New Year's 2018

Wishing all of you a safe and Happy New Year!

Here is to a wonderful 2019 for all.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

A Look Back at 2018 (Part 2)

July 2018

Start with the 4th of July holiday then end with the 4th Annual Better Together: California Teachers Summit to kick off the new school year  with the theme of "Educating the Whole Child" #CATeachersSummit

August 2018

"When We . . .get ready to go Back to School let's make sure that we:
-Make Time to Prepare.
-Gather the Necessary Resources.
-Examine and Explore Each Site.
-Start with a Positive Attitude.
-Believe in Success."

September 2018

"What has taken place in our schools and classrooms.
-Have we done the best we can to welcome back our students and their parents?
-Are we prepared to provide the best education we can?"

October 2018

"Need a STEAM idea to celebrate? Look no further than Jack-o-Lanterns."

November 2018

Election.  Armistice 100th Anniversary.  Thanksgiving.

December 2018

Winter Break.  Holidays.  Welcome 2019.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

A Look Back at 2018 (Part 1)

January 2018

"The challenges that they will face are most likely to be solved by those who can draw upon a diverse education experience covering multiple subjects and areas of knowledge.

They will need to develop unique skills that adapt to new technologies, in a constantly changing world, where creative minds collaborate across time zones, geographic regions, cultural areas, and multiple languages."

CA EL ROADMAP

Vision:

"English Learner Fully and Meaningfully Access and Participate in a 21st Century Education from Early Childhood Through Grade Twelve That Results in Their Attaining High Levels of English Proficiency, Mastery of Grade Level Standards, and Opportunities to Develop Proficiency in Multiple Languages."

Mission:

"California Schools Affirm, Welcome and Respond to a Diverse Range of English Learner Strengths, Needs and Identities.

California Schools Prepare Graduates with the Linguistic, Academic and Social Skills and Competencies they Require for College, Career, and Civic Participation in a Global, Diverse, and Multilingual World, thus Ensuring a Thriving Future for California."

February 2018

+Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, FL+

March 2018

Students March in Solidarity to Parkland

April 2018

"Less and less time remains left in which progress can be made and assessed; but time, nonetheless, remains.  Educators can still advocate for struggling students.  Students can still request help from teachers.  Teachers can still guide students and collaborate with educators."

May 2018

"Students get ready for End-of-Year activities.  Seniors finalize their checklists as they prepare for graduation and start to get sized for caps and gowns; while Eighth and Fifth graders, in addition to Kindergartners, prepare for their promotion ceremonies."

June 2018

Summer! (Both School and Vacation)


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Reflecting on 2018

"Reflecting on 2018 - A guide on how to reflect and look back at the year that has passed".

As 2018 comes to an end educators and students should take the time to review and assess what has been achieved this year.  There is much that has taken place over the past 12 months and all has had an impact in our day to day education.  Every year begins with hope and a vision of a brighter future.  Every year ends with longing and nostalgia, in some cases even a bit of regret, over the decisions made and events that shaped the year that was.

As it is true of education, doing an overall assessment can be quite an overwhelming task to take on even when it is a self-assessment.  It is always good to have a partner to help through this process: a colleague, a friend or classmate, parents and relatives can be of great help and provide assistance and feedback.

Begin by making a list of all the events that you remember and/or were a part of, for example: 

1) Students in the classroom.
2) Teams and Clubs.
3) After-School Activities.
4) Sporting Events.
5) Art, Movies, Music, Television shows.
6) Society, Politics, and Government.
7) An "In Memoriam" to those who passed on.
8) Challenges not met.
9) Accomplishments Achieved.

then proceed to give each a rating or value of your choice:

- Stars and check marks.
- Impact in our life.
- Significance of the event.

and finally, reflect on how you have grown over the year.

Doing this, not only to end the year but on a regular basis, can help with grow and development in addition to helping with emotional understanding on how each of us was shaped and molded by the year that was 2018.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Christmas 2018

Happy Holidays. 2018.

Happy Holidays!

To all who visit our education blog and follow us on Twitter, we want to wish you a Feliz Navidad and Merry Christmas.

and to all Students, Teachers, Parents, Administrators, and all school faculty, staff, and education advocates: Enjoy the Winter Break.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

December 2018

Winter is Here.

We have reached the end.

The end of 2018, and what a year it has been.

It is time to look back upon the memories that we have made throughout the year; going back to that Monday on January 1st, when we rang in the new year with wishes of happiness and hope.

December not only bring s with it the end of the year, but in education it provides the opportunity to take a break during Winter and make an assessment that allows for corrections and adjustments in a student's educational path and , if needed, create new learning opportunities to meet set goals to be achieved by the end of the school year.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Preparing for Winter Break

Winter Break is near.

It is time to reflect on what a year it has been.

Schools prepare to take a winter break as people celebrate holidays and welcome in the new year.

Students need breaks from school to rest and recharge, but taking a break from learning can result in the widening of the academic performance gap.  Students can fall behind in education if they do not continue to maintain a minimum level of learning while they are on break.

Students can use the upcoming Winter Break to close this achievement gap by creating projects that help in the development of specific academic skills and/or knowledge & understanding.

Parents, Teachers, and Students can collaborate in the development of projects, establish a support network, and set reasonable goals; while also allowing for an enjoyable Winter Break.

Projects can be as simple as watching a series of pre-selected videos online and preparing reports on them, or as complex as attempting to solve a real-life problem that is currently making a significant impact on society.

During the time that remains between now and the beginning of Winter Break, educators should work with students and parents to develop Winter Break Education Projects (WBEP).  Through early planning, and the setting of clear assessments goals for WBEP's, students, parents, and teachers can help close achievement gaps in education.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Thanksgiving 2018

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

May you be able to spend time with your loved ones.

Thank You to all Educators!

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

November 2018

 A Wild Turkey

November has arrived!!! and with it comes a time of change.

Not just a literal change, as in time, as clocks are reset back to Standard time (from Daylight Savings time), but a change in leadership as votes are cast in the U.S. General Election.
Veteran's Day gives the opportunity to honor all who have served.  This year brings a special meaning as the world marks the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I on the 11th of November, 1918 at 11 AM.  This was to have been "The War to End  All Wars." yet every mayor conflict that the world has endured since can be traced back to this one event that enveloped the world at the beginning of the 20th century.

We also gather together with family, friends, and loved ones during the Thanksgiving holiday (while students and teachers share a well deserved break) to share the harvest that has been collected and will keep us throughout the Winter time.  A harvest that was planted in the Spring, grown through the Summer, and now collected in the Autumn Fall.

Welcome November, our second to last month of the year.  The last month before we reach December.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

2018 Halloween

Wishing Everyone a Fun and Safe Halloween!!!

Need a STEAM idea to celebrate?
Look no further than Jack-o-Lanterns.

The science behind Jack-o-Lanterns requires knowledge of lighting, luminosity, brightness, and transparency & opaque properties.

Technology has made Jack-o-Lanterns safer through the development of light sources operated by batteries and LED lights rather than candles and open flames.

Engineering and Art design are a must if you want to achieve the best lighting effects for the design of your Jack-o-Lantern.

Through the use of precise mathematical calculations, a Jack-o-Lantern can be replicated and improved upon.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

October 2018

Lithia Park, OR. 2015

October brings the orange hue of the foliage and pumpkins.

Fall is in its beginning stages as leaves change color then fall.

Autumn makes its presence felt with a cool night and a cold front.

Indigenous People are recognized, honored, and remembered.

Halloween serves to reminds us of innocence and death.

Sugar Pumpkins

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

September 2018

September is now midway through its schedule.

The month began with a celebration honoring the labor done by all workers as Labor Day celebrations took place.
A well deserved break point from the rush of back to school activities.

September also provides a chance to appreciate life and honor the sacrifice made by those who are going about their way of life and those whose job it is to face danger, secure  an unsafe location, and provide the most essential of care for those who have been injured, as we remember and pay tribute during September 11th.

It is also time to celebrate Hispanic/Latino heritage.

Starting with the independence festivities of various Latin-American countries and culminating with recognition for all the Native American peoples whose great culture and civilization flourished throughout the new world.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Labor Day 2018

Wishing all Educators a wonderful Labor Day.

As we reach the first holiday of the school year, let us pause and reflect on what has taken place in our schools and classrooms.

-Have we done the best we can to welcome back our students and their parents?

-Were there any issues that may have caught us off guard?

-What do we want to share with parents during Back To School Night?

-Are we prepared to provide the best education we can?

-Do we have the energy to make it through to the next holiday? (It won't be until November for some).

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Back to School 2018-19

"To The 2018-19 School Year"

Yes.

I still get butterflies on the first day of school.

It is that unknown.  What is not known.

That missing information that took form over the break of Summer.

About a classmate that was missed and out of contact.

About a teacher that lead and educated a classroom for a year.

Or maybe just half a year.

Or a sub that filled an emergency vacancy.

It is that unknown. What is not known.

Even when returning to a familiar environment.

Now perhaps a different color.

Now perhaps a little smaller.

The habitat in which a whole school existed.

The habitat in which students and teachers share a territory.

It is that unknown. What is not known.

Why we go to school to learn, to become educated.

Taking on an whole new school year.

Taking on every college & career assessment.

By studying.

By teaching.

It is that that will become known.

What will cease to be unknown.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

August 2018

Welcome Back August!

It is that time of the year once again.
It is time to get ready to go back to school.

Parents are getting ready to enroll their kids.
Students await New Schedules, Book Pick-up, and Orientation.

In schools, classrooms are getting cleaned up, chalk is being dusted off from blackboards, whiteboards are being cleaned from the accidental use of a permanent marker, screens and monitors are wiped down along with desks, chairs, and tables.

It is the last chance to check the air conditioning that will keep things cool these last few days of Summer as students return to a new year of learning.

Teachers are preparing posters, bulletin boards, cubbie holes, baskets, and welcome back packages.
Lesson plans are in the process of  being developed, and finalized, so they can cover the many strands of standards students must learn.
Plans from previous years, whether they succeeded or failed, are updated and/or reassessed.
Trainings are taking place on topics from School Site Action Plans to new technologies that have been adopted for the classroom.

In this time when We (Students, Parents, Teachers, Principals, Administrators, Support Staff, Education Advocates) get ready to go Back to School let's make sure that we:

-Make Time to Prepare.

-Gather the Necessary Resources.

-Examine and Explore each Site.

-Start with a Positive Attitude.

-Believe in Succeess.



Have a Wonderful 2018-19 School Year!



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

2018 Better Together: California Teachers Summit

Better Together: California Teachers Summit

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator & 4th year attendee.



It has been my unofficial "Back to School" event for the past four years, the "Better Together: California Teachers Summit".

Established in 2015, the Better Together: California Teachers Summit takes place across multiple locations throughout California, where teachers, educators, administrators, policy makers, and education stakeholders, can come together to kick off the new school year with keynote speakers, break-out sessions and activities, and moderated discussions on issues that affect students and how teachers can prepare to handle them.

From State Standards, Formative Assessments, English Learners, Parent Participation, Mindset, SEL, STEAM, and Coding, to Online Assignments, Assessment, and Collaboration there is no shortage of topics and material that can help teachers get started on a positive note and help them keep the momentum going throughout the school year.

I wish all teachers a wonderful school year for 2018-19 and hope that your experience at this years Better Together: California Teachers Summit serves as an inspiration to each and everyone.

#CATeachersSummit

Better Together: California Teachers Summit.

Welcome Teachers!

Welcome to CA Teachers Summit!

Leave your thoughts on the wall.

Resources for the school year.

Which way to my next session?

Grab breakfast and review the agenda.

The stage is set! Live feed in 4, 3, 2, ...

Auditorium begins to  fill up for the summit.

Introduction and welcoming remarks on site.

Participants in attendance await keynote speakers remarks.

2017 Keynote Speaker Dr. Jill Biden.

Taking notes at a breakout session.

At a breakout session discussing parent involvement.

Attendees proceed to morning breakout sessions.

Attendees wait for colleagues to arrive before registration.

Attendees gathering on site between morning sessions.

Attendees gather for a social luncheon and networking.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

July 2018

Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July!

Have a safe and wonderful holiday.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

June 2018

Greetings to all during this Summer Break!




Looking forward to continuing to share more posts about 
English Learners, 
STEAM, 
HAST, 
and other educational issues and events.



Thank you for visiting MRCR Education.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

May 2018

May marks the final whole month of education.

It is time to assess what students across California have learned during the 2017-18 school year and wait for the results the CAASPP will reveal in the fall.

Local Education Agencies (LEA's) are also submitting the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) to their local County Office of Education for approval.

Students get ready for End-of-the-Year activities.
Seniors finalize their checklists as they prepare for graduation and start to get sized for caps and gowns; while Eighth and Fifth graders, in addition to Kindergartners, prepare for their promotion ceremonies.

Proud parents, friends, and relatives reflect on the passage of time as they see these kids, our students, take part in these rites of passage that mark their educational milestones.

So get ready to get a little nostalgic.  Let the melancholy flow through each one of us as we prepare to close the 2017-18 Academic School Year and make plans to give a big sendoff to the Class of 2018!  



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

April 2018

April. 

It is National Poetry Month.

It is when Jackie Robinson is honored for breaking through the greatest human barrier of diversity and integrating the national pastime of baseball on Jackie Robinson Day.

It is when one of the most inhumane acts committed in the 20th century is recognized as Holocaust Remembrance Day is honored.

It is the marker in time where education takes its final points of pivot before setting off toward the accomplishment of Graduation.

The final break of Spring is over.  It is time to sprint toward the end of school.  Less than 3 months remain in the school year.  Less than 12 weeks of school left.  Less and less time remains left in which progress can be made and assessed; but time, nonetheless, remains.  Educators can still advocate for struggling students.  Students can still request help from teachers.  Teachers can still guide students and collaborate with educators.

April should serve as the month in which students, teachers, parents, educators, and advocates come together for that one last pitch in support of education for future generations.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

March 2018

The days continue to grow longer as the seasons transition from the last days of Winter to the first days of Spring.

March has sprung up into our calendars and it is time for students and educators alike to put a spring into their step as we approach the last few months of the school year.

It has already been a busy month as an hour was lost during the spring forward to daylight savings time.

Across the country students organized a student walkout to show support for those students lost in the Florida tragedy.

Women's History Month serves to remind us of the significant contributions women have made in a variety of professional fields, society and human endeavor.

The festivities of St. Patrick's Day, with its green shamrocks, take place as we partake in the celebrations from the Emerald Isle.

Baseball diamonds, from little league to the pros, roll out their green grass fields as we root for our favorite teams.

Madness takes over as brackets are filled and Cinderella stories develop in college basketball.

All this and more goes on in March as education continues its forward progress towards the end of school, the promotion of students into the next grade level, and the class of 2018 prepares to don their caps and gowns and receive their diplomas, certificates and degrees.

As we welcome Spring, and await the arrival of the last school breather known as Spring Break, we take time to do some last course corrections and fix our headings before unfurling our sails towards the sunset of the 2017-18 school year.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

February 2018

The month of February has been memorable.

To summarize:

It began with the Super Bowl where the Philadelphia Eagles prevailed over the New England Patriots.

Then it was followed by Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday thus marking the beginning of Lent.

Afterwards Presidents Day and the start of the celebration of the Lunar New Year, the year of the Dog.

And it concluded with us taking part in the CA EL Roadmap Review Committee as the California capital of Sacramento was blanketed by a late winter storm of cold air and rain, hail, and snow.

But all this was in the midst of a tragedy in a school in Florida that ended the lives of students and educators.

This month of February has reminded us just how precious every day of life is, and how it is precious that we continue to give our lives to education, as learners, as students, as parents, as teachers, as administrators, as advocates and stakeholders in education, and the importance that we all have in an interconnected information net where we must identify weaknesses and make prompt and efficient repairs, or face a continuing damage that deteriorates and vanishes into air over time.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

California English Learner Roadmap

In 2018 California begins implementation of the California English Learner Roadmap Policy.

This policy was approved by the State Board of Education on July 12, 2017 and it comes following the passage of Proposition 58 (English Proficiency.  Multilingual Education.  Initiative Status) in November 2016.

It is the first change in policy language regarding English Learner education in nearly 20 years (Last changes were under Proposition 227, passed in 1998).

The English Learner Roadmap Vision states that:

"English Learners Fully and Meaningfully Access and Participate in a 21st Century Education from Early Childhood Through Grade Twelve That Results in Their Attaining high Levels of English Proficiency, Mastery of Grade Level Standards, and Opportunities to Develop Proficiency in Multiple Languages."

and is supported by four Principles that provide it's foundation:

Principle #1:

Assets - Oriented and Needs - Responsive Schools.

Principle #2:

Intellectual Quality of Instruction and Meaningful Access.

Principle #3:

System Conditions That Support Effectiveness.

Principle #4:

Alignment and Articulation Within and Across Systems.

MRCR Education had the pleasure to send a representative to the California Department of Education Public Meeting held in Sacramento on September 2017 titled "The California English Learner Roadmap: Strengthening Comprehensive Educational Policies, Program, and Practices for English Learners" where experts and stakeholders reviewed the new policy, engaged with participants, and provided a preview of the draft guidance document.

At this meeting MRCR Education made a commitment to assist the California Department of Education with the implementation of the EL Roadmap through one of three presentations available to schools, districts, LEA's, and County Offices of Education.  For more information email us at mrcreducation@gmail.com Subject Header "California EL Roadmap Presentation".  MRCR Education is also sharing the following guide to help you get started with understanding this new policy.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.