Teachers Supporting Teachers - Professional Development @ Via Vita

Please welcome our guest blogger, Ms. Kaylea. She joined us for a day last week to observe our teachers, gather ideas, and learn what we do! As a teacher in a small school as well, Ms. Kaylea was hoping to gain insight into how she might be able to apply some of our philosophies to benefit her students. We were overjoyed to offer Ms. Kaylea some professional development that she could immediately apply to her own teaching. After her visit, she wrote us this little note to post on our blog. that we were eager to share with you! Enjoy the read! 

Hi! My name is Kaylea and I am a classroom teacher at a small school in rural Nova Scotia. I am currently teaching a class of students from grade primary to grade three. I contacted Adele for the opportunity to visit Via Vita Academy to learn how they run their multiage classrooms.

When I walked into the school I was greeted by the warm, smiling faces of the staff members. I could tell right away that they were oozing with passion as they engaged with students and parents.

We started the day with a morning meeting. All teachers should run their mornings this way! There is a bullet point agenda written by the students on the front board. What makes it unique is that every person has an opportunity to add their thoughts, ideas and concerns to the agenda. I noticed immediately that teachers didn't have to waste time ordering students to pay attention and listen to one another. I couldn't help but smile while I watched all of the students sitting around comfortably. After we sang Oh Canada every student dispersed and knew exactly where to go and what to do.

While I floated around for the day, I was able to see students bake, do yoga, read, write, complete individualized math activities and work on their term projects. I had the pleasure of watching a presentation from a student in grade 8, a theatre class, chore time AND I enjoyed delicious cupcakes to celebrate the April birthdays!

I was amazed by the teachers’ abilities to question. They let their students draw their own conclusions and only ask more questions to allow them to dive deeper into their thinking. It made me realize how much more questioning I could be doing in my own classroom!

As a public school teacher visiting Via Vita Academy, I left the school feeling jealous but also inspired. They're on to some big things and will be graduating students who will be ready for life beyond school.

I can't thank the staff and students of this wonderful school enough for the inspirational experience!