Dr. Penrose's "Name It, Claim It": Special Education Teacher Christin Van Dam
There are incredible lessons, projects, and opportunities for students throughout Lansing High School. To share these initiatives, Dr. Penrose sends an all-staff email with pictures of an assignment, project, or activity and titles it "Name It, Claim It." The teacher responsible then replies to all staff to briefly explain what the unit is, what they are doing, and any reactions. The email allows teachers to visit other teachers' classrooms virtually and start conversations about student learning, cross-curricular activities, and differentiation.
The August 18, 2023 "Name It, Claim It" highlighted Special Education Teacher Christin Van Dam:
"I worked on Conscious Discipline this summer, and a large part of this is building connections. This is my Kindness Tree. It is not a "try and catch them" being kind. If students have something kind to share from home, school, practice, etc., they can put it on the tree. Ms. Berg and I also are putting kindnesses on the tree. It helps to teach children how to be helpful and kind to one another."
Wonderful job, Ms. Van Dam and Dr. Penrose!