Northeast Region Ashley Stanton, St. Joseph, St Joseph Region Christopher Wright, Rolla 31, South Central Region

MEMBER SERVICE COORDINATORS Kim Bielinski

Glenn Bussen Keri Cottrell Marca Hayter Aubry Kruse Mike Martin

Jen Conner Tracy Darian

Maddy Johnson

Ryan Lewis Kari Nolting

Shaelynn Nordwald

Sarah Papineau

Mindy Walker

Mike Walsh

MSTA COMMUNICATIONS Administrative Assistant Jennifer Bacon Director of Marketing and Communication Todd Fuller Design & Video Coordinator Michael Lising Digital Strategist/Project Manager Kara Potter Creative Media Specialist Lindsay James

Bruce Moe

MSTA Executive Director

PUBLICATION POLICY Articles published in School & Community do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Missouri State Teachers Association.

Advertising: Only those products, services and programs endorsed by the Board of Directors of the Missouri State Teachers Association may carry such notification. Advertising in School & Community does not imply such endorsement. Indexed by “Education Index.” It is the policy of the Missouri State Teachers Association

not to publish materials or advertising that would promote a competing organization or be detrimental to the Missouri State Teachers Association.

Copyright © 2023, Missouri State Teachers Association. All rights reserved, including the right to reprint any article, photograph, cartoon or artwork published herein. School & Community (ISSN 0036-6447) is published three times during the year by the Missouri State Teachers Association. Non-profit bulk postage paid at Columbia, Mo., and at additional mailing office. Annual subscription price of $15 is included in membership dues. Current single copies cost $3.75. Postmaster: Send address changes to School & Community, 407 S. Sixth St., P.O. Box 458, Columbia, MO 65205-0458.

What you get: • Training facilitated by MSTA Professional Developer, Darbie Valenti Huff • Lodging on Friday and Saturday night at the scenic Bunker Hill Retreat • Three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday Register at msta.org/events.

(Volume 109, No. 3)

We want to hear from you Share your thoughts on our publications, suggest article topics or express an opinion about education in Missouri. Write: School & Community, P.O. Box 458, Columbia, MO 65205 Phone: 800-392-0532 Email: editor@msta.org

P.O. Box 458 Columbia, MO 65205 LOCAL: 573-442-3127

800-392-0532 www.msta.org

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Join us at MSTA’s State Convention for FREE Professional Learning!

One Rule To Rule Them All 2023 MSTA State Convention Keynote Session Friday, November 17th – 10:30 AM You only need one rule in the classroom to manage student behavior - The Golden Rule. “Treating students the way you want to be treated” not only keeps you from repelling students away from you, but it actually attracts them to you. Even the students that give you the most amount of trouble are not immune to the rule’s transformative power. The rule also works when dealing with difficult parents, unpleasant staff members, or even your ornery kids at home. In this keynote, social psychologist Dr. Brooks Gibbs breaks down the science behind the Golden Rule with strategies for wielding its power in the classroom. Using humor and practical insight, Dr. Brooks presents a fresh look at a 3,000-year-old maxim for dealing with difficult people.

Elevate your teaching skills with high-quality workshops that can count towards Career Ladder. Choose from a wide range of topics relevant to today’s educators, including classroom management, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices just to name a few. Our workshops are designed and delivered by experienced educators. Plus, you have the chance to network and collaborate with fellow educators from across the state, creating meaningful connections and professional relationships.

Your professional learning culminates with International Speaker, Dr. Brooks Gibbs Keynote Address, One Rule to Rule Them All.

Don’t miss out on this exceptional opportunity for FREE professional learning that will make a difference in your classroom.

MSTA State Convention

Thursday, Nov. 16 Assembly of Delegates

Friday, Nov. 17 State Convention

Workshops, exhibit hall and special speakers are free as part of your MSTA membership. CTA presidents are encouraged to submit the delegate(s) names by October 23rd to Suzanne Conner at sconner@msta.org. For more information about the MSTA State Convention, visit www.msta.org or call (800) 392-0532 Hotel Reservations All activities will take place at the Holiday Inn Executive Center. Hotel rates for MSTA members are $119 plus tax. The group rate ends 30 days prior to the event. To reserve your room, call the Holiday Inn Executive Center at 1-888-465-4329 and provide Block Code “STA” or Group Name “MSTA Annual Convention”.

Dr. Brooks Gibbs

Award-Winning Resilience Educator, Social Psychologist, Author and Creator of BULLY PROOF: The Step-by-Step Program to End Bullying

See you November 16 -17 in Columbia, MO!

6 | SUMMER 2023 S&C 800-392-0532 • www.msta.org

Advocating for and empowering public educators so they can teach.

What would you do with $100 for your classroom? The Missouri State Teachers Foundation awards grants to teachers monthly, and all MSTA members are eligible to apply. Here are a few ways previous grant winners have utilized their funds:

Stacey Block , a pre-K teacher at Grandview R-2, received a $100 Classroom Grant from MSTF which she used to expand access to immersive centers in her classroom. She purchased lamination supplies and manipulatives with the money. “Each day we rotate between five centers within the classroom,” Block said. “They include colors, shapes, letters, numbers, letter sounds and letter of the week readers. We have so many different levels of learners in Pre-K and these hands-on activities promote individual learning.” Stephanie Crank (Sweet Springs R-7) used her $100 MSTF grant to purchase spot on sight word makers for her carpet, as well as decodable readers. A. Grace Cronin (Springfield Public Schools) received a $100 MSTF grant, which she used to purchase books for her 5th grade class. “THANK YOU for selecting our classroom to be a recipient of the Classroom Grant Award,” she said. “The grant for Look and Listen Learning went towards the purchase of a literature set that we will use for a whole class book club!” Lisa Simms (Centralia R-6) purchased a document camera with her MSTF grant money in spring 2022. “I like modeling how to complete graphic organizers, write stories and solve math problems,” she said. “My class is very motivated to talk through their thoughts when they are able to explain and draw it in front of the whole class.” The MSTF classroom grant application is accepted throughout the year, running from Aug. 1-July 31 of each year. There will be two grants awarded per month for a total of 24 grants throughout the year. Applicants only need to submit one application to be eligible for the year. These grants provide funding to assist teachers in positively impacting student success in the classroom. Visit mostf.org for more information.

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Notebook

I’m not a teacher, but I play one on TV… A new course at Illinois State University asks students to examine education issues through the lens of pop culture, specifically the TV show Abbott Elementary. The course - “Public Education’s Possibilities and Predicaments: Exploring Portrayals of Critical Issues in ‘Abbott Elementary’” – introduces students to topics by reading academic research articles and textbook chapters, then explores how those issues are addressed in the news media, TV and movies. Relevant Abbott Elementary episodes are used to discuss topics such as gifted programs, charter schools, discipline and more. At the end of the course, students craft a pitch for an episode that highlights an issue not previously addressed on Abbott Elementary.

The end of college admittance tests? More than 80% of U.S. colleges and university require ACT or SAT scores on applications, a number that is more than twice what it was in the spring of 2020. While many institutions will factor in a standardized test score if the applicant chooses to include it, there are 85 that will not consider that information at all. That group includes the University of California system. Advocates for excluding college admittance exams note that the tests typically aren’t useful for measuring a student’s potential, and that a student’s high school GPA is a much better predictor for college success. The number of 18-year-olds choosing to go to college is decreasing, so institutions want to make it as easy a possible to apply. Colleges that did not require test scores saw a larger pool of highly qualified applicants, along with more diversity within that group in the Fall of 2021.

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A High School for Future Teachers A school district in San Antonio is combating the teacher shortage by creating a high school geared toward future teachers. The CAST Teach High School is a partnership between the University of Texas at San Antonio, the Northside Independent School District and the CAST Schools Network, a nonprofit behind several career-focused San Antonio high schools. In its first year, the district had 85 rising ninth-graders sign up for a high school experience that includes hands-on experience working with younger students and observing teachers in action. Students take all their core classes at CAST Teach High School in addition to learning the curriculum. For example in Algebra I, they also learn the strategies that go into teaching those concepts. Students are also able to help design and deliver lessons. Older students participate in field experiences to expose them to various facets of education, like coaching, counseling and different subject matters and grade levels. The district acknowledges the program is a bit of experience, but one they hope will pay off when its first students become certified teachers in 2030.

Creating School Savings Through Sustainability

According to a report from the Center for Green Schools at the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council, districts reported high savings when hiring a sustainability director to focus on energy savings and other initiatives. Districts that responded to the survey reported they saved nearly 10 times what they spent on the administrator’s salary. One district reported cutting energy costs by 30%, which amounted to $300 for each of its students and created funds to be shifted to the education side of the budget. In addition to focusing on ways to reduce waste and conserve water and energy, people in these roles are increasingly working with student activist and curriculum leaders to bring sustainability into teaching and learning.

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Stitching Success Textiles Program Weaves Community Support

BY LINDSAY JAMES, MSTA CREATIVE MEDIA SPECIALIST, PHOTOS BY KARA POTTER M exico High School’s Fashion, Textiles and Design program has captured the attention and hearts of the local community. Led by Sarah Gooch, who also teaches business and family and consumer sciences, the program has grown from just 13 students in its first year to approximately 39 students every year since. Gooch recalls the humble beginnings of the program.

cycle,” she said. “The members of the Quilt Guild have been able to see and identify the fabrics that they’ve donated and how they were used. It just sparks more enthusiasm and synergy from our community because they want to continue to help our students learn.” The program not only teaches practical skills such as sewing and design, but also helps students develop grit and resilience. “If there is something they want to make, let’s say a skirt, they have to think about what we have that is no longer used and can be cut up for fabric to make that skirt,” Gooch explained. “Or if they have a hole that they accidentally cut with a rotary cutter, that’s an opportunity for them to do some hand stitching or hand embroidery to create a flower over it. There’s math involved, too. We always say, ‘measure twice, cut once.’” For many, sewing has become a passion that extends beyond the classroom. One former student, Lillian Yager, and her family have become owners of a local quilt shop called Homestead Hearth. The shop is less than a mile from the school and has provided the program with unique collaboration opportunities. “It’s brought me closer to my family and by helping the school, I feel like I can really give back to the program that

“All we had to work with was half a bed sheet and a bag of googly eyes,” she said. “There were some broken sewing machines over at the middle school that we were able to get over here, but that was it for a while.” Determined to build a successful program, Gooch turned to the community for support and has since received over $137,000 in donations and grants, including fabric, tools, accessories and enough new sewing machines to seat an entire class. The local Quilt Guild has been a large supporter of the program. Gooch believes that getting students in front of the community is key to garnering support. “Whether it’s in pictures, in the newspaper or in person with different organizations, it helps our community know, ‘Oh, this is what they’re making,’ and then they want to be a part of it. It’s just a wonderful

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gave me so much and gave me my career path of where I am today,” Yager said. She enjoys bringing fabric and patterns to school for the students to create quilts and shop samples. In the future, the Homestead Hearth hopes to offer internships for Mexico High School students as well. “This is really exciting because then students will have something to add to their resumes,” Gooch said. “It’s a dying skill because not many people are knowledgeable about sewing. I know that our youth are in front of their computers and phones quite a bit, so it’s important that they can use the creative part of their brain and create something that is all theirs.” Passionate students have also created projects outside of school. Brooklyn, a sophomore in the Fashion, Textiles and Design program, has fully embraced the skills she’s acquired in Gooch’s class. “I enrolled in the class because my grandma used to show me how to sew, but she passed away,” Brooklyn explained. “When I found out that Mexico High School had the class, I made sure it was part of my schedule which I planned out two years ago. And so far, I’m still on the same path. I love sewing, I do it all the time.” Brooklyn has made more than eight quilts out of various fabrics and old t-shirts. She enjoys the creativity and challenges that go into each project. “Some of the other girls and I have done a bunch of zipper patches and keychains and stuff,” she said. “Sewing is kind of like a puzzle to figure out how things work best. There are a lot of working parts. I have enrolled in two quilt shows, which is where people can walk around, touch, look at them and judge the quilts. Sometimes I’ll get a ribbon, depending on what placement I got.” Other students have demonstrated their knowledge at home, often sewing items for family members. Jeremiah, a freshman in the program, has used his skills to help his

family with tasks at home and is proud to show them his creations. The program has also has a unique effect on intergenerational relationships. “A huge, huge thing that I have seen with young people that take this class is now they have something to talk with their grandparents about,” Gooch said. “We’re bringing generations together through a craft. I’ve heard that story over and over. Now, instead of going to visit grandma and just sitting and watching TV, they have something to talk about.” Another student, a sophomore named Lucas, has found similar inspiration in the program. “I took this class because my grandma owned a embroidery shop in Columbia,” he said. “I’ve always been fascinated by sewing and how many things can be done in such a short amount of time with a set of equipment. I mainly work on the large embroidery machine and I’ve been able to do a lot of cool things, like put my initials on a few jackets.” This hands-on experience has helped develop skills that he otherwise wouldn’t have been able to devote time to learning. “It’s a great class,” Lucas said. “It’s really nice to be able to have something to look forward to during the school day.” Gooch is proud of the program she’s built and looks forward to seeing it grow further. When asked about advice for other teachers who would like to fundraise and advocate for their programs, she said, “Showcase your students’ enthusiasm and share your vision! People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves that helps to promote our young people’s accomplishments.” In Gooch’s words, sewing is a metaphor for the rest of life. “Things aren’t always going to work the way you planned and might not fit your pattern,” she said. “You’ve got to figure out how to stitch it up, take a deep breath and move on.”

Counter clockwise from top; Jeremiah, Brooklyn, Lucas and Brock

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Empowering Education with AI: a Guide to AI Resources for the Classroom

BY CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT, ROLLA 31 W

hen you think of artificial intelligence, what comes to mind? Some might imagine a post-apocalyptic world created by the Skynet

for K-12 teachers who want to enhance their teaching and learning experiences. One of the main advantages of generative AI is that it can provide personalized and adaptive content for students. For example, generative AI can create customized questions, exercises, feedback or explanations based on the student’s level, interests, goals and preferences. This can help students learn at their own pace and style, and improving their motivation and engagement. Another benefit of generative AI is that it can enrich the curriculum and learning materials with diverse and creative content. For example, it can produce realistic images or videos to illustrate concepts, facts or phenomena. It can also generate stories, poems, songs or games to spark students’ imagination and creativity. Generative AI can help teachers create new content for their lessons or assignments, or remix existing content in new ways. This technology can foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students. For example, generative AI can challenge students to analyze, evaluate or critique the generated content. It can also encourage students to explore different perspectives, scenarios or possibilities. Generative AI can inspire students to design, create or improve AI-generated content.

AI. Others might think of the Enterprise’s computer in a more utopian future, as seen in Star Trek. No need to imagine a future context, however. If you use a modern cell phone, you have used AI for a few years. Artificial intelligence has recently become a trendy topic, especially in education. Thanks to companies like OpenAI, with their ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) tool and their picture creation tool DALL-E2, generative AI has become quite fashionable. What sets this generation apart from previous versions of AI technology is its ability to create novel content using example datasets to train the AI. Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay and this current generation of generative AI is just the beginning of what this technology will become. It will only get better. Definition and Benefits Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of AI that can create new content such as images, text, music, or speech. It is based on learning from data and using it to generate novel and realistic outputs. Generative AI has many applications and benefits for education, especially

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User Beware Generative AI is a powerful and promising tool for education that can offer many opportunities for K-12 teachers and students. However, it also comes with some challenges and limitations that need to be addressed. A few things teachers need to be aware of: • Tools have different ages in the acceptable use policies. Be aware of a student’s age before using an AI tool. • Both teachers and students should be careful of what they share with AI chatbots. Most of these tools are in beta, so app makers and researchers will examine the user’s chats with AI Chatbots. • Some image generators use pictures AI models. We will see court cases about whether or not companies have the right to train their AI models using copyright-protected media. • We are still in the early days of publicly available generative AI. Searches are much more costly than a regular from the internet to be trained on. There has been proof that copyright protected images were used for training Google search. Eventually, users will have to pay to use AI tools or they will have advertising. • AIs are not always correct. If they don’t know something, they will confidently make something up. Researchers call this "AI hallucination." Information from AI should be double-checked. • Most AIs are trained on large datasets from the Internet. Unfortunately, biases found in the training data may appear in search results. AI Tools As of June 2023, these AI tools might be helpful for you. = Freemium tool, some features are free to use, or you can pay to upgrade for more features. AI Cheat Check (demo.aicheatcheck. com) - Check student work to see if an AI was used to write something. Tools like TurnItIn have added AI detection to their products as well. Bard (bard.google.com) is Google’s version of ChatGTP. It is currently in Beta, and you must request to join the Beta program before it becomes generally available. Google will = tool is a paid service. = Free tool.

integrate Bard into all the Google Apps like Gmail, Docs, Sheets and Slides. Brisk (www.briskteaching.com) is a Chrome Extension that will check Google Docs and Google Classroom comments for AI-generated content. More tools are being added soon. Right now, Brisk is in Beta and is free, but that could change. Canva Pro (canva.com/education) is known for being an excellent visual design tool. Their most recent update added several AI tools like Magic Erase, Magic Edit, Magic Write, Magic Presentation and Magic Design for all Pro accounts. Teachers can get a free Pro account at the listed address. ChatGPT (chat.openai.com) is the tool that made AI chatbots popular. ChatGPT 4 is even more powerful and can take in not just words but images as well. Microsoft has integrated ChatGPT into the sidebar of the newest version of the Edge browser, and they will also add it to the Office applications. Conker.ai (www.conker.ai) auto generates quizzes on a specific topic and age level. This tool allows students to answer on devices, and it grades for you. Make sure you read over the questions before you give the quiz! Curipod (curipod.com) - Give Curipod a topic and grade level, and it will create a slide deck with interactive activities that students can do via their own devices. Always remember to check the accuracy of the information before using it with students. DALL-E 2 (labs.openai.com) creates images from text. Type what you want the picture to look like, and DALL-E 2 will give you four images to choose from. See also: Adobe Firefly (free during the beta), Midjourney and DeepAI. Elicit (elicit.org) - Taking an educational research class? Elicit can find relevant papers without perfect keyword match, summarize takeaways from the article specific to your question and extract essential information from the papers. GrammarlyGo (grammarly.com/ grammarlygo) , the tool that gives you writing suggestions, will soon have AI built into it. It will write for you from a prompt, rewrite new versions of your

writing and respond to emails. Next Three Books (nextthreebooks. com) - Tell Next Three Books what you like to read, what level you want to read and the writing style. The site will suggest three books for you to read. Paraphrasing Tool - StudyCrumb (studycrumb.com/paraphrasing-tool) - Copy and paste text into Study Crumb, which will paraphrase it for you. Recipes by AI (letsfoodie.com/ai recipe-generator) - Tell Recipes by AI what ingredients you have and it will develop a recipe using those items. No need to go to the grocery store. TeachMateAI (teachmateai.com) has 40 tools to help teachers out from Letter Writer to Math Problem Starter. This site is based in the UK. It is similar to TeacherBot (https:// teacherbot.io/) Transvribe (transvribe.com) - Don’t have time to watch a YouTube video to get information? Give Transvribe the video address, and then ask a question. Transvribe will find the answer in the video. This tool impressed me. Vocal Remover (vocalremover.org) - This free online application will help remove vocals from a song by creating karaoke. Once you choose a song, artificial intelligence will separate the vocals from the instrumental. You will get two tracks - a karaoke version of your song (no vocals) and an acapella version (isolated vocals). As you can see, AI has the potential to transform education in many positive ways. It is not a substitute for human teachers but rather a tool that can augment their role and effectiveness. Teachers still play a vital role in designing meaningful learning activities, providing emotional support and encouragement and fostering a positive learning environment. Teachers need to be aware of the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to education and be prepared to integrate it into their teaching practices in a pedagogically sound way. By the way, parts of this article have been written by ChatGPT. Can you tell which parts were written by AI?

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Project 180 Unleashes Student Success

A chieving a high school diploma is a crucial milestone for young adults but many students face social and emotional challenges which make it difficult for them to accomplish this goal. MSTA member Jennifer Moore has spearheaded the Project 180 program at Union High School, which allows a safe space for at-risk students to connect with each other and gain additional help with schoolwork. The program has become a beacon of hope for students, while also providing a helping paw to some furry friends. Over the past three years, Moore has worked to carefully lay a foundation of mutual respect and understanding in her classroom.

BY LINDSAY JAMES, MSTA CREATIVE MEDIA SPECIALIST

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“My students talk a lot about how they’re just not ‘people-people,’” she explained. “They often struggle with connections.” This awareness of her students’ emotions led Moore to explore alternative ways to engage her classes and build social skills. Drawing upon her own love for animals, she reached out across the street to the Franklin County Humane Society of Missouri for inspiration. The shelter was excited to partner with Moore and together they crafted a plan for her students to volunteer frequently. Project 180 students have learned how to sweep floors, clean windows and care for animals, among other tasks that some had never done before. This experience has, in many ways, bridged the barrier between students and the outside world. “The class has helped them with their grades and social emotional wellness, but now they’re also able to donate their time, which feels good for everybody,” Moore stated. “The shelter has been amazing, accommodating us and making sure that we always have tasks to do. My kids really, really love going there.” This collaboration has instilled a sense of responsibility and compassion in Moore’s students, improving their academic performance and well-being. Some who were initially reluctant to participate have become enthusiastic volunteers who now take pride in their work. Moore says that the experience has helped her students become more empathetic, especially if they themselves have had an emotionally tough time. Animal-assisted therapy is a growing field in the mental health industry, and studies have shown that interacting with animals can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and increase feelings of happiness. For at-risk youth who may be dealing with trauma, neglect or abuse, animal therapy can provide a safe and non-judgmental environment where they can heal and learn valuable life skills. “They gravitate towards the animals,” Moore said. “They’re always petting them and whispering to them - probably about stuff that they’re stressed out about. Some will cry. They just love just holding the animals and it’s a nice release of emotion.” The opportunity has also allowed Moore to connect with students who were previously unengaged in their classes.

“It was a struggle to build a good relationship with two boys in particular before going to the animal shelter,” she said. “And then as soon as we went, I saw them holding a puppy and they were so excited. Now they’re animated and I have an ‘in’ to get to know them better.” Project 180 students are monitored in accordance with three indicators: behavior, attendance and grades. Time spent volunteering at the shelter has benefited the class in each of these areas. “You don’t know what kind of motivation someone needs in their personal life to do what they need to do. If they know they get to go to the shelter at least once a week, they’re here and there doing it.” Moore added. The teens often share their exciting experiences on Snapchat and Instagram, generating envy among other UHS students. Moore says that this has inspired other teachers to explore opportunities with the Franklin County Humane Society of Missouri as well. “Hopefully there are now less things that are placed on the shelter workers because the kids are able to do it and get that sense of fulfillment and professional development,” she noted. As a special project, Moore has led her classes in a donation drive for the shelter around the time of her birthday each spring. This year, items totaling $3,000 in value were donated by less than 70 students. “Seeing at-risk kids who have never really been involved in school bringing in hundreds of old blankets, comforters, towels, cleaning supplies, toys, etc... It’s just beautiful,” Moore said. “We’ve tried other community service activities in the past, like how we partnered with Key Club last year for a blood drive and it was pretty successful. But it was not anywhere near the success of this because, again, my kids don’t really gravitate towards other human beings.” Moore finds excitement and motivation in the connections and milestones that her students achieve, which makes her look forward to coming to school every day. Despite the adversities her students may face, she witnesses progress on a daily basis. “They’re now able to do the things that they don’t like – a lot of my kids had never written an essay before,” Moore explained. “I’m able to work with them on tasks like writing and see their accomplishments. When they say, ‘Oh my gosh, I did it’... it’s almost addicting. They’re

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just so excited, and we celebrate the big things, but we mostly celebrate the small things. If a student struggles coming to school and they show up every day for two weeks in a row, that’s a huge success in itself.” It is important to Moore that these wins are shared with others. Sharing updates with parents and other teachers via established channels of communication is vital to the success of her program. One close supporter of Project 180 is Nicole Kuske, who teaches history and is one of the Missouri Options coordinators at Union High School. Although Kuske often interacts with students in the program while at school, her connection to Moore’s class is personal as well. “My daughter was a sophomore when she had my first grandchild in December,” Kuske said. “So this year, with her pregnancy, keeping up with school has been a particular struggle. I would say about sixth grade was when she started to dislike school in general. Although her father and I are both in education, she does not really value school as a place of learning or social development.” Although Kuske’s daughter is now enrolled in online schooling, the time she spent in Moore’s Project 180 made a world of difference to her outlook on education. Moore ensured that she was comfortable in the classroom and free of stressors that would further complicate the logistics of going to school while pregnant. “This program has been a Godsend because Jenny is fantastic at helping kids see the forest through the trees and see that they are valuable human beings. Especially from the point of view of someone that they know does not have to love them,” Kuske explained. “In my daughter’s case, nothing I say to her is valid [in her eyes] because I’m her mom and I have to love her. Mrs. Moore does not have to love her, and she does anyway. Jenny is excellent at helping kids see that.” Kuske says that Project 180 has impacted not only the students, but also the faculty of UHS. Building relationships with students and their other teachers has allowed Moore to gain a unique, blended perspective on difficult situations as they arise. “Our climate has spun much more towards restorative justice and making sure that these kids know that they are loved and are taken care of. Because they have those needs met, they are free to learn,” Kuske said. “An authoritarian point of view would not fly in an

environment like this. They listen because they love her, not because they feel like they have to. The rule is the rule, and they respect that because she taught them that love and that respect. We could save so many more kids if we had a thousand Jennys.” In just three years, Project 180 has made long strides toward Moore’s goal of nurturing students and furthering their education. She enjoys sharing knowledge about behavior management and trauma-informed learning and often leads conference workshops on these topics for MSTA. Jennifer Moore can be reached by email at jennifer.moore@unionrxi.org.

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GO PD 2

1st Quarter, 2023

Free Resource

Name Game

Podcast

Bippity Boppity Boo is an engaging way for students to learn one another's names at the beginning of a school year.

A new school year means establishing a welcoming

Hosted by the author of Teach Like a Pirate, this podcast is equal parts energy and relevance.

environment for your students. Here is a free resource that can help you do just that!

Scan here to check out the Dave Burgess Show.

After the school year is in progress, Bippity Boppity Boo is a great brain break to revisit often to reinforce social skills and boost energy.

Chrome Extension Add a little pizazz and

Block Posters is a free resource that will allow you to print huge, customizable posters for your classroom or hallways. Simply upload your image, customize the size settings and then your poster will be ready to print!

capture students' attention by personalizing your cursor using the Custom Cursor extension. There are a variety of collections available for Chrome or Windows users.

Selfie Rosters

Learn more here!

Do you struggle keeping track of all the new names and faces at the beginning of the year? Then creating a selfie roster will help you, while you help your students with basic computer skills.

An added bonus is that this can be added to a sub binder and will be a great resource for your substitute teachers throughout the year.

Have questions about these resources? Contact professional_learning@msta.org for more support.

Scan to access template.

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Soft Skills Grow Strong Leaders BY PAM CLIFTON, WEST ST. FRANCOIS CO. R-4 M ichael is a recent college graduate. His impressive resume includes many accomplishments: a bachelor’s degree in hard skills - how can teachers weave these soft skills into their classrooms and prepare students for all aspects of a potential career?

accounting, extensive computer software knowledge and numerous awards and certificates. These accomplishments indicate Michael’s long list of technical skills and practical abilities acquired through education and experience. These skills are necessary, but what about the ones employers are really looking for? Some of the most impressive abilities cannot be measured with high scores and awards. Soft skills, or “people skills,” are invaluable to employers and essential for any workplace. They include time management, work ethic, etiquette, conflict resolution, listening, being a team player, public speaking, communicating, leading, self-reflecting, decision making and more. Also called “employability skills,” these are essential for students when they gain employment, whether immediately after high school or once they complete college. In fact, many managers say their employees struggle with these skills. Job descriptions are more likely to explicitly list “hard skills,” but often gloss over work habits and personality traits. A 2021 survey from BestColleges.com revealed that one in three Americans value soft skills over hard skills. Clearly, education cannot revolve solely around learning

Note-taking, self-reflection, class discussions, group projects, teamwork and peer reviews are great ways to introduce soft skills. Create active listening opportunities for students by including guest speakers but be sure to review expectations before the event. Teach students how to respond appropriately to guests by reminding them to always be positive, polite and professional. Mentorship can also be advantageous for students. Collaborating with mentors, particularly when pairing younger students with their older peers, fosters effective communication and enhances skills such as adaptability, problem-solving and more. West St. Francois County R-4 places emphasis on developing various soft skills in their high school students over the course of all four years. Among the skills that West County High School counselor Andrea Simily prioritizes is the creation of educational resumes. These serve as valuable tools for students when they apply to colleges, scholarships and jobs. Furthermore, students engage in activities that are relevant to their career paths such as interest surveys, college and career fairs and other similar activities. The school’s JAG program helps students practice for

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job interviews, requiring them to dress professionally and experience an actual interview with local business leaders. JAG and tech students also attend industrial tours to gain exposure to careers available within the community. Many other groups work to develop comparable skills as well. The school’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members take on a huge role in the fall when they plan, prepare and serve an entire meal to area veterans. Unitec Health Services students assist the elementary and middle school nurses with health screenings each year. Student council members lead the school in the Pledge of Allegiance and report the daily announcements. “We depend on students to lead our school activities,” Simily said. “And they learn important skills while they’re doing it.” When Melissa Pipkin became a counselor and student council advisor at West County Middle School, she recalled soft skills like parliamentary procedure which she had utilized in her Family and Consumer Science classroom and FCCLA organization. “My middle school students looked at me like I had a third eye [when I mentioned the process of conducting a meeting],” she said. “They didn’t understand the concept of making a motion, discussing the issue on the floor, then using their voice to vote on it.” Pipkin has learned to take small steps in planning activities and leadership principles because “even the most intelligent of students can get tripped up on concepts they are not used to practicing or seeing being practiced,” she explained. Her students work in small groups with a variety of leadership styles to brainstorm realistic activities for the school year. “No idea is off the table,” Pipkin said. “Allowing students the freedom to think aloud and practice their creativity, they come up with some pretty outlandish ideas. But after discussing each activity and breaking it down into more doable projects, it is surprising the unique

service projects they have produced.” Each year, the student council ensures they involve students, teachers and staff members in activities. They have contributed to the betterment of the community through fundraising activities and donations to memorial scholarships for deceased students. Additionally, the council has provided support to a family traveling to and from the hospital by donating food and gas cards, and aided the Cardinal Glennon toy closet by providing toys for children experiencing extended hospital stays. This year’s fundraising efforts collected more than $1,000 to support the Special Olympics of Missouri. “The main goal I have for my students is to think outside the box, create a realistic plan for the activities we want to complete throughout the year and serve others,” Pipkin emphasized. “After we complete an activity, we evaluate it by discussing what went well, what didn’t go so well and what we would do differently if we chose to do the activity again.” Through these enriching experiences, West County students build numerous soft skills such as leadership, motivation, responsibility, communication, teamwork and collaboration, time management and so much more. Regardless of a student’s grade level or if they’ll choose college or a career after they graduate, soft skills should be part of their education. Teachers must purposely create opportunities for students to learn, experience and hone these skills. When they do, students become confident, self-reliant, responsible, productive and employable members of society.

Pam Clifton teaches sixth-grade English Language Arts and reading at West County Middle School in West St. Francois Co. R-4. She can be contacted by email at pclifton@ wcr4.org.

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