Wishing Everyone
A
Happy New Year!!!
2021
Best of Luck to All.
Be Safe. Be Well.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
December 2020
A year that forever changed the way in which education is accessed by families, presented to students, and delivered by teachers.
Many challenges still lie ahead as education transitions back into the classroom of schools, where the teacher-student bond is forged, and students get to experience social interaction.
Thank you to all who have navigated these turbulent times in education and here's to some smooth sailing waters in the years ahead.
A printable guide for educators as they prepare for distance learning for the school year.
Our salute to the Class of 2020.
A look at education planning and guidance for the 2020 Summer Break.
The impact that COVID-19 could have on education as the 2020-21 school year begins.
COVID-19 has forever changed education, so what will happen next?
Distance Learning has turned every place you are into a classroom, how effective is that?
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, November 30, 2020
November 2020
As November of 2020 comes to an end,
And this year comes to a close,
In the haze of a Purple Tier COVID-19 across California,
Every county affected by a surge in infections,
There is brightness reached through great achievement.
The possibility of a successful vaccine is reachable.
Families adapted to new health regulations and made their best to have a safe and meaningful Thanksgiving Holiday. The nation paused to honor Veterans on 11-11, Armistice Day, the end of WWI and the events that followed. U.S. Citizens exercised their Voting Rights on Election Day in record numbers. Parents, Teachers, and Students, all agree that schools should be open for learning, but are cautious with regards to heath protocols.
Thank you for what you do for education.
For Students and Parents.
For Teachers and Para's
For Principals and Superintendents.
Thank You.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm, All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving 2020
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
Stay Healthy and Be Safe.
Reach out to those whom you won't be able to see this year.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, October 31, 2020
October 2020
Schools continue to develop and implement plans to welcome back students to schools and classrooms while taking the necessary precautions to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
The "Fall Classic" brought a great World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers with the Dodgers winning the championship since 1988. Congratulations!
It has also been a very active political month as the U.S. gets ready to vote in November's General Election with the highest office of the land, The Presidency, on the ballot this year. Make sure that you vote.
Finally, the great finale of October, Halloween, will have to be a bit different this year. So let your creativity be your expression while at the same time staying safe.
Don't forget to set back your clocks an hour as we return to Standard time and say good-bye to Daylight-Savings time.
Enjoy the extra hour!
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Happy Halloween
Happy Halloween!!!
Be Creative
Stay Safe
MRCR Education
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Stay at Home Education
Stay at Home (SAH) Education is an of education method offered by schools as an alternative to on site education due to the government mandated regulations issued to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19 that were implemented in the Spring of 2020. Stay at Home Education is based on the concept of instruction being delivered to the student's place of stay, or residence, primarily by way of digital dissemination of information.
Stay at Home Education Regulations
- Stay at Home Education is student based.
- Stay at Home Education is regulated by the school and district implementing it.
- Stay at Home Education must meet State Standards for academic and subject instruction.
- Stay at Home Education requires that students be fully engaged as they would be if instruction were taking place in the classroom with teachers, school support staff, and classmates.
- Stay at Home Education requires that a compromise in principle be reached between the parents/guardians of the students and school leadership with regards to efficiency, security and privacy of such method of education.
Assessment of Stay at Home Education
Stay at Home Education should be assessed utilizing formative assessment in order to ensure education standards are being met or exceeded by all students, collect data on student performance, and allow time to implement preventive measures for students not meeting such standards as required at grade level.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, September 28, 2020
September 2020
September has arrived recognizing the labor that educators do day in and day out regardless of whether it is a school day, holiday, or Labor Day.
This could not be more true as teachers, administrators, and school staff have come together to create the best possible distance learning protocol to serve the students they care so much about.
It has not been the best of circumstances under which to begin a school year, but all stakeholders in education are doing their best to adapt to new rules and regulations.
New challenges emerge almost on a daily basis regarding connectivity, access to technology, privacy, and high quality education that meets or exceeds state standards, all while also addressing the social issues currently taking place.
September also reminds us to acknowledge the contributions made by Latin American / Hispanic communities. Gracias!
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, August 31, 2020
The Education Reset of 2020
2020 has forever changed the way society goes about their daily lives including how to administer education to students who are unable to attend school due to COVID-19. In the Spring of 2020, as Business Shutdowns and Stay-at-Home orders were being implemented, teachers began to face the new reality of Distance Learning, and how to redesign those amazing lesson plans that were meant to be completed in class, as a group, under the supervision and guidance of the teacher.
As the school year came to a close, there was a sense of hope that things could get better over the Summer, and school would start as it normally would, but that hope began to fade and the realization eventually came that schools would not be able to begin the new school year with the rush of students sharing summer stories, figuring out schedules, and meeting new and old friends in familiar surroundings. 2020 has forced all educators to reassess and reevaluate how instruction can be delivered to all students while maintaining a safe distance and meeting academic standards.
As the new school year began to approach, students, parents, teachers, administrators, and all support staff and personnel waited in uncertainty as the State, Counties, Health Departments, and School Districts debated if schools were to be fully reopened, gradually or partially opened to some students at a time, or to implement complete distance learning. Each school began to make preparations for all the possible scenarios that they could face to start the school year, and the staff began to make preparations accordingly.
Now that the school year has begun there will no doubt be new challenges that will have to be addressed as they arise in this education reset of 2020. Issues like: access to technology, cyber-bulling, managing a classroom through a computer screen, privacy in the form of remote video recording and capturing screenshots, live parent involvement during instruction. and many more that have yet to manifest themselves.
This will be one of the most challenging years in education but there is no doubt that if we rely on our dedication to education and our passion of advocating for students and their learning as a strength, while relying on each other for moral and emotional support, we will succeed.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, August 30, 2020
August 2020
COVID-19 continues to affect how society interacts and it has forced education from the school site to a website.
Districts and schools worked diligently over the the Summer of 2020 to prepare for all types of scenarios to start the 2020-21 Academic School Year: On-Site instruction for all students, Hybrid Schedules to limit exposure, Distance Learning with no student contact, and many other possible instructional scenarios that could allow teachers to reach their students while preventing the spread of this highly contagious disease.
It will no doubt be a challenging school year for students, teachers, parents, administrators, and all who are dedicated to providing quality education for all. The task ahead is a difficult one and we will need to support each other if we are to succeed in making this one of the best years in education.
So wake up, get ready, and log on to your classroom!
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, July 31, 2020
The COVID-19 Education Gap
Last year MRCR Education posted about the Summer Slide. A decline in student performance following the Summer break due to limited participation in academic activities. The flow of education that a student experiences is interrupted and continuity of learning suffers with it.
It takes time to get back into the flow of going back to school: Waking up, getting ready, going to school, heading back home or going to an after school program, etc. As a result of the Summer Slide, the first few days, and weeks, of school are utilized as a transition period where teachers use the time to familiarize students with expected classroom goals, behavior, curriculum to cover over the year ahead.
This year the Summer Slide got an unexpected head start due to COVID-19 shut down of schools. The COVID-19 Education Gap began in mid-March as schools were mandated to shut down in an effort to help prevent the spread of virus, continued through the Summer, and continues still as we prepare to start the 2020-21 school year.
Students and teachers were forced to abandon schools while education desperately turned to distance learning as a way to survive. Education has been hanging on to electronic devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones) as life jackets, waiting to be rescued by any passing ship.
There is great uncertainty in education right now. Administrators, teachers, parents and students prepare to start the new school year while the on going debate of reopening schools takes place in the offices of elected officials.
Time is running out and difficult decisions have to be made across the many schools and districts that prioritize safety, student learning, and closing the COVID-19 Education Gap.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
July 2020
Educators in schools and districts across the country continue to prepare for all possible scenarios that might be faced while awaiting guidance from health departments and elected officials.
Parents make preparations in anticipation for the options that schools might offer, while making accommodations that meet their working situations, and ensuring that the health of their children and those in the household are prioritized.
Students do their best to understand the ever changing state of the school situation and do their best to stay in communication with their classmates in order to keep the lines of friendship intact.
These are uncertain times in the world of education and there is no crystal ball or fortune telling of what may come in the days and weeks ahead...but, if we work together, if we make decisions together, communicate them clearly, and collaborate, we will get through and come off better than we have ever been.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, June 29, 2020
The Summer of 2020
All things that are welcomed yet we seek shelter when extremes are reached beyond our level of safety and/or tolerance.
They make us long for the cold Winter nights and provide us with a chance to reflect on the school year that was and all that took place therein.
The impact of COVID-19 continues to affect education.
Educators are planning how to provide the best instruction possible while adapting new methods of education implementation.
Schools and districts look to health and government officials for guidance and share this information with teachers, parents, students, and all education stakeholders, in order to design a model that addresses everyone's needs and concerns.
Summer school sessions help to try out designs and ideas that could be implemented upon the return to school in the Fall.
Summer has also shined a light to shadowy areas of society that have been neglected and ignored for far too long among these: Protection, Justice, and Inequality.
It is also important that educators take the time to do a thorough self-assessment of all that has taken place this past school year, and to pause for some rest as this has been a most exhausting time for all of us.
Enjoy your Summer!
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, June 15, 2020
June 2020
It is the middle of June.
This would be the time when teachers, administrators, and all educators would breathe a sigh of relief as another school year had come to a close while Summer school would be starting up.
But this year was different.
With school shutting down back in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone (Teachers, Administrators, Educators, Support Staff, Parents, and Students) was affected and struggle to various degrees to make it to the end of the year.
The task now is for all of us to prepare as best we can for our return next school year.
Returning to School
It is imperative that we return to our classrooms.
As good and useful a tool that Distance Learning has been through this time of crisis (It has been, and it must be integrated into education) it has also shown that it is limited in its capacity to take over the role of In-Classroom Learning. Parent's concerns over possible contagion are valid and must be of concern to schools and their districts as preparations for the 2020-21 Academic School Year are planned out. Nevertheless, students must return to the classroom.
Safety
Fear of a second wave and the possibility of another stay-at-home order being issued will remain present for the foreseeable future. Therefore school safety must be prioritized for students to return to the classroom. Since the shutdown, schools and districts have been diligently working on sanitizing each surface in all classrooms. As part of the multifaceted approach to preventing the spread of COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be acquired and made available for all students and school staff. This includes masks, gloves, sanitizer, and making sure that washing stations are stocked with soap and paper towels.
Instruction
How can teachers prepare to start the school year when there are so many unknowns? By doing what teachers have always done each and every school year: Plan.
Teachers and administrators must work together to plan for all possible contingencies upon the return of students to school.
One way to make the transition back to the classroom is to use a Blended Instruction Plan that incorporates a Distance Learning approach through the use of a platform (ie. Zoom, Google Meet), a Central Data Storage device (ie. Server, Cloud) that meets the necessary needs for accessing information in a variety of ways (ie. Downloading/Uploading Lessons, Video Files, Learning Progress and Assessment), and the technology needed to access it (ie. Laptops, Tablets, Network Connection) with modified in-class instruction that addresses the concerns of all participants involved for as long as it is necessary and provides students with the best educational opportunity.
The task ahead is tough but educators can meet the challenge with the support and cooperation of parents, students, and all stakeholders in positions of educational leadership.
Let's get our students back in their classrooms.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Class of 2020
Congratulations Class of 2020!!!
You have reached the end of your educational journey.
A journey that has been filled with difficult challenges.
A journey that began in the shadows of a post 9/11 world.
A journey with an unprecedented financial collapse.
A journey with tragedy and loss of innocent lives.
A journey whose path became steeper and more dangerous with every passing moment.
A journey that would make even the most well trained people abandon it...
But not you.
You stay through it to the end.
You stay through it day after day, year after year.
You stay through it by persevering.
By making course corrections while maintaining your heading.
By adapting to new technology and means of communication.
By helping each other out and ensuring no one would be left behind.
Even as you were presented with more unprecedented challenges,
An unknown virus, personal sanitation, stay at home orders, mandated masks,
A death at the hand of those responsible for the protection of the people.
You wore your caps and gowns,
You logged on through your devices,
And you became the newest graduates,
The Class Of 2020.
Congratulations!!!
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, May 8, 2020
May 2020
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
Thank You.
For all you do,
We Love You.
Happy Mother's Day!
May has arrived and we take time to acknowledge our mothers.
Thank you for all you do, the many hats you all wear.
Nurturing. Caring.
Protecting. Advocating.
Loving. Supporting.
Specially during these tough times we are going through,
with COVID-19, Distance Learning, a future uncertain.
We turn to you for leadership, guidance, and shelter.
To return faith to the dreams of the class of 2020,
as they face a must difficult task ahead.
Thank you to all the mothers and mother figures.
Whose impact in out lives has made a difference.
Created the ever growing person we continue to become.
Thank You!
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, April 30, 2020
The Spring of COVID-19
"Even the darkest clouds must eventually give way to the sun."
There was no lesson plan or training that prepared educators to deal with the consequences of a global pandemic such as COVID-19.
No staff development, or professional development, or college class, or credential program could have prepared administrators or teachers for what the state of education is today.
To have to abandon the educational structure so familiar to all. It's scheduled calendar and class schedule in a school and classroom setting where social interaction is one of the key components of the students growth and development.
It has been indeed a dark time in education.
Nevertheless, educators did what educators do and have always done.
Educators have taken on the distance learning challenge and have manage to continue the education process for students and their parents. They have elevated their lessons above the dark clouds for students to reach in the safety of their homes.
Educators have done their best to ensure that the class of 2020 is prepared for the challenges that they will face ahead as they continue on with their education and schools prepare for their return.
Thank You, Educators!
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Edicational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
April 2020
The effect of COVID-19 in our daily lives continues.
While there have been many improvements made to stop the spread of this deadly virus, there is much work that remains to be done until it is fully under control.
Treatment continues to be limited, so we are left with preventive measures such as: Stay at Home, Social Distancing, and Face masks.
Education, however, continues through these difficult times, as it has and will continue to be.
The Parent-Teacher dynamic has become stronger during this time as both collaborate to implement distance learning.
The role of the Para-educator is now being adapted to include online collaboration and support of students and staff.
As preparations get underway to close the 2019-2020 academic school year, and prepare for Summer school and next year, take time to reflect and acknowledge on the newly discovered relationship bonds that will continue to make education the supporting pillar of society.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, March 30, 2020
Distance Learning Guide
Districts are doing the best they can, with the resources available, to take on the unprecedented task of mobilizing in classroom daily instruction into online webinars, home packages, and conference calls.
Gone is the daily social interaction of students and school staff that was so familiar to us for so many years...getting to school by the start of class, talking or playing before getting started, doing group work or silent reading, meeting with a reading buddy, going to the lunchroom to supply nutrients and more playing games in the school yard, lining up for PE or media center, access to supplies and materials for school work... all that is now gone, or to be fair, on hold until further notice.
Parents are now the principal and teacher to their own student-child. Classrooms are now in a home's living room, dining room, or bedroom. Classmates are now a profile picture on the sidebar of an online chat.
To help schools, teachers, parents and students adjust to this new way or distance learning, MRCR Education has designed a "Distance Learning Guide" that is available to all. We hope that it provides you with some needed support as we continue to adjust to the challenges during this time of need.
Stay healthy.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, March 20, 2020
March 2020
These are difficult times.
No classroom, school, or district could have foreseen the unprecedented events that have taken place due to the Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic that has affected the entire world.
Even as educators improvise and come up with creative and inventive ways to deliver education remotely to students, the conditions keep changing daily, even hourly, as new information becomes available and elected officials enact new orders.
This much is clear: Education must go on.
How schools proceed to serve students and their families will continue to be debated in the days and weeks to come, but distance learning is now going to be a primary method of service. So what does this mean and how does it look? Is it a live webcam broadcasting from our homes during school hours? Uploaded lessons for students to download and complete at home? Individual emails to students? Does each student have the technology to receive this type of instructions? Do educators?
There is no doubt that there are many questions and challenges that educators must face during this time of education and social interruption, but by maintaining communication channels open with faculty, administrators, departments, para-educators, office staff, etc. we will be able to do that which we have always done...
Provide the best education for students while supporting them in their time of need.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Saturday, February 29, 2020
Leap Day
It only happens once every four years
Happy Leap Day!
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
February 2020
The educational path that students and educators are on continues as the last days of Winter give way to those first signs of Spring.
We must continue to work towards those end of year goals of graduation, promotion, and growth that were established long ago, whose time will soon be here.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, January 31, 2020
A Vision for Education
Coming Soon...
A Vision for Education
by
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
A Vision for Education
by
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, January 20, 2020
January 2020
It is the start of a new year and the beginning of a new decade.
MRCR Education is taking this opportunity to assess the work and contributions done to better education.
MRCR Education has been developing a new vision that will be shared with the public later this month.
MRCR Education renews its commitment to be an education leader and advocate.
MRCR Education also wishes to thank and recognize the educational leaders and institutions who have help to guide us since 2012.
Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
Copyright 2020. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)