Audryn Damron, NBCT

USEAP also enjoyed a guest speaker from the state of Washington. Washington used to be at the bottom for inclusion with sped Ss, but has made intentional changes and is seeing progress! @UTBoardofEd

Meeting with my USEAP group today and we discussed ELA and Math state testing proficiency scores for 9th/10th graders with IEPs. Considering I teach 9th/10th grade resource math, this was interesting! 3-4% of sped Ss are proficient. Data is available online. @UTBoardofEd

@mrstowner9 @9thEvermore @DaniKSloan @sassmasterkmb @Coach_Rarick Running for State School Board was one of the most vulnerable things I’ve ever done, but changed me as a human and educator. Today I took my students on a field trip to the Capitol. I hugged legislators who have become friends and introduced my students to wonderful people.

A2: I believe U truly lead beyond the classroom when you find ways to support ur passions outside of class. For example, some TTs run for State School Board 🏛️@audryn_d & @9thEvermore. Others get additional education - PhDs 🎓 @DaniKSloan @sassmasterkmb @Coach_Rarick #UtEdChat

@HSG_UT @DicksonSyd @tabitha_pacheco @9thEvermore They ARE the best!!

A3: We want to shoutout our tireless State Superintendent @DicksonSyd, and our awesome co-directors @tabitha_pacheco & @9thevermore for always being enthusiastic and willing to help teachers all over the state. #utedchat

I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I had plenty of leadership opportunities in my school, but I eventually grew out of them and wanted more. A huge barrier is lack of knowledge and confidence in what our teacher leadership options are. #utedchat

@KBeddes It’s amazing what happens when teachers are helped into leadership. Programs like @HSG_UT help so much with educating and building confidence in teachers. This program changed my career.

A6: I would love to see every school have different types of recognized leadership pathways available for teachers. Again, I needed to see it before I could see myself as one. Once we have established these pathways, encourage and celebrate our teacher leaders. #utedchat

@mr_seabiscuit I have always admired your ability to connect with legislators- and bringing them to your classroom and the education world!

A5: Start small by working within your dept/dept chair. Be supportive of leaders and over time they can be supportive of you. Have the legislators come to your classroom its a pending resolution anyway for them to come teach civics. I've had them come for years. #utedchat

You can talk to your administration and ask for opportunities in your school. You can attend school board meetings, Educator Day on the Hill, etc to get involved in policy. You can join your local teacher association. You can mentor other teachers. So many options! #utedchat

Teacher leadership is working in the classroom AND leading others (throat mentoring, coaching, policy, example, etc.) There’s a whole Teacher Leadership document written by @HSG_UT with six great examples of leadership opportunities for teachers. #utedchat

Ask yourself these questions regarding how you conduct test corrections: How does it demonstrate understanding? How is learning recorded? What challenges do you anticipate? What ways are these benefiting the diversity of students.

Breakout Session 3️⃣: Test Corrections. We started with some questions: How are we being culturally relevant in our tests? How are our tests failing us (content, language, stereotypes, representation, etc)?

There are ways to do test corrections that are more inclusive: traditional, project, interview.

Accessibility Solution: Spoken Math (this is something I want to look into more).

Breakout Session 2️⃣ Accessible Math (for Ss w/vision impairment). “Vision impairment is a spectrum” disorder.

Accessibility Solutions. Understand WHAT they see, WHERE they can see it, and HOW they access it.

The barriers for learning math as a Vision Impaired/Blind S are extensive.

If a student with a vision impairment often wears a hat, they could be protecting from light glare. Some students with vision challenges struggle reading black on white. Ask the S what their contrast needs are.

What separates Ss with vision impairments from the rest of the disability arenas is that they miss out on incidental learning. Explicit instruction really helps with incidental learning.

*Most deaf/blind students are not fully both - one of the senses is stronger.

@TeacherWinters always knows how to bring the #ucet hype!! @ucet is in March this year. Check out his booth and see if you can get a selfie and learn more about this year’s upcoming conference.