FAEL Program Newsletter

For many of you, the past month has been a blur of online learning, Canvas, graduate classes, and lots of preparation! We want to first begin by THANKING YOU for all that you do for the little minds of the future.

This goal of this month's newsletter is to share critical ways that we can continue to engage our students in social-emotional growth and relationships building while we persist in the realm of virtual learning. As a culturally responsive educator and future administrator, it is imperative that we continue to foster relationships with students and families during this time.

Many of us are used to spending the first few days of school getting to know our students so that we can best suit their needs within our classroom. The world of virtual learning has made face-to-face interaction minimal and the sudden changes brought on by COVID-19 have pushed many of us to focus on ensuring our content is available for the first day of school.

As culturally responsive educators and future administrators, it is important to continue to foster and value relationships building in our virtual classroom as well. An increased sense of belonging from students has been linked to not only happier and healthier students but also more engaged learners.

What are some ways you can continue to build positive relationships with your students?

We're excited to share a few!

• Host daily morning meetings. This will set the tone for the day and allow you to answer any questions students may have about assignments. This is also a great time to just check-in, ask students how their weekend was, or simply have some social interaction.
• Share weekly announcements. Consider recording a weekly announcement for parents/ guardians and students to review what the week will entail.
  
• Consider a virtual field trip. While in-person field trips are not feasible, we all know that field trips days were easily the BEST days ever. Consider a virtual field trip and pair it with a scavenger hunt and allow students to share what they find.
  
• Parent/Guardian Support. During this time, many parents/ guardians are overwhelmed with dealing with changing work schedules, virtual learning, and the financial strain of COVID 19. Suggest a grade-level parent/guardian support group that hosts a weekly virtual discussion session to cover any questions parents might have. Be mindful of scheduling sessions during times when most parents are off work.
  

• Culturally-Responsive Education is even more important as we work through distance learning. Check out THIS LINK for additional resources.
  
• Begin each day with a "Virtual Emotions Check-In"

Continue to work to actively build relationships with students by:

• Hosting school spirit days
• Provide a consistent schedule also, consider using consistent tools that are parent/ guardian friendly such as Remind 101.
  
• Greet students by name each day (encourage video sharing ONLY if students are comfortable)
• Call or email parents/ guardians about positive behavior and work
  

• Culturally Responsive Leadership Introduction with Dr. Susan Faircloth (Virtual) September 24, 2020 4:00-5:30 p.m.
• Cultural Responsive STEAM Overview, October 15, 2020, 4:00-5:30pm
• Interview and Resume Prep, November 12, 2020, 4:00-5:30pm
• Culturally Responsive Leadership Academy with Dr. Susan Faircloth for Cohort II (Tentative November or December 2020).

Fall 2020-Spring 2021 FAEL Professional Development Calendar

• NIEA 2020 Annual Convention and Trade Show (Virtual), October 7-9, 2020
• NCASA School Law and Policy Symposium (Virtual), September 21-22, 2020
• Bridging the Gap: Uniting NC STEAM K-16 Education (Virtual), October 27-28, 2020

Fall 2020-Spring 2021 Professional Development Opportunities

Vision: To increase the number of highly effective American Indian Administrators who will improve educational outcomes for American Indian students in North Carolina

Mission: To improve the quality of preparation services and culturally responsive leadership offered to aspiring American Indian administrators enrolled in the MSA Program at UNCP.

• FAEL Benefits
• Apply to FAEL
• Apply to be a Mentor with the FAEL Program
• FAEL Promotional Video

The FAEL program seeks to increase the number of highly qualified American Indian administrators in Robeson and surrounding counties and is designed to improve the quality of preparation services and culturally responsive leadership offered to American Indian MSA graduates. Additionally, this project will provide on-going professional development, mentoring support and induction services to participants that allows them to improve educational outcomes for American Indian students.

For more information and helpful resources, follow us on the web at https://uncpfael.wordpress.com/.

Master of Arts in School Administration Website.

Email: camille.goins@uncp.edu
Website: https://www.uncp.edu/academics/colleges-schools/school-education/educator-preparation-office/first-americans-educational-leadership-program-fael
Location: 1 University Drive, Pembroke, NC, USA
Phone: 910-521-6528
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1221943924646410/