Shelly Fryer Reflection
Shelly Fryer's website gives teachers a new and refreshing look on how to teach students. Rather than sitting students in a direct row and lecturing at them, Shelly Fryer creates a technology filled classroom that encourages community and creativity. Within the blog, Fryer states that creating a technology filled classroom starts with teachers knowing and integrating proper and useful technology within the classroom. I often feel that children often tell me and teach me how to use technology, but it is often apps such as Vine, Twitter, or Instagram. However, teaching students useful knowledgable apps such as Book Creator, SeeSaw, Opinion, and iMovie utilizes their comfortability with technology while teaching them new things. Shelly Fryer's Youtube Channel was interesting and very insightful. It shows teachers inside her classroom, giving ideas of how to use the apps, lessons to teach, ways to handle situations, and how to make maximum impact on our students learning and their lives. I love her quote that said, "What every student needs and deserves is a community that cares and believes in them." - Shelly Fryer. You can tell that everything Shelly Fryer teaches she puts a lot of time and effort into and she truly cares about students and what she teaches. Her students, 3rd and 4th graders at a homeless school, have constant struggles. Most homeless students do not continue to go onto college. Mrs. Fryer is making an ultimate impact on these kids and encouraging students to continue their education. You can see her enthusiasm and passion in her classroom website. I think Shelly Fryer is an amazing teacher. I am glad that there are teaching like her in the world that not only make amazing advancements inside of their classroom, but also take the time so show, share, and inspire teachers around the world through their website/blog.
My Comment To Shelly
Creating a community within the classroom is emphasized everywhere. However, it often seems that a teacher an just be nice to the students and have open conversation with them. However, you have shined a light on creating a real community within the classroom. The students don't just have a relationship with you, but also with each and every other student even if they don't regularly talk to them. I think the idea of Global School Play Day is an amazing concept. It not only encourages community, but communication skills and creativity. Especially in a school that caters to homeless children, I think this is an amazing thing. I also think you are an amazing teacher. It takes a special kind of person to love seeing growth in yourself, and others, and using that power to create change even beyond what you can see. You are impacting so many teachers that you will never get a thank you for or even recognize. So, from myself, thank you for inspiring classrooms everywhere (and my future theatre classroom!)
http://www.shellyfryer.com/2017/03/20/building-relationships-with-students-gspd/
http://www.shellyfryer.com/2017/03/20/building-relationships-with-students-gspd/