What a sweet surprise from @NellHaack1 and Katie Kurtz. Thank you for being so thoughtful! I’m so happy to work at Collins School again this year! 🧡 #bettertogether #grateful

How can YOU spread kindness- today and every day? ❣️

In the short time I have known @PotestaKatie54, I have quickly realized that she is unbelievably selfless, incredibly kind, super generous and extra thoughtful. She always thinks of others and puts a smile on my face. So very grateful for you, Katie! 🧡

Getting outside & celebrating ⁦School District 54⁩ Happiness Reps. Thank you for supporting our community to sustain long term optimism. #friluftsliv #orangeworld

What a fun afternoon celebrating District 54 Happiness Reps! The fresh air & social investment was just what we needed! 🧡 #friluftsliv #happinessreps #weare54

Grateful for an amazing first sub training today! Such wonderful presenters and participants! Looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Thank you to the awesome group of intermediate teachers who joined me this afternoon for Creating Curious Classrooms: Literacy Foundations! Such thoughtful, reflective conversations and collaboration in action! #WeAre54 #BetterTogether

As a culmination to the Next Level Engagement professional development series, D54 will host a #54Chat on Twitter at 3:15 p.m. March 14. Join us to share your responses and learn from your colleagues across District 54. #54Chat #54Engagement

Excited to chat with everyone soon! For smooth collaboration, be sure to use #54Chat and #54Engagement

Q0: Hi everyone! My name is Tara Cusack and I am an Instructional Mentor in District 54. A word I would use to describe myself is positive! #54Chat

Q1: Every single interaction matters. The language we use with our students, the smiles we share, speaking to them on their level, using their names- each of these actions help to set the foundation for trust, love and respect in the classroom. #54Engagement

Q2: When a trusting relationship has been established, students feel empowered to make decisions because there is mutual respect. Providing students with choices about their learning increases their engagement because they have a say! #54Engagement

Q3: What gets students excited? The idea of novelty, games, connection, competition, student choice, movement, creativity and having fun WITH them. These ideas promote student engagement and keep students running back to your classroom each day! #54Engagement

Q4: Pop culture fanatic over here! When students know you are enthusiastic about a topic or event, you can increase engagement with storytelling, photos, a thematic approach or problem/project based learning. Keeping things relevant deepens connections!

It was wonderful to learn with everyone this afternoon! Thank you for sharing!

So fun running into you after work today Danette Meyer! Great minds think alike!

It’s going to be a great day! ☀️🌸 #WeAre54 #lovingthisweather

Thank you Jon Gordon for your powerful message and for an inspirational morning at our School District 54 leadership retreat! What an honor to learn from you! #BetterTogether #wintoday

We're happy to introduce Blackwell Bobcats new assistant principal, Tara Cusack!