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Next Steps

​After working with parents, an after school club, and with siblings to help Kindergartners achieve more, I found an unexpected desired outcome: joy surrounding the activity of learning outside the classroom.  I don’t know how to measure it, but I know it’s there, and I know it’s valuable. This discovery will guide my next steps.

If we plant a seed in the relationship between parent and child, the seed will grow. The seed represents the value of learning, and we can plant these seeds in a variety of relationships our students have outside the classroom.  We may be able to measure an amount of academic growth now, but my hope is that the value placed on learning outside of school will carry on, affecting our students, and students in generations to come. It’s a big dream, but why not?

Moving forward next year as a second grade teacher, I want to bring elements of my research to life in my classroom practice, and build on them for years to come.  I want to acknowledge and celebrate the value of existing relationships students have, and help them make room for learning together. I want to help parents, colleagues, and administrators to remember that it is our job to work with families and communities for the good of our students, and for the good of an educated country!

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Support

I'd like to express my sincere gratitude for the generous support of NapaLearns.  NapaLearns is a wonderful organization that is committed to providing quality professional development, funding, and encouragement to public schools, teachers, and students in Napa.  Without the help of NapaLearns, the growth I have accomplished over this past year would not have been possible.  Thank you for what you have done, and continue to do, for the teachers of Napa Valley. 

​I am incredibly grateful to Touro University and the Innovative Learning Masters Program.  The experience, knowledge, and confidence I have gained through this program cannot be measured.  The excellent leadership and friendship of each and every instructor has changed me as an educator and as a human being forever!

Innovative Learning Masters Program Cohort 16

The Sandau Family

​I want to thank each and every person in Cohort 16. The high standards set by everyone involved in this program have elevated my learning and challenged me continuously.  Each week, reading my peers’ blogs, checking out their work on the homework log, seeing their assigned presentations come to life on Wednesdays, participating in discussions--all of these things have impacted my thinking as an educator permanently. Equally impactful, is the nature of the people in this cohort. I have never met a group of people more kind, helpful, patient, and POSITIVE about growing as educators.
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I would like to thank my wonderful principal at Donaldson Way Elementary, Marilyn Abelon. Thank you for believing in me, investing in me, and trusting me with the very important role of academic specialist at our school. It was the confidence I gained from these gifts that led me to reach for a masters degree. A big thank you also goes to our wonderful kindergarten team for working with me on all of the action research cycles for our students.  You are wonderful colleagues with whom I am honored to work.

Thank you to my amazing family.  You've put up with an absent wife and mom over the past year.  You took the reigns and kept things going when I wasn't there to go shopping, give rides, make meals, clean house, or sort the mail.  You stayed up late with me so I wasn't alone downstairs working on the computer.  You inspired me to keep going, and commiserated with me when I was exhausted.You continued to succeed without me reminding you or coaching you through your hard things.  Thank you for your love, patience, and help!
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Research

Design Process