For ‘20-21, we are ALL 1st year teachers, counselors, principals, assistant principals, & superintendents. None of us have ever experienced what we are going to endure & accomplish this year. We are all in this TOGETHER. We’ll be our best. #edchat #LeadUpChat #LNCPride #nced

Update Message from BSD7 Superintendent Connors docs.google.com/document/d/1w8…

Check this out Adrian Advincula Natalie Colombo

I can’t predict the future of COVID. But I can predict a few other things. I predict students will need more connections with teachers than ever before. I predict faculties that are collaborative will continue to thrive. I predict teachers will still find ways to inspire.

We can’t remove external problems at will, but in terms of our inner world we can develop tolerance, forgiveness and contentment. If we have developed peace of mind, we can remain calm no matter what happens in the outside world.

Classroom management means I manage the only person I control. Do I stay calm when he gets upset? Am I respectful to disrespectful people? Do I take the behavior personally? Am I allowing the behavior to control my emotions? Do I see it as an annoyance or a challenge?#thatonekid

We can’t control the home environment of our students, but we can surely control their classroom environment. When they’re under our care, they can feel safe, feel supported, and feel loved.

We must all try to empathize before we criticize. Ask someone what's wrong before telling them they are wrong.

We don’t need our teachers to be the most talented, the most innovative, or the most tech savvy. We need them to care about kids… care about their craft… work well with their colleagues… and come to work every day, excited about making a difference.

Be kind. Say thank you. Hold the door open. Compliment as many people as you can. Point out the good and be the good. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Love, serve and care. The world needs more of this today (and every day)!

Congratulations Catherine Matthews - 2023 Montana Teacher of the Year! Catherine is a Preschool Special Education Teacher at Hyalite Elementary. #BSD7

There’s very little that inspires me more than a spirit of collaboration. We solve problems together. We learn from each other. We lean on each other. We pick each other up. There are challenges, but we will persevere… because we’re in it together.

One of my favorite things about school culture… is that everyone gets to contribute to it. It is not just a reflection of the administration or the leadership team; it is a reflection of everyone.

I’m convinced there is nothing better than a teacher that genuinely enjoys kids.

Kids need people who love them. Kids need structure and high expectations. Kids need restorative conversations, not suspensions. Kids need more recess. Kids need culturally relevant curriculum.

5th Graders at Meadowlark Elementary learning about argumentative writing with Mr. Milo. #BSD7

In education relationships are the foundation of everything we do.

I love the fact that every day we go to work, we can make a difference. Maybe not a big difference, but lots of little differences. And those add up. We can support a colleague, connect with a kid, make someone smile… or their burden a little lighter. That can be tomorrow!

This! 🙌

Despite different cultures and different political and economic systems, we’re all basically the same. The more people I meet, the stronger my conviction becomes that the oneness of humanity, founded on understanding and respect, is a realistic and viable basis for our conduct.