Helen Williams

JEFFERSON R-VII SCHOOL BOARD NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION jr7.k12.mo.us/article/160417…

I received a package in the mail a few days before my first day of school as a brand new teacher. It was from my mother. Inside the box was a very large file that included my report cards, progress reports, papers I had written that were marked up with a lot red ink, and several tests with a large letter “F” on them. The feedback on these items included: -“Not sure how Bryan qualified for the gifted program since he can’t read” -“Bryan won’t be college material” -“Bryan doesn’t seem to care about anything but sports” -“Bryan just needs to focus better” -“I’m not sure why Bryan asks to go to the nurse and counselor all the time” -“Bryan needs to learn how to sit still and be quiet” -“I’m not sure what else I can do, I’ve already taken his recess away most days” This made me sad. I had not seen these before. I think my mother had tried to shelter me from all of these negatives. At the bottom of the box was a notecard from my mom that said, “Try to see each of your student’s strengths. I know you will do better for your students. I am so proud of you! Love Mom”. After my career as a teacher and principal, I became a therapist. The majority of my adult clients can remember both the most positive thing a teacher said to them and also the most negative. Remember, our words matter. We have the power to build someone up or tear them down. What comment(s) do you remember hearing from a teacher? From the book: “Whatever It Takes!: For All Students to Succeed in School and Life” (a.co/d/3sOcuFW) Join the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group at: facebook.com/groups/maslowb…

Teachers - Join my 2nd free webinar on reading strategies. Focus: vocabulary and comprehension. Thursday, August 3, 2023 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm EDT. Registration: see below. YES - this will be recorded. Thanks to @HeinemannPub for running these free events for me.

When teachers have no choice in the PD they attend, then the "professional" part of the PD is missing. So, dear principals, superintendents, and supervisors, give teachers some choice. Develop academic trust. Teachers know what they want to/need to learn more about.

Signing When Kids Can't Read at #MRA23 at 11:30 Saturday! First place the book appears!!!

🚨🚨BlueJay Nation please come out on Thursday at 11:00am to send off our Track Athletes to State!!🚨🚨

@R7Supt Congratulations!

Congrats to Mr. Alex Rouggly who has been selected to be the new high school principal for the Jefferson R-VII School District for the 2022-23 school year. High energy, high integrity individual who is all about helping young adults attain their dreams.

@R7Supt Awesome!

Thank you to these outstanding JHS students who helped out with transportation department as we prepare for the upcoming MSHP annual inspection process. These you men did a great job ensuring our bus fleet was clean and shiny. #BlueJayNation #family

Please help support the Jefferson R7 Softball Team by donating today!! Thank you!! wf4u.org/i5N7Wn

Love the inspiration this man provides! I’d love a copy of one of these books! 👇🏻

Book Giveaway! #DearTeacher Just retweet for a chance to win the book that has already inspired and affirmed thousands of teachers around the globe! Winner announced Sunday at 8pm. amazon.com/gp/product/036…

Really excited to be doing this! Hope you will join!

@R7Supt Congratulations!

So proud to honor Bradley Glass and his family today for his appointment to the US Naval Academy. Proud to support our high school administration and teaching staff for their role in Bradley’s success. Make us proud Bradley and dream big. Anchors Away!!!

So proud of these girls and how hard they are working on Reading! Rocking LexiaCore as well!! So very proud!! #telegraphisawesome

Hello teachers. I'm back with another 📚 giveaway — two teachers will win gclass sets of any I Survived book plus a class Zoom — RT to enter and I'll announce winners this Sat, 2/20/21 Thank you again and again for all you are doing for our kids. ♥️♥️📚📚

Giveaway! Dear Teacher Inspirational book!! Although it won't release until first of the year, win the first copy! Just retweet and you will be entered to win! Winner announced Sunday evening! You can also pre-order now for only 19.96! routledge.com/Dear-Teacher-1…

Testing out Schoology with our first assignments a Reading Survey and discussion post on reading strategies. Great job 4th graders! #telegraphisawesome

Two days till our 1st for A students! Classrooms are ready—just missing our students!