LCPS Engaging in Teaching and Learning

On today's episode our guests Deborah Mirabal, Rebekah Perez, Brittany Atteberry, Jordan Hill, and Sydne Bruno reflect with host Jeannette Covarrubia on this school year and all the great things that came out of the challenges that we all faced.  Listen in to hear about the cool activities they have done with their kiddos and the tools, strategies, and resources that they have used remotely and continue to use.   Below are two of the resources discussed in this episode:   Starfall Calendars   Nearpod

On today's episode our guests Joshua Wisner, Laura Nichols, Alex Montoya, Kaelin Redmond, and Tia Baulch reflect on this school year and all the great things that came out of the challenges that we all faced.  Listen in to hear about the cool activities they have done with their kiddos and the tools, strategies, and resources that they have used remotely and continue to use.

On today's episode our guests Ty Fredrick, Brandy Snyder, Juan Armijo, David Morales, Tim Staley and Greg Mallory reflect on this school year and all of the great things that came out of the challenges that we all faced.  Listen in to hear about the cool activities they have done with their kiddos and the tools, strategies, and resources that they have used remotely and continue to use. Below are some links to a few of the resources mentioned:    Be Washington https://www.bewashington.org/  Quizizz https://quizizz.com/  Kahoot https://kahoot.com/

On today's episode our guest Amy Moreman, Assistant Principal of Lynn Community Middle School, shares all the great things that this community school offers, and how they are supporting their kiddos.  Listen to today's episode to hear more about what specifically this school is doing with their after-school programs, community partnerships, and parent support programs. 

Have you heard the acronym MLSS?  Are you wondering what this stands for or what it is?  You have probably heard this mentioned but would like to know more. If you would like to learn more about it, then this is the episode for you!  Esther Peterson, Taryn Fogle, and Monica Fullerton join me on today's episode to discuss the framework of MLSS (Multi Layered Support Systems), and they do a great job of giving clear examples and explanations of what MLSS can look like in a school.  Listeners will appreciate the fact that it's not just one more thing to add to their plate: MLSS is more of a collaborative approach to supporting all of our students, which is especially helpful as we fully return to school. At the end of the show our guests offer support to staff members by providing the following email address:  Please email them at mlsssupport@lcps.net for any questions or support needs. 

Listen to today's episode for a great discussion that co-host Jeanette Covarrubia has with Soña Saiz (Coordinator of Mental Health & Academic Counseling) and Amanda McDowell (Social Worker at Alameda Elementary School) on providing social and emotional support to our students and families.  Together they discuss specific ways that they have provided support during the quarantine and ways they are continuing supporting students and families as many are starting back fully with face-to-face learning.   Please find several additional resources below provided by our guests on today's show:    LCPS Resources:  Check in with Your Kids Poster (English)  Check in with Your Kids Poster (Spanish)  Reach CYFD Poster  Employee Assistance Program Flyer  Outside Resources: Navigating Back-to-School Stress  https://myemail.constantcontact.com/MVH-is-Here-to-Help-with-Back-To-School-Stress.html?soid=1119257309429&aid=n-h337LTnJY KidTalk https://www.lapinon.org/kidtalk/

Are you planning lessons, activities, and labs for our full re-entry?  Wondering what Canvas management, social distancing, and overall safe practices are going to look like? Today's episode features Las Cruces High School teachers Raul Perea (Ag Teacher), Natalie Reno (Chemistry Teacher) and Anita Cummings (Yearbook and Education Pathway Teacher). Together we discuss how they plan to run their lessons, labs, and shop activities safely with our full re-entry kiddos while also managing their fully online students.

Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy: How much do you know about this middle school and the awesome things it offers? The school's interim administrator Anita Martos and two of her students, Allie Goldsteen and Aloe Cozart, share the school's philosophy, structure, and unique make-up that you may not know about this middle school.  Listen to this episode to learn why this school may be a great fit for some of our LCPS kiddos.

Part 1: Rio Grande Preparatory Institute: How much do you know about this school and the awesome things it offers? The school's proud principal Rebecca Rodriguez shares the school's background, vision, course offerings, and many other things you may not know about this alternative high school.  Listen to this episode to learn why this school is a great fit for some of our LCPS kiddos.  Part 2:  We all know that we are living in a time where we all need to better care for ourselves mentally, emotionally, and physically. Tune in to this episode to learn how Rodriguez supports her students, staff, parents, and other stakeholders through her wellness initiative.  She offers several specific practices that can be used by anyone at any level. 

Are you an elementary teacher looking to refine your i-Ready Math implementation? Maybe you are new to teaching i-Ready Math?  If so, this is episode is for you! Teachers Rylee Garza (Desert Hills Elementary), Gabriel Taney (Alameda Elementary), Jeannette Covarrubia (Alameda Elementary), and Susan Barker (Alameda Elementary) talk with Lisa Hufstedler (LCPS Associate Director of Teaching and Learning for K12 Math) about their success with the i-Ready Math curriculum. The topics they discuss include Google and Nearpod implementation, virtual math games, and report usage. 

Are you a secondary teacher looking to refine your Carnegie Math implementation? Maybe you are new to teaching Carnegie Math?  If so, this episode is for you! Teachers Monica Mcnichols (White Sands Middle School), Stephanie Martin (Sierra Middle School), and Cara Jurus (Mayfield High School) talk with Lisa Hufstedler (LCPS Associate Director of Teaching and Learning for K12 Math) about their success with the Carnegie Math curriculum. The topics they discuss include Google and Nearpod implementation, Edulastic and Mathia usage, and how they plan to transition into a face-to-face environment after starting their implementation remotely.

Remember your first year of teaching? Imagine if your first year started completely online! On today's episode we talk with three rock star first-year teachers on how they survived – and were extremely successful – during a fully remote first year of teaching.  Please listen in to our guests Amber Ortiz from Las Cruces High School, Alana Perry from Picacho Middle School, and Amy Gonzalez from Alameda Elementary as they discuss their first year of teaching. The last segment of today's show is great for any educator needing a moment to reflect on this year and prepare for the day when we can once again be face-to-face with our kiddos and colleagues.

Did you know that we have programs where our gaming kiddos play video games on teams competitively? On today's episode Jorge Robles (LCHS Esports Coach), Michael Soffera (OHS Esports Coach), Matt Dawkins (LCPS Technology Director), and Blake Adkins (NMAA Board Member) have an enjoyable conversation on the Esports programs offered at several of our LCPS high schools.  They discuss many of the misconceptions people have about their programs, the games the students play, and the many benefits that their programs offer for our gaming kiddos.  Whether you are a gamer yourself, a teacher helping a student get involved, a parent searching for “that thing” for your high schooler, or an administrator looking to offer an awesome program for your school; this episode is for you!    

What are you planning to do in your remote classrooms this semester? What did you do last semester that was successful? What new tools/techniques are you wanting to try?  These are the questions that four secondary teachers discuss on this episode. David Nunez, Laura Talley, Natalie Geiger, and Jesus Melendez have a great conversation on several different specific tools and techniques that they either have used or plan to use this semester.  If you are looking for new things to incorporate into your secondary class, then this is the perfect episode for you.  Below are many of the tools/programs/techniques mentioned in today's episode:    Power Point Games to Embed in Canvas Whiteboard.fi Digital Escape Rooms Wooclap Nearpod

What are you planning to do in your remote classrooms this semester? What did you do last semester that was successful? What new tools/techniques are you wanting to try?  These are the questions that four elementary teachers discuss on this episode. Jeannette Covarrubia, Tamisha Molenda, Samantha Garza, and Hugo Hernandez have a great conversation on several different specific tools and techniques that they either have used or plan to use this semester.  If you are looking for new things to incorporate into your elementary class, then this is the perfect episode for you.  Below are many of the tools/programs/techniques mentioned in today's episode: Canvas Studio    Culturally Linguistically Responsive Teaching  Keyboarding Without Tears Nearpod  PAX Good Behavior Game

Are you a secondary school educator interested in refining your team-teaching approach during remote learning?  In today's episode of Engaging in Teaching and Learning we talk with two teachers who just started working together this year. Our guests Susan Wright and Maria Perez Luna work together at Centennial High School. On today's show they share the importance of making and modeling personal connections in order to reach their students and boost engagement. They also discuss the importance sending the message to their inclusion classes that the word “inclusion” means that ALL students are included.

Are you a secondary school educator interested in refining your team-teaching approach during remote learning?  In today's episode of Engaging in Teaching and Learning we talk with a team who has been working together for years. Our guests Christine Dennis and Alberta Medina work together at Zia Middle School.  On today's show they share the importance of being willing to try new things and split the instruction 50/50. They also discuss the importance of playing off each other's strengths in order to create the best digital classroom. 

Are you an elementary school educator or ancillary staff member interested in teaming with educational assistants to support your learners?  Today's episode of Engaging in Teaching and Learning addresses ways to think out of the box and work together to meet the needs of our elementary-level students.  Our guests Marsha Reyes (Educational Assistant) and Roni Alba (Speech Language Pathologist) work together at Columbia Elementary.  On today's show they share the importance of staying positive and being willing to try new things. They also offer some specific tips and resources that they are using to be successful.

Are you a high school teacher interested in boosting your student engagement during remote learning?  Today's episode of Engaging in Teaching and Learning addresses the challenges and possible solutions to increasing student engagement at the high school level.  Our guest Lisette Tarin Martinez, LCHS Dance Director and sponsor of student government at Las Cruces High School, shares her best practices and what she has learned throughout the semester that has brought her success. Included in many of the topics covered are ideas on how to build school spirit and engage an entire school and how to engage students in the physical aspect of her class. 

Are you a middle school teacher interested in boosting your student engagement during remote learning?  Today's episode of Engaging in Teaching and Learning addresses the challenges and possible solutions to increasing student engagement at the middle school level.  Our guest Vanessa Dabovich, 8th grade Film and Broadcast teacher at Sierra Middle School, shares her best practices and what she has learned throughout the semester that has brought her success. Included in many of the topics covered are the importance of connecting with students on a personal level, navigating the challenges with her specific content area, and maintaining a “can-do” positive outlook despite the hurdles.

Are you an elementary teacher interested in boosting your student engagement during remote learning?  Today's episode of Engaging in Teaching and Learning addresses the challenges and possible solutions to increasing student engagement at the elementary level.  Our guest Christy Lauterbach, 3rd grade teacher at Hillrise Elementary, shares her best practices and what she has learned throughout the semester that has brought her success. Included in many of the topics covered are the importance parent involvement, Canvas class setup ideas, and Zoom scheduling management. 

The 19-20 school year required more grace, flexibility and patience than ever before. Darby Sanchez and Kina Marlatt, LCPS teachers, joins us for our first Zoom Podcast meeting to chat about the school year. Their poignant reflections about the way teachers reach their students fill our 30 minute episode. Please take a moment to listen to our LCPS family reflect on the teachers we became this year. Check out Darby's Youtube Channel here  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0YLh7FMszSUuDCYCFGOuPQ   And be on the lookout, a new season of our podcast starts in the fall. We'll be talking to teachers, sharing ideas, and supporting each other through the next school year, whatever it brings!

Kissa Dixon, Samantha Redford and Katrina Castillo join us to discuss the LCPS GRADS Program and the work they do to work with our district's teen parents. Las Cruces High School and Oñate High School share their models for GRADS and highlight some of their program's successes.

Criss Grubbs is the LCPS District Testing Coordinator. In this role, she oversees state and federal testing for the district. 2019-2020 has brought many changes to NM Assessments. Criss breaks down, for teachers, what this means, what it will look like, and how to be prepared. LINKS - NM PED Assessment Bureau Khan Academy Resource College Board and SAT

During the 19-20 school year, Oñate High School established a partnership with the Las Cruces Homebuilder's Association. In this episode, Principal Jim Schapekahm discusses the goals of the program and the need for a variety of career and technical courses. LINKS - KFOX14 Story - LCPS Introduces Build My Future Las Cruces Homebuilders Association Build My Future

Rachel Knight is the 2018 LCPS Teacher of the Year and a 2018 New Mexico Teacher of the Year Finalist. She is an ACE Career Specialist for LCPS. Rachel's professional accomplishments include being names the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Region II National Agriscience Teacher of the Year and a NAAE National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador and professional development facilitator.   In this episode, she shares more about the ACE program and the Agricultural Career connection in Las Cruces and the Mesilla Valley. LINKS - Career Readiness and ACE, LCPS