Welcome Back!!

I am beyond excited to say that I absolutely love my new kiddos! They are the best in the 6th grade and they  have made me smile daily since I've met them. 

I have a classroom full of excited students who are beyond ready for school to start. They are very eager to learn and are pumped to get this school year going. We have done so much within the first three days. Things that I actually planned for the first five...we are slightly ahead of schedule! (I'll take it!) We have done multiple introductions, tours of the school and our classroom, procedures, Codes of Conduct, all the basics. We've also done a reflection of our thoughts beginning the school year and beginning sixth grade. We took an amazing Pinterest idea and used it within the classroom. I found it on Pinterest, and pinned it (Follow me! @SStadler20) in order to try it. We put up 4 Sticky Notes around the room:
1 - School is important because...
2 - Our classroom should be __________ everyday. 
3 - Overall School Year Goals 
4 - What can Mrs. Stadler do to help you learn better?

The kiddos absolutely loved it! Everything from the expected...Fun, Exciting, Interesting, classrooms everyday; to Saying things twice, Not rushing, Allowing creativity, as ideas for me to do as a teacher! I loved it and didn't even think I would learn as much as I did with my students. They were super open and super supportive of what they needed within the classroom. I would definitely recommend it! 

I am beyond excited to see what this year has in store and can not wait to get to know my kiddos even more, and give them what they need in the classroom :)

21st Century Teacher vs. Pinnacle Leader

After reading Josh Stumpenhorst's post about what is needed for a 21st Century Teacher, I believe there are multiple similarities with the expectations of Pinnacle Leaders. I believe that first and foremost both 21st Century Teachers and Pinnacle Leaders need to be a connected master of technology. In order to reach our students and allow them to learn at their maximum potential, it is important that we as role models exhibit the continuation of learning. It is critical that we stay connected, in the 21st century through technology, to teachers, ideas, new technology, etc. through PLN's. These are super easy to become a member of; things like Twitter, Pinterest (my all time fav.), Blogs, etc. As leaders we are no longer limiting ourselves to simply the people we come in contact with daily, but rather opening our networks to other states, nations, and across the world.


I also believe that we have similar characteristics as Pinnacle Leaders to Teachers of the 21st Century by needing to be a reflective practitioner. If something does not work, technology wise especially, it is important as teachers and Pinnacle leaders to tweek it and improve it for the next go round. Also, two years from now, two months from now, even two weeks from now, it is important to reflect on how technology was used and determine if there is something "newer" and more influential for a particular lesson.


The final characteristic of the 21st Century Teacher, according to Stumpenhorst, is what I believe is the most important. It is not typically discussed in Pinnacle, because we are already super excited about our jobs, positions, and overall position in the education field. This trait is to be an advocate for teachers. I strongly agree with Stumpenhorst that teachers need to be proud of what they are doing, proud of who they are in children's lives, and proud of their profession. There are countless teachers who complain and gripe daily about their jobs and things they go through. However, it is important that instead of being Debbie-downers, teachers change their outlook, change the way they teach, change their classroom, and attempt to tackle new risks and challenges in order to flip their overall outlook of their position. (I'll get off my soapbox now...)


I feel that there are many links and similarities between the 21st Century Teacher and the expectations of Pinnacle Leaders. Through this connection and relationship, it is important that we, as Pinnacle Leaders, serve as role models, advocates, and LEADERS for our peers. :)
See what I mean ----> Stumpenhorst's Blog

"New Blog"

Hi! Let me officially introduce myself. I am Sarah Gardner; a 6th grade Language Arts & Social Studies teacher at Cramerton Middle School. Cramerton is right outside of Gastonia, North Carolina. Coming this August I will be beginning my 4th year; all at Cramerton and in 6th grade. However, I will be Mrs. Stadler by the time school starts ;)

I went to Belmont Abbey College and graduated with an Elementary Education (K-6) Degree in 2009. Since then I have gotten my Academically & Intelligently Gifted Certificate through University of North Carolina @ Charlotte, as well as passed Middle Grades Language Arts, Science, Math, and Social Studies Praxis II. I am starting my Middle Grades Master's Program in August 2012 and am super excited. I feel like I'm not doing anything right now with not being currently enrolled in courses. I'm a nerd, I know...but I admit it!

I am in Pinnacle through Gaston County Schools, which is a fabulous technology program for teachers in our county. That is where I first learned about Blogger, and am vowing to Blog and keep track of my survival in the 6th Grade World; which many refer to as the "Special Age." I love this age of students and enjoy every minute of it. This is my attempt to keep my head above water, help my peers, and share my ideas :)

Twitter InfoGraphic

<br>
<br>
 My Professional Twitter Infographic: This infographic says that I definitely need to get my professional tweets on! I am setting a goal to become more of a Twitter Teacher and have more of a presence in the Educational Twitter world. I am really wanting to become more of a global teacher presence by sharing, gathering, and collaborating with educators around the world. :)

The 21st Century Graduate!

easel.ly

Pinnacle Post 2 !!!

Pinnacle Presentation for December!!

Pinnacle Presentation Dec. 2011 on Prezi

Pinnacle Review Glogster!

Voice Thread 6 Senses

Composed by our Daniel Pink group: Becky, Leslie, Lauren, Becky, & Me :)
Relating Daniel Pink's 6 Senses to education, teachers, and students within the 21st Century Classroom!

Pinnacle XVI: Day 2

Today was the second day of Pinnacle. I have truly enjoyed every minute so far! Today we participated in a variety of stations surrounding chocolate. Each station incorporated a different form of technology. I really like playing around with the new programs that I haven't used before. I think the way I learn best is to play around, press buttons, and practice on my own with a website. Only through that playing around am I able to realize what I may be needing help with at the site. I believe that the way Pinnacle is being presented is going very well. I feel like we are learning a lot and being given time to "mess" around on the new websites we are learning. I love working in new groups for a majority of the activities we do. This helps us get to know each other and more comfortable talking and communicating. 

One thing I found very interesting in my literature circle today is a topic we brought up regarding empathy. We discussed how there is a difference between empathy and sympathy. Empathy being purely understanding where some one is coming from and how they are feeling. Yet sympathy is feeling the same as that person and feeling the way in which they may be feeling. We talked about how important it is to keep a separation between the two. I think that it is important to keep a distance between the two...but as humans that line often gets overlooked. I feel that it is hard to empathize with a person without feeling the way they do. I think there is a very small, and faded, line between those two simply through our human nature? But then again that could be me just being over empathetic? ;)