Springfield Missouri Public Schools

If you are want to support SPS in innovative and impactful ways, ?????? ?????? ???????? ???? ?????? ????????????????????. Introducing The Collective, a quarterly newsletter for our community partners. Each issue, we're providing updates to equip you with information about SPS that will help you be a positive voice and ambassador for SPS. The Collective is for: ?? Community partners currently serving SPS. ?? Local leaders who want to champion SPS programs. ?? Business leaders looking for ways to support SPS. ?? Citizens who want real data and facts about hot topics. The Collective is curated by Dr. Grenita Lathan to share information you can use, as well as an invitation for how you can continue to support SPS. SUBSCRIBE TO THE COLLECTIVE: ?? https://lnkd.in/g9TrB4Xr

You help our students' first educators be better every day. Happy National Parents as Teachers Appreciation Day, #TeamSPS.

The littlest learners know the Pledge of Allegiance. ???? At Shady Dell Early Childhood Center, every day begins with a group of pre-K students leading their school in the Pledge with their principal, Melanie Miller. "Shady Dell Lions are safe and responsible, and these students know the Pledge," said Miller. "We celebrate their leadership and communication skills when they serve as Pledge Leaders for our school." Schools are closed on Election Day, but polls are open until 7 p.m. Don't forget to vote. Shady Dell Early Childhood Center Pledge Leaders photographed: ?? Joshua Velasquez ?? Dawson Jenkins ?? Juliet Pino #SPSProud

Going the distance for student success. ?? Congratulations to all the members of #TeamSPS who ran in the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon this weekend. Your willingness to keep going, even when it's hard (and raining!) is so inspiring. Keep going. #SPSProud

Jarrett Middle School Project Lead the Way teacher has been named one of the best in the nation. ?? In a nationwide contest, Mook was named 2024-2025 PLTW Outstanding Gateway Teacher. Mook was recognized for the way he inspires, engages and empowers his students by creating learning experiences at Jarrett through PLTW programs. He was one of 25 PLTW Gateway teachers to receive the honor in the nation. "In my classroom, I work to build relationships with my students," said Mook. "Those relationships are key to students having the confidence to try and fail and try again. We learn so much by trying new things, by failing forward. Those experiences are essential to students gaining new skills and mastering learning standards." Chelsea Sisneros, coordinator of STEAM programming at Jarrett and Reed, nominated Mook for the award. "Mr. Mook is always finding new ways and encouraging kids to dig in and get their hands on their learning," said Sisneros. "He connects it back to what their futures can look like and what careers they might excel in." Mook is passionate about the PLTW framework and building connections with his students, something that has been a guiding principle since he began his career in education as a paraprofessional at Jarrett. "I wanted to one day be an award-winning teacher," said Mook. "But I've got a lot left to do." #SPSProud

Kickapoo ceramics and sculpture teacher Joel Blackburn is being celebrated in a nationwide exhibition. ?? Blackburn was juried into Strictly Functional Pottery National, a nationwide juried competition of 75-100 functional pottery pieces submitted by the top ceramics artists in the country. Blackburn is a professional ceramics artist, primarily working with functional, woodfired pottery. He’s been throwing pieces for nearly two decades in and out of the classroom. “I’ve always been intentional about being an artist who teaches, not just an art teacher,” said Blackburn. “I share my work and my process with my students. If I’m getting ready for a show or submitting to an exhibit, I tell my students that. They know when I submit, they know when I’ve been selected and when I’ve not. That’s a real-world experience for my students to learn what it truly means to be a working artist.” Blackburn is the Visual Art department head and ceramics and sculpture teacher at Kickapoo, teaching Ceramics and Sculpture I, Ceramics and Sculpture II, AP Art and Design and Art Foundations. He credits his ongoing success as an artist to the many teachers and mentors he’s had throughout the years, his core group of ceramics colleagues in the local clay community, and the support from his wife, Jessica Blackburn, a highly talented illustrator and fellow art teacher at Glendale High School. But it’s his students, and their commitment to learning in spite of failure, that inspires Blackburn to keep teaching and pursuing artistic excellence. “Learning pottery is one of the hardest experiences a student may have in high school,” said Blackburn. “Everyone is bad at this when they first start throwing. But you just keep getting better, and then you fail. You get better, and you fail. You develop resiliency, problem-solving skills, confidence, and creativity. Through failures come successes as long as you’re willing to keep going and try new things. Every art class teaches students those essential life skills.” #SPSProud

It’s a little spooky, a lot of learning. ?? In Jon Vaughan’s Ag Construction class at Hillcrest High School, students built Jack-o-Lantern Tea Lights as part of their first quarter learning. During the project, students learned the basics of how to operate a miter saw, sanding and staining. “It was really fun to use a miter saw,” said junior Wyatt Adams. “I figured it out pretty quickly, but making the Jack-o-Lantern was fun. I took it home and gave it to my mom. She loved it.” In Ag Construction, students use guaranteed and viable curriculum to learn how to navigate certain technical equipment, as well as learn life skills like problem solving, creativity and collaboration. It’s not so much making a lantern, it’s understanding how to build something, says Vaughan. “Ag Construction, wood technology, these classes help students learn life skills that can help them thrive in any career,” he says. “Building a Jack-o-Lantern is just a fun way to introduce students to what’s possible.” #SPSProud #Halloween

For 29 years, Julie Papen has been serving students and meeting their needs as an educator. And for the past two, she’s supported students with different abilities in a cross-categorical classroom at Bingham Elementary. “I’ve really found my home here at Bingham, and I love these kids so much,” she said. “They’re incredible, smart and capable, and I’m so grateful I get to help them learn.” On Oct. 21, Ms. Pappen received a 2024 We Love Teacher Award from Arvest Bank. The regional honor is given to more than 100 teachers across four states each year, teachers who are exceptional advocates for their students’ learning and focused on building intentional relationships with the families and school communities they serve. Arvest Bank Community Marketing Manager Chandler Johnston, VP presented the award, along with Arvest associate Katie Barr and National location branch manager Shelby Monnig. “Teachers are unsung heroes who truly go above and beyond in helping children in our community flourish,” said Johnston. “Arvest Bank and our associates are committed to helping our community thrive, and one critical way to do that is by investing in the classroom with our time and resources.” As a We Love Teacher Award recipient, Ms. Papen will be featured on the national Arvest Bank website, as well as receive $500 to purchase items for her classroom. “I’m so blown away by the recognition, and it means so much to be celebrated as a teacher,” said Ms. Papen. “I’m grateful for the support, and our students are, too.”

During National School Bus Safety Week, we are so proud to be ??rolling out ?? WheresTheBus, a new program that will allow you to know where your child's bus is, in real time. ?? This week, four schools began using the app as the pilot of this program. All other schools will be able to participate early next year. Using the WheresTheBus app, you will be able to confirm where your child has boarded or deboarded the bus, track their location of the bus in real-time and access precise arrival and departure information personalized to your child. This new app not only gives parents accurate data on where their child's bus is at all times, but also increases bus safety and allows SPS to accurately know which students are on which bus in the event of an emergency. #SPSproud

Thomas Maerke is committed to helping educators better integrate technology into their teaching for greater student achievement. Learn more about the October 2024 Employee of the Month. #SPSProud