Author: dcpsschoolplanning

Stevens ELC Staff Feature: Rob McCarthy, Music Teacher

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Learn more about our music teacher and what kinds of resources he recommends for your family at home!

What is your role at Stevens for the SY20-21? How long have you been teaching? I will be the music specialist at Stevens for the SY20-21.  I finished my MMEd at Boston Conservatory in 2015 and went on to teach PreK through 8th Grade music in Massachusetts.  I am very excited to teach our new students this year!

What do you love most about the ECE age group? Teaching this age group reminds me that music is for everyone.  Regardless of ability or background, anyone is capable of engaging in, and finding joy in, music.  Just like our young learners, anyone can find joy in singing, dancing, and music making!

Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy? “If you’re not having fun then you’re doing it wrong.”  It sounds simple enough but it’s true; students are more likely to be engaged if the lesson is exciting and full of joy.  Especially at this age, where children learn through tactile/kinetic experiences.  In order to foster interest in our subject areas, we should show the kids why we fell in love with it too!

How can we make virtual learning successful? Virtual learning will be successful if the community – teachers, families, and peers – are there to support our students during this very strange time in our lives.  If we all make the commitment to our students, we will get through this with flying colors.

Are there any resources you recommend for families? As far as music resources, I just recommend any music making apps or websites that are user friendly and get kids making music quickly.  For smartphones there are an endless number of apps.  A fun website for students and parents to explore is Incredibox, where you can easily make your own songs.

What are some of your favorite children’s books or music resources? For Books, I love Oh, The Places You’ll Go! By Dr. Seuss, as well as Strega Nona  by Tommie dePaola.

For Music, I always recommend a cd by Raffi.  Also check out 1, 2, 3 Andres! For some great bilingual children’s music.

What was your favorite childhood book or music memory? Sitting in the car with my dad listening to all of his Rolling Stones albums.  Then memorizing the words to all the songs.  Then singing those songs to anyone who would listen, making my dad laugh.

If you could have any super power what would it be and why? I would love to teleport!

Stevens ELC Feature: Ms. Melissa Grant, ELS (Early Learning Supports) Teacher

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What is your role at Stevens for the SY20-21? How long have you been teaching? I am one of two Early Learning Supports Teachers at Stevens. This is my 17th year teaching and my 13th year in DCPS.  I spent the last 12 years at Oyster Adams where I opened and taught in the ELS classroom. I also opened an inclusive Pre-k classroom and taught a year of kindergarten.  I am very excited and honored to be a part of the Stevens community!

What do you love most about the ECE age group? Teaching in early childhood is pure joy!  I am grateful for the opportunity to engage in creative work each and every day.  I love the passion with which young children approach everything in their lives.  They are compassionate and kind and fiercely love their friends.  They dive into every activity with commitment, courage, and creativity.  

Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy? I strive to build a warm, loving, structured, and equitable classroom community.  Children thrive in an environment where they feel safe, loved, and heard.  In my classroom community, children have a voice in developing the classroom community and learning space. Children learn best when they have opportunities to grow, explore, and express themselves through play, construction, creation, discovery, and design.  

How can we make virtual learning successful?  

  1. Be kind to yourselves!   Give your family time to adjust to and build skills for distance learning. 
  2. Set up a dedicated and special space just for learning.  Let your child help design and build it.  Think creatively! Perhaps it’s a desk, perhaps it’s a fort or a tent. You know how your child learns best.  Follow their lead in creating the space.  
  3. Communicate ​and collaborate with your teachers!  Tell them how things are working for you.  Let them be a partner with you to collaborate for success.  Let your teachers be a source of support to you.  

What are some of your favorite children’s books? There is so much joy and creativity in children’s literature it’s hard to choose! Here are some favorites:

     Hug, by Jez Alborough (this is the loveliest little book about helping a friend)

     Oh No George by Chris Haughton  (his books have a sweet sense of humor and gorgeous illustrations)

What was your favorite childhood book? ​I loved Richard Scarry books because of the intricate and detailed illustrations.  I would pore over them for days and days.  

What is a fun fact to share with our families? Fun fact:  I studied to be an actress before becoming a teacher!  It’s been a natural transition from acting to teaching because like acting, much of teaching is about listening, observing, reflecting, and responding.  I love to incorporate my musical training and singing into my teaching as much as possible.  

Stevens ELC Staff Feature: Kristen Brown, ELS Teacher

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Meet one of our Early Learning Supports (ELS) teachers, Kristen Brown!

What is your role at Stevens for the SY20-21? How long have you been teaching? This is going to be my 8th year teaching and my 4th year teaching with DCPS. I will be one of the Early Learning Support teachers. Previously I taught in a prek CES classroom. 

What do you love most about the ECE age group? I love ECE because you can incorporate so much learning into play and see so much progress in students so quickly! I love teaching foundational skills that I know will benefit each student forever. 

 Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy? I believe each student learns best when instruction is tailored and differentiated to meet their own learning needs. Education is not one size fits all. I love creating materials and adapting the curriculum for my students to make sure every student has access to learn. 

How can we make virtual learning successful? We can make virtual learning successful by having compassionate collaboration. This is such a challenging time for so many for many different reasons. Building relationships with families and students is key before learning can take place.

What are some of your favorite children’s books? Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus by Mo Willems, Dot by Peter Reynold, Pete the Cat, Click Clack Moo, Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin

What was your favorite childhood book? Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey

If you could have any super power what would it be and why?  I would want to be able to fly so I defeat my fear of heights and also get from place to place faster!

Stevens ELC Staff Feature: Violette Taylor, Librarian

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Previously we shared the DC Public Library Books from Birth program with all our enrolled families in our e-newsletter. Families can sign up for a free book each month until their child is 5 years old!

Check out this presentation below to learn more about our librarian, Violette Taylor!

Stevens ELC Staff Feature: Susan Tso, PK3

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How long have you been teaching? This is my 21st year in Education.  I started at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center and taught in various community settings in DC during my first ten years.  I’m grateful to have had in every role imaginable—from Instructional Aide to Assistant Director—and learned the fundamentals of the whole-child approach and my own teaching philosophy during those times.  In 2010, I came to DCPS as an ECE Instructional Specialist and worked at several schools throughout the city coaching ECE teachers and administrators on recommended practices. In 2016, I transitioned back to the classroom to work with children and families on a day-to-day basis at School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens.  Teaching is really where my heart is, and it was like coming home.  Though there will be plenty of “new” this year, I’m excited to start this new venture at Stevens ELC!

What do you love most about the ECE age group? Ultimately, Early Childhood (birth to age 8) is such an important time.  The relationships and events that happen during Early Childhood literally lay the foundation for a person’s lifelong development and learning.  It’s a privilege to be a part of that.  On a day-to-day basis, I love children’s openness, curiosity, and honesty.  They’ll be the first to express what’s on their minds, whether through words or actions.  I definitely miss our classroom community and our hugs, too!  I really look forward to when school buildings can reopen safely for everyone. 

Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy?  Children are inherently curious and want to learn, and so I view myself as a facilitator.  It’s my job to offer opportunities and the environment, both physically and emotionally, where children feel safe, comfortable, and capable enough to investigate the world around them.  Children also deserve to feel a sense of belonging for all the parts of themselves, so it’s my responsibility to acknowledge them and help children develop joy about themselves and empathy for others.

How can we make virtual learning successful?  Relationships, understanding/flexibility, and a sense of “let’s try.”  I say relationships because all learning happens in the context of relationships—family and child, teachers and child, child and child, and family and teachers. 

I say understanding and flexibility because there is so much happening in our current times—COVID-19, racial injustice, and too many more to list.  Our lives right now are wrought with stressors.  We should remember that we’re humans first and treat each other with empathy, kindness, and dignity.  We need each other.  As educators, we should address what’s going on for individual families and children, and be flexible when we incorporate their needs into our expectations.  That might mean help with navigating technology, more check-ins with a family, encouragement/ coaching to try an activity, or adjustments to lesson plans depending on the family’s needs.  The same goes for us educators needing understanding and flexibility, too.  We all should give a little kindness to ourselves and each other. 

Finally, I say a sense of “let’s try” because it’s the first time we’re starting the school year and building relationships virtually in the midst of this important time of change.  Even with the best laid plans and intentions, we all—educators, families, and children—are bound to make mistakes at some point.  It’s from those mistakes, communicating with each other, and trying again that we learn what might work the next time.

What are some of your favorite children’s books? I’ve always loved children’s books, especially ones with diverse perspectives.  I view them as love letters to children in the sense that they can infuse joy, affirmation, curiosity, and creativity through words and illustrations.  As Rudine Sims Bishop wrote, books can be mirrors, windows, and/or sliding doors.  Some of my favorites right now are The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld, I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, Remember Balloons by Jessie Oliveros, A Letter to My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson, Let’s Talk about Race by Julius Lester, Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love, and How Do You Dance? by Thyra Heder.  And the list goes on….

What was your favorite childhood book?  The Amelia Bedelia series, Choose Your Own Adventure series, and Anne of Green Gables.  Books for me were ways of finding connection to other worlds.

If you could have any super power what would it be and why? It sounds corny and simple, but I’d have the power to hug safely especially because we’ve been physically distancing since March.  A hug can say so much without words—hello, I love you, I see you, I understand you, you’re not alone, let’s do this together, and so on….

Stevens ELC Staff Feature: Lillian Farnham (PK3)

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Now for our first PK3 Stevens teacher feature, Lillian Farnham! We are so excited for you to meet her soon!

How long have you been teaching? I am entering the 10th year of my teaching career. All of my formal teaching experience has been with DC Public Schools, I previously taught at Tyler Elementary School in Southeast, DC. 

What do you love most about the ECE age group? What I love most about teaching early learners is the children’s genuine curiosity about the world around them and watching their development over time. It is incredible to witness the pace at which our three and four year olds are able to acquire new skills and knowledge. 

Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy? “I did not come to teach you. I came to love you. Love will teach you.” -Unknown. This quote very simply sums up my teaching philosophy. For many years I focused on lesson plans, data, scores, progress reports, growth, rigor because that is what is important outside of the classroom. What politicians, policy makers and administrators do not realize is that teaching has almost nothing to do with any of that. Teaching is love. It is recognizing that each child, no matter how small has a voice and place in the world. Teaching is about making children feel unconditionally welcome in their environment and allowing them to be their true selves. When children feel loved and supported they laugh, they make friends, they take risks, they grow. And when you truly love the work that you do as a teacher, the amount of growth that can be made within a single child is limitless.

How can we make virtual learning successful? We can make virtual learning successful by engaging as partners with families and children. The key to tackling the challenge of virtual learning is going to be clear and concise communication as well as helping parents and guardians feel empowered to help build skills at home. 

What are some of your favorite children’s books? Some of my favorite children’s books are: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, I Am Enough, Giraffes Can’t Dance, Dragons Love Tacos, Abiyoyo, Friendshape, All Are Welcome. 

What was your favorite childhood book? My favorite childhood book was Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown 

If you could have any super power what would it be and why? If I could have any super power, I would want to be able to teleport to anywhere in the world. I love to travel to new places and I do not live close to any family, so I would use my powers to see the world and see my family all the time. 

Stevens ELC Staff Feature: Erika Blackburn

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We are so excited for Stevens Early Learning Center’s new school year! As part of this school’s modernization and reopening, we will be featuring different staff members here on our blog. Please meet one of Stevens’ teachers, Erika Blackburn!

How long have you been teaching?  This year, I will begin my third year teaching Prek4. My first two years were at Excel Academy, DCPS’s first and only all-girls school. Teaching represents a late career pivot for me. (Edit: Ms. Blackburn’s class will be a mixed-aged classroom for SY20-21.)

What do you love most about the ECE age group? I love teaching four year olds because I enjoy their natural curiosities and joyful energy. I got my PhD in developmental psychology from Cornell University where I studied development at the intersection of social and cognitive development. Teaching prek is an opportunity for me to apply what I’ve learned over the years from a research and evaluation perspective to everyday interactions in support of learning in a prek classroom.

Can you share a little about your teaching philosophy? My teaching philosophy is under development, but facilitating authentic learning experiences seems to be emerging as central to my thinking and practice.

What are some of your favorite children’s books?  It’s hard to choose my absolute favorite children’s books, but I can say that I revel in the laughs I get when I read Mo Willems’ Piggie and Gerald books; I am fascinated by what children learn about the natural world when I read Dianna Aston’s series about sleepy seeds quiet eggs, and patient butterflies; and I am moved by the thoughtful questions I get when little ones study the righteous and moving illustrations in Kadir Nelson’s books.

What was your favorite childhood book? My favorite children’s book was The best-loved doll. I really appreciated how this sort of worn down doll who couldn’t really “do” anything fancy could have been the most loved doll in a collection.

Any fun facts about yourself? Fun and little known fact – I was scheduled to attend adult mermaid camp this summer in Florida, but it was cancelled due to covid-19. 😦

Washington Metropolitan Student Support Update – May 2020

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In January, DC Public Schools (DCPS) announced that programming will discontinue at Washington Metropolitan High School. 

In order to ensure students smoothly transition to their next school or graduate this year, DCPS is providing dedicated supports to students and families during this time. In order to keep the Washington Metropolitan community informed on this work, DCPS will post regular updates to the School Planning Blog. 

Below is an overview of supports provided to Washington Metropolitan students, families, and staff in May.  In light of coronavirus (COVID-19) school closures, you’ll notice some adjustments to the delivery of support, but our commitment to the Washington Met community is stronger than ever during these difficult times. 

Student and Family Supports 

  • Virtual graduation for Washington Metropolitan will take place on June 19.

  • Outreach to families to support them through the enrollment process is underway, and a number of students are already completely enrolled in new schools for next year.

  • The Re-Engagement Specialists are continuing to support Washington Metropolitan leadership with distance learning. They are monitoring several areas such as the number of devices distributed and the number of students logging in each week for lessons.

  • All Special Education programs have been successfully transferred to Luke C. Moore. 

Staff Supports 

  • The Teacher Recruitment and Selection team, in collaboration with the Staffing team, is continuing to track offers teacher receive to ensure all teachers are supported to find a placement for next year. Most teachers have already found new positions.

  • Staff participated in a Professional Development session entitled, “Culturally Relevant and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy,” and the School Mental Health team concluded their trauma informed schools workshop series. 

Continuing Supports   

  • The District is continuing to respond to the COVID-19 public health crisis and make decisions that are in the best interest of our entire community. Washington Met will continue to receive services through remote means. Read more about DCPS’ response to COVID-19 and outreach to students and families at https://dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus.

  • DCPS is offering free meals for any young person under the age of 18 at nearly 40 school sites throughout the city. See the full list of DCPS and public charter school locations at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/food. 

Washington Metropolitan Student Support Update – April 2020

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In January, DC Public Schools (DCPS) announced that programming will discontinue at Washington Metropolitan High School.

In order to ensure students smoothly transition to their next school or graduate this year, DCPS is providing dedicated supports to students and families during this time. In order to keep the Washington Metropolitan community informed on this work, DCPS will post regular updates to the School Planning Blog.

Below is an overview of supports provided to Washington Metropolitan students, families, and staff in April. In light of coronavirus (COVID-19) school closures, you’ll notice some adjustments to the delivery of support, but our commitment to the Washington Met community is stronger than ever during these difficult times.

Student/Family Supports 

  • The Student Supports team has reached out to families around lottery results and next steps for enrollment.
  • Students have continued receiving laptops and work packets as necessary to facilitate distance learning.
  • Reengagement Specialists are continuing to use remote means to communicate with students while schools are closed.  They are also monitoring engagement in distance learning and providing support to students as necessary.
  • School Mental Health continues to manage their caseload via phone, text, and email.

Staff Supports 

  • The Talent Development and Teacher Recruitment and Selection team is continuing to work with staff members to connect them with school leaders via remote means to hold interviews.
  • The Teacher Recruitment and Selection team, in collaboration with the Staffing team, is tracking offers teacher receive to ensure all teachers are supported to find a placement for next year.
  • Washington Metropolitan leadership and the School Mental Health team have offered various relevant Professional Development sessions for staff members.

Continuing Supports  

  • The District is continuing to respond to the COVID-19 public health crisis and make decisions that are in the best interest of our entire community. Washington Met will continue to receive services through remote means. Read more about DCPS’ response to COVID-19 and outreach to students and families at https://dcps.dc.gov/coronavirus.
  • DCPS is offering free meals for any young person under the age of 18 at nearly 40 school sites throughout the city. See the full list of DCPS and public charter school locations at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/food.

Washington Metropolitan Student Support Update – March 2020

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In January, DC Public Schools (DCPS) announced that programming will discontinue at Washington Metropolitan High School.

In order to ensure students smoothly transition to their next school or graduate this year,  DCPS is providing dedicated supports to students and families during this time. In order to keep the Washington Metropolitan community informed on this work, DCPS will post regular updates to the School Planning Blog.

Below is an overview of supports provided to Washington Metropolitan students, families, and staff in March. In light of coronavirus (COVID-19) school closures, you’ll notice some adjustments to the delivery of support, but our commitment to the Washington Met community is stronger than ever during these difficult times.

Student/Family Supports 

  • We have been successful in connecting with 129 out of 142 wash Met students about their future choices and continue to make outreach attempts to the remaining families.
  • The My School DC lottery closed on March 2 and applications were submitted for 44 students. Students will be informed of their lottery matches on March 27 and will have until May 27 (one month after DCPS buildings are re-opened) to enroll and claim their seat. Supports will be available to ensure students and their families understand the enrollment process. Please note: Students interested in attending their neighborhood school or an Opportunity Academy do not need to secure placement through the lottery.
  • Washington Metropolitan students are receiving laptops and work packets to facilitate distance learning.
  • Reengagement Specialists are continuing their outreach with students via telephone and other remote means during the school closure period. They are connecting with students around their Distance Learning plans.
  • Calls to inform families about the relocation of the special education self-contained programs are underway.
  • School Mental Health staff are holding daily office hours and reaching out to their caseload by phone, text, or email.
  • The previously scheduled community resource fair events in Wards 7 and 8 for Washington Metropolitan students and their families have been cancelled due to social distancing protocols, but we are working on alternative family outreach strategies.

Staff Supports 

  • The Talent Development and Teacher Recruitment and Selection team is working with CSO and WTU members to help them connect with school leaders to conduct Microsoft Team, Zoom, and Skype interviews.
  • The Teacher Recruitment and Selection team is also collaborating with the Staffing team to monitor when vacancies go live and maintain accurate records of teachers receiving offers from other schools.

Continuing Supports  

  • The District is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 public health crisis and make decisions that are in the best interest of our entire community. Washington Met will continue to receive services through remote means.
  • DCPS is offering free meals for any young person under the age of 18 at nearly 40 school sites throughout the city. See the full list of DCPS and public charter school locations at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/food.