Sister MacNamara encourages teacher capacity through a week-long in-house residency

In January, Sister MacNamara kickstarted their year by facilitating a week-long in-house residency for five teachers on writing. Our group members include teachers, Ms. Sarah Albiani (grade 2/3), Ms. Leah Pagé (grade 4), Ms. Odesa Lewis-Coutain (grade 3/4), Ms. Gulshan Sharma (grade 5/6), and Ms. Candace Liebrecht (grade 5/6). Ms. Joanna Langtry utilized Regie Routman’s “Optimal Learning Model” and backwards design to plan this professional development which highlighted ways to engage, challenge and motivate student writing. Ms. Langtry is a strong leader on the school’s Support Team. She has been the leader of other successful residencies in the past.

Grade 4 students were immersed in cross curricular learning around belonging and citizenship. The class started with a big idea or question “What does it mean to be a good citizen and show belonging?” and then investigated historical periods where power and authority were used to exclude various groups of people.

Students extended their learning by connecting their understanding of inclusion and exclusion to ways Residential Schools denied Indigenous people of their culture, identity, and rights. Teachers observed strategies from Regie Routman’s “Writing Essentials” which outline how to expand student writing capabilities through shared writing experiences, scaffolded conversations, and public conferencing. Students engaged in rich dialogue around the topic and process of writing which resulted in students gaining confidence as writers.

Teachers expanded their understanding of how to plan appropriately for students’ zones of proximal development, ensuring learning goals and success criteria are clearly stated, reviewed and actualized by students. “I'm targeting student needs more successfully after having an opportunity to explore the Optimal Learning Model in action. This process has allowed me to better appreciate the importance of communication of clear goals. This has helped shift my pedagogical approach to planning, teaching and student learning,” says Leah Pagé, Grade 4 teacher. The learning week wrapped up with a special virtual call with Regie Routman. Teachers were able to explain the project and engage in a Q&A with Regie. One of the group’s biggest takeaways from the conversation was around the importance of “focus[ing] on the writer first and the writing second” (Routman, 2020).

As student attendance continues to fluctuate with various illnesses circulating this season, ensuring students feel belonging in the classroom takes precedence over all else. Such intensive teacher learning opportunities would not be possible without the support of the Winnipeg School Division’s Educational Leave for teachers. Efficacy in our students AND our teachers form the foundations of our instruction, climate and culture at Sister MacNamara school. This residency was a springboard for Sister MacNamara’s whole school inquiry month in February, which this year’s big idea is “Why does it matter when we say ‘We Are All Treaty People’?” Throughout the inquiry month, these five teachers will collaborate with others in our building to share new strategies and plan effectively for student success.

Reference:

Routman, R. (2020). 10 actions that put student writers first. Retrieved from https://www.middleweb.com/43499/10-actions-that-put-student-writers-first