Review: Maitland Simmons Summer Institute 2015

About a month ago, I was a scholar at the Maitland Simmons Summer Institute at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve. From July 27 until July 31, I spent time with 20 other educators learning about the ocean, climate, and various ocean organisms. While my curriculum does not require a unit on marine science, it was still an amazing experience. We were able to connect the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to the various activities done during the week.

While there, we had the opportunity to take a boat ride. This was not just an enjoyable ride down the river, but one where we got to actively participate in trawling for various organisms. We did 6 trawls at three different sites. We also did a plankton trawl. We were then able to count, measure, and identify the various organisms. We also went seining. Seining is where you take a huge net and go out 80 feet from the shoreline, and gather organisms to count and measure. We did three different seins at various locations. It was a lot of fun.

The best part of any professional development, and especially this one, is the connections I make with the other participants. I am so blessed to have been a part of such a wonderful group. I am anxiously awaiting our reunion in October at the NJ Science Teacher Convention.


Click the link below for a video summarizing the events.
https://animoto.com/play/8i0G108kQtmMht7po1P6Vg

Year 1 Review

I haven't posted on my blog in over a year. I lost track of my Twitter chats, did not see my friends as much, and obsessively checked my email. What happened?!?!?!? I finished my first year of teaching!

It was an AMAZING year! While every year has its ups and downs, the first year of any teacher is always rough. I had to learn, not only who my students were and what they would need to succeed, but I also needed to learn a whole new curriculum, a new school, faculty, and procedures. It was rough.

I am so thankful for the teacher friends I have made at my school. They were so great and helpful during my first year. I am also so thankful that I started my journey at the school with a few other "new" teachers. We have formed a little family, and know that we can rely on each other for anything.

Even though this year was tough, I am super excited to be going back for my second year. =) Hopefully I will be able to blog more often.

-Meg