Participants are responsible for obtaining their own copy of this month's text, prior to the beginning of the book study. Click Be Real to view the book.
Technological advances are rapidly changing the way we work and learn. Artificial intelligence is even replacing employees in some industries. In education, the latest technology supports learning by providing extraordinary opportunities, but artificial intelligence will never replace the life that REAL educators bring to our schools. REAL educators are relatable, they expose vulnerability by sharing their experiences, they are approachable, and they learn through life. In Be REAL, BookSnaps creator, Tara Martin, encourages you to share your unique talents and passions as an educator. Through her personal and engaging stories, you’ll learn the power of being true to yourself and find the courage to “cannonball” into the adventures life offers. Make REAL connections with your students and staff and dare to make a difference.
Course Basics: The Learning Management System, Schoology, is used to house discussion board conversations and group materials. Book Club is facilitated by Nicole Nowlin, Sixth-grade teacher, Lee's Summit School District and MSTA member.
Each Friday morning, discussion board questions are posted in the Schoology group. These discussion board questions provide an opportunity for participants to connect, share, and reflect on that week's reading. Participants are expected to allot time each week to visit the discussion board often to encourage and learn from each other. Additionally, participants must comment on the posts of two other participants.
Virtual live meetings occur two Thursday nights within the month at 7:00 pm (CST). These virtual meetings use either Google Meet or Zoom to discuss the learning and application of the reading to our classrooms and students.
Attendance for BTAP participants ONLY: BTAP participants must fully participate in all discussion board sessions in Schoology (typically consists of 3 discussion board prompts, initial response and two comments on peer responses. In addition, BTAP participants are expected to fully participate in the virtual live Thursday meetings (posting in the chat box, participating in breakout sessions, and in the main room session). Recognizing there might be a time when a BTAP participant must miss a Thursday night live meeting an alternate reflection assignment will be assigned for the participant to complete. However, BTAP participants are allowed to miss only one (1) Thursday Virtual Live Meeting. Missing more than one virtual meeting (even with completing the alternate assignment) will result in non-completion of the course for BTAP purposes. BTAP Participants must notify Dr. Layton at dlayton@msta.org if missing a Thursday Virtual Live meeting.
PD Certification: At the end of the month, participation hours will be calculated and participants will be able to download their certificate of completion from the Schoology course platform.