Teaching Teachers

During the last week of August, one my key roles come in to play - teaching teachers.  Together with Ms. Mellgren, I plan, teach and bring together staff development for all of our staff and paraprofessionals.  This time is important because teachers never stop learning and growing so we can offer the best education to Aspen students as possible.

What did we learn about this year?  All kinds of things!  My favorite topic was teaching and sharing about the literacy we bring to students.  We talked about books we choose, how we work to bring every student what they need, watched dvds of master teachers and practiced how to assess students authentically.  Every teacher learned something new or reinforced a skill to bring to their classroom.

Most importantly, the week brings together our teaching community, helping us all remember why we love working together at Aspen Academy.

Here's to a great year!

Welcome!

Welcome to Mrs. Rowan's blog!

I am the curriculum coordinator at Aspen Academy in the Prior Lake/Savage area of Minnesota.  I have been teaching in various positions for 16 years and have loved every minute of working with kids and sharing a love of learning and books with each and every one of them.  I received my education degree at the College of Saint Scholastic in Duluth, Minnesota in 1996.  I am licensed as both an elementary teacher as well as a media specialist.  I am currently working towards a master's degree in Curriculum and Assessment.

All of that leads to - what is a curriculum coordinator?  At Aspen, I wear many different hats under that title.  I purchase School Board approved curriculum and disseminate it to teachers as well as provide instrution to teachers in how to work with the curriculum.  I also research curriculum and help teachers match curriculum to state standards.  I manage all the data that drives the curriculum and instruction at Aspen - from internal to external assessments.  I also do some technology trouble shooting and any other jobs needed.

More importantly, I teach teachers.  I work with teaches to provide high quality instruction across the school through coaching and curriculum development.  I am a key part of a team that makes Aspen Academy a great school for any learner!

I look forward to a fun year of being in and out of all the classrooms and reporting all that we are learning back to you.