"We choose our life,
not a job."
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| Hanni - Second grade "I teach at Renaissance because I love the culture. The culture we create for kids and the culture of our staff. I love the confidence and compassion we build in children." |
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Julie - front office
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| Kathy - kindergarten teacher "Why I am at Renaissance - * I came initially as a parent. * I came again as a teacher because the Renaissance community cared about the whole child (not just academics). *I am here now because this school is everything I truly believe in as a teacher: a caring, small community where every child is noticed, loved, and is treated with respect; an ELOB school where learning is relevant, engaging, children are active learners, creates and takes risks inside and outside of the classroom; the staff believe in the potential of every child and go to great lengths to support and encourage each student; as a teacher I am supported and encouraged to be a risk taker and active learner in order to be the best teacher I can for the children. |
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| Lauren - third grade teacher "Renaissance embodies my personal ideals- life-long learning, pushing outside comfort zone, outdoor education, health, and happiness. I feel a sense of belonging I have never dreamed possible. At Renaissance, I am home." |
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| Neil- fourth grade teacher "I teach at Renaissance because I feel like I am trusted to do my job." |
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| Noreene - Instructional Specialist (That's marbled paper Noreene created this summer!) "I teach at Renaissance because this is where we can teach in a way that best serves learners young and old!" |
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Forrest - Fifth grade teacher
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| Mary Beth - First Grade "The reason I teach at Renaissance is because we get the deep connection between learning and community." |
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| Tyler - Third Grade " I teach at Renaissance because it's: Unique Outdoors Belonging Kindness Growing Constantly |
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| Andrea - Speech Language Pathologist "I'm working at Renaissance to inspire students to be lifelong learners and to provide students with the strategies and skills necessary to be successful learners." |
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| Michelle - 5/6 Discovery teacher
"I teach at Renaissance because when I walk through the front doors I feel a sense of coming home. A place where everyone is valued for who they are and where encouragement and support are offered unconditionally. We may be crew, we may be community, but we are also family."
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| Jill - First grade teacher "A few years ago, my husband and I chose Renaissance for our daughter and I liked it so much that I wanted to teach here. I love our philosophy - character traits, Expeditionary Learning, Adventure Education, Morning Meetings, Closing Circles, etc." |
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| Amanda - Second grade teacher
"I teach at REMS because I want to be a part of a school that I would choose for my children.
I love the focus on critical thinking, collaboration, real world problems,
risk taking, self esteem and reflection."
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| Nicole - 2/3 Discovery teacher "I teach at Renaissance because I wanted to join a culture which emphasizes both the academic and character growth." |
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| Pam - Art teacher "Expeditionary Learning's aim is to enable students to be more effective in handling future problems and objectives; to deepen and broaden awareness of self as well as the world; and to encourage openness to new ideas. That's why I teach at Renaissance." |
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| Deborah - Principal "I teach at Renaissance because I believe so deeply in the vision and mission. We haven't set out to reform education, but rather to create. To create a place where learning is human, academic, real and purposeful. It is so much more than a school. Relationships are key to everything we do, and we honor the unique spirits of all people. We are a community committed to our children and to one another." |
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| Elisha - Reading Recovery teacher and Instructional Coach
"I choose to teach at Renaissance because there is a culture of kindness, compassion, excellence, and collaboration that all make teaching such a joy!"
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| Ann - Learning Specialist
" I am excited to join the staff and am inspired by the school’s philosophies of learning. I admire the staff and school’s desire to foster a child’s character while exposing them to authentic learning experiences in the classroom and in nature.
I feel privileged to join the team of such an innovative school."
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| Lori - Registrar "I choose Renaissance because there couldn't be a nicer group of people to work with anywhere!" |
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| Dolores - Special Education Educational Assistant"I love working at Renaissance because I feel that it is a place that allows the students as well as the staff to develop and build on their own individuality. It was a great place for my 3 children to attend, including the one in this picture!" |
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| Lisa - Kindergarten Educational Assistant "I love teaching at Renaissance because of our outdoor learning...hiking, rock climbing, over-nights, - are great learning experiences about ourselves beyond just "book learning". |
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| Doug - Physical Education teacher "I took the job because Deborah was the first principal to not tell me I needed more experience. I stay at Renaissance because of the people, and the supportive nature of our community." |
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| Brittany - Discovery 4/5 Teacher "I chose Renaissance because I love the spirit of Crew. I love the collaboration and excitement among staff, and the amazing learning experiences we are able to offer our students. Renaissance is an amazing place to be." |
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| Jodie - Educational Assistant " Renaissance is special to me because of the sense of community." |
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| Josh - Fifth Grade Teacher " I choose Renaissance for its culture and its values. To me, this is a love and respect for the natural world and outdoor pursuits. I also love the drumming and the freedom teachers are given. We are able to design lessons that relate to the 'real world' and this creates a genuine 'buy-in' for kids." |
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| Wendy - First Grade Educational Assistant " Renaissance is special and I choose to be here because it is: * Creative * The Outdoor Learning * Sense of 'Crew' |
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Zina - Kitchen Manager
"Renaissance is an amazing school in so many ways. It is a school that
emphasizes teamwork and how you have much more collective power as a
team to reach your goals. Students are encouraged to use and
develop their creativity in a positive manner toward achieving their
goals. The provides a very caring and nurturing environment for students
that encourages personal growth. It is a pleasure for me to work in
such a unique school." |
Jody - Kindergarten Teacher
"My first thought was, 'Why wouldn't I teacher here?" Here everyone is accepted and respected.A place where it is safe to take chances, make mistakes and still learn.
Somewhere that is is warm, welcoming and I feel I belong. I wouldn't teach anywhere else!"
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| Eric - Building Engineer |
"I love working at Renaissance for some awesome reasons.
First and foremost is the "team" or "crew" attitude for working together. My upbringing always consisted of the term "there is no "I" in the word "team".
Everyone here has such a positive attitude and energy that it makes my job so enjoyable and make Renaissance a place I can come to each day and feel appreciated.
I really enjoy the support Miss Deborah gives when it comes to the subject of personal job goals. She lets me run with it and improve upon it every year. I can tell you that I feel so blessed to be able to teach all the students about Stewardship in our "Stewardship Cafe" as well as making good choices when it comes to protecting our beautiful school."
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| Cheryl - Music Teacher "I teach at Renaissance because it gives me the freedom to express my passion for music in a variety of ways." |
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| Josie - Literacy Specialist "I teach at Renaissance because I share the school's philosophy and mission."
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Dana - First Grade Educational Assistant
"I choose to work at REMS because every day
I see students take risks and achieve something new!"
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| Kristin - Health Assistant " I love Renaissance because I truly feel I fit in our Crew just as I am! It's my home away from home." |
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Kenny - Sixth Grade Teacher
"Why Renaissance is a place for me? In short, it's like a born again education; it's the education I would have loved to have had for myself when I was a young lad. The education provided and the teacher experience is creative, introspective, cooperative, nurturing, challenging, and inspiring." |
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| Andrea - Principal's Secretary "I work at Renaissance because the philosophy and culture align with my beliefs and bring joy to my life. I LOVE the people I work with." |
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| Linda - Spanish Teacher "I love thinking outside the box. I can be extremely creative here at Renaissance. I love to study the latest and greatest in teaching and have a place where I am supported in putting it into practice." |
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| Chelsea - Kindergarten Educational Assistant "The other day, my first grader explained her excitement for learning as "the magic of school". I work at Renaissance because I truly believe it is one of the few schools that instills the magic of school and learning in our students everyday. Renaissance fosters creativity and self-expression, inquisitive curiosity and problem solving, and the opportunity to challenge oneself on a daily basis. All that...and it's FUN!! What an amazing joy it is to be a part of something so special!" |
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| Chris - School Psychologist |
"I have had the opportunity to work in many different schools, including schools in
Washington, California, and Colorado. I enjoy the community atmosphere here at Renaissance
and innovative approaches for helping individual students."
Washington, California, and Colorado. I enjoy the community atmosphere here at Renaissance
and innovative approaches for helping individual students."
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| Cody - Adventure Education Coordinator
"Really it all comes down to purpose. After high school, I took a
commercial fishing job in Alaska. This turned out to be a true once in a
life time experience that will always play a part in my life. While in
Alaska, I had a vision/dream that still influences my daily actions. The
dream involved my grandfather that had died a few years earlier.
He
told me, among other things, to "live with purpose" and "to keep my
hands open".
My purpose has developed into
helping youth to develop a love for the outdoors
while facilitating a
deeper sense of self and community
for increased confidence and a
realization of their limitless potentials.
In order to change the world
you have to work with the future and children are our future."
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| Diana - Librarian "Renaissance is a place where students and teachers (and families) can grow, take risks and be challenged as learners. It feels like we are a family at Renaissance. I always say I GET to be the librarian at Renaissance!" |
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| Lindsey - Fourth Grade Teacher "I choose to teach at Renaissance because we strive to meet each child where they're at. We arm them with tools to grow their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses so that when they leave us they're confident about their potential to pursue their dreams." |
What an awesome staff! If you decide you want to revise your blurb about why you choose Renaissance you can email me up until early Saturday morning. At that time, I'll finish up my Ponderings Of a Principal Blog for our community, including the pictures and quotes. I will be emailing you the link to that blog, and ask that you send it out to your parents on Saturday.
Week of August 12 - 16th:
Wednesday, 8/14:
* All School Meeting 9:00 a.m.
* Professional Development:
- K-3 teachers training for MPG (Maps for Primary Grades) in library
- 4-6 teachers
Week of August 19- 23rd:
Tuesday 8/20 :
* RTI meeting 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday 8/21:
* Professional Development: CITE work session
Explanation of what this is will be provided during our session. This initial session will be offered on two different dates (August 21st and Sept.4th) and then will occur roughly every six weeks. Again - this will be explained.
Drills:
Lock Out! Secure the perimeter
Lock down! Locks, Light out, Out of Sight
Evacuate!
Shelter!
Lock Out! Secure the perimeter
Lock down! Locks, Light out, Out of Sight
Evacuate!
Shelter!
Some changes to how we have done this in the past:
* When we have drills Andrea will announce it is a drill and then we are required to pull the alarm. The fire alarm and the alarm for Lock Down.
The Lock Down alarm announces "Locks, Lights Out, Out of Sight". Because we will announce that it is a drill before we push the alarm, I will come around and knock on your door letting you know that the drill is over. In a real lock down, you would only respond to an officier of the law.
* We will not be able to schedule and give you advance notice of a drill as we have in the past.
* We have to have a fire drill in the first 10 days of school and then every month of the school year.
* We have to have a Lock Down drill, Shelter drill, and Lock Out (secure perimeter) drill every semester.
Outdoor Learning Environment Safety:
Please remember to send a student to the office to get
a walkie-talkie when you take your Crew outside.
You must be able to call the office if you required assistance.
The office needs to be able to find your classroom
if a parent comes for a student.
Professional Development:
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| The Circle of Courage |
Hacking School Makes Me Happy:
Logan LaPlante
by TEDxTalks
Have a great weekend!
Deborah
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