Pride in new MWHS learning spaces

Today's post is from 10th grader Grace Elling

As a sophomore at Mound Westonka, I have experienced over two years at the high school. What is different about this year is that I have the opportunity to get out of the closed in classroom and go to a place where I am able to learn in an accommodating space. I have used the Student Commons, the Q Zone, and the C Zone. All of these areas have different aspects that allow me to learn how I want and with other students I feel I work best with.

Being able to use these spaces during Honors Chemistry has given me a better way to communicate with other students and differentiate my learning. We have taken learning style quizzes in classes but never had the availability to learn the way that works best for us until now. I am thankful for these spaces because now I am able to learn the best way that is possible for me. Hopefully more classes partake in this great opportunity for students in the near future!

 Grace and other students working in the new MWHS Student Commons

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Day 149 - Coming Back to Teach Kindergarten

Today's post is from Shirley Hills Kindergarten Teacher Aaron Thorpe
Going to school in the Westonka district was an amazing experience and one that heavily influenced my decision to become a teacher. Throughout my schooling career, teachers always challenged me, wanted the very best for me, and got me excited about various topics and learning in general. Many of my teachers, from elementary school all the way to high school, were excellent mentors and role models and made me want to become a teacher.

I feel so lucky to be a teacher in this innovative district! To be able to come to work everyday and be part of a community that truly takes such good care of each other and works together to ensure students get the most out of their schooling experience is pretty incredible. I used to think that my teachers seemed to really love what they did and had such a strong sense of pride in regard to their district. This was so cool to me and I always knew that I wanted to be part of something similar. Now here I am, teaching in the best district in the world, feeling a strong sense of White Hawk pride every time I walk into my school! I never thought I would be teaching in the Westonka district and now that I am, I hope to always be part of the great things that happen at Westonka everyday.

Aaron and his class of Kindergartners

If you have a story that you would like to share, please email mwhspride@277apps.org for more information! We would love to hear from you!

Day 35 - Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Today's post is from Kristin Wallace, English teacher at MWHS

There are thousands of reasons I am proud to be a White Hawk, but one that tops my list is working with the amazing educators I get to call colleagues, mentors and friends. The teaching staff at MWHS is second to none and being apart of this flock of White Hawks makes me incredibly proud.

No where is this pride more apparent to me than through the recent technology initiatives at MWHS. As a member of the Technology Integration and Learning Team (TILT), I have the opportunity to work with staff members from all content areas as they integrate technology and 21st century skills into the classroom.

Change is always challenging, but what I love about our staff is they embrace change with an open mind. They are passionately reinventing their assessments, lessons and teaching methods. They spend their evenings, summers and weekends learning from other educators and themselves, because they want to improve student learning. They aren’t satisfied with good and push themselves to be great.

I am proud to be part of this flock of compassionate and dedicated teachers. We support each other, we learn from each other and we inspire each other. They make me the best teacher I can be and MWHS the best place to work.

Kristin & Aaron