November is the perfect time to focus on the things we are most grateful for and I am most profoundly grateful for the staff at Venture Academy. You have my deepest appreciation for the work you put into our classrooms every single day. It’s not just the content you’re teaching—although that in itself is powerful. It’s the life lessons you weave into your teaching that have an even greater impact on our students.
You teach conflict resolution, how to handle disappointment, the art of perseverance, and the importance of integrity. These skills are not on any standardized test, but they are the foundation that students need to build their futures. You are giving our young people the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges and opportunities. You are preparing them not just to graduate but to make a meaningful contribution to the world.
We all know that teaching these lessons isn't easy. The progress is slow and efforts often go unrecognized. But know this: your work is making a difference. The growth you inspire might not be immediate or obvious, but it is happening. You are changing the trajectory for kids who may not have seen a hopeful future for themselves.
The seeds you plant in your classrooms today continue to grow long after your students leave our school. And that growth, that transformation, is the most important work in the world.
Thank you for your dedication, your perseverance, and your unwavering commitment to our students’ success—both academically and in life.
Here is a note from Christina Cox regarding credits for fall term:
Hello!
Included in this email is a registration link for Fall 2024 UI Professional Development courses. Participants must register online through the link(s) provided below by December 2. Please note that educators must first create an account in Keeplearning.uidaho.edu (instructions attached) to register and pay.
Venture Academy Professional Development
Please let me know if you have any questions and/or need more information.
Thanks!
Christina
Christina Cox
Professional Development Program Manager
Professional Development Opportunities and Transcript Requests:
https://keeplearning.uidaho.edu
Student Transcript Instructions.pdf (uidaho.edu)
Gallup research reveals a troubling trend: student engagement steadily declines from elementary to high school. About 74% of fifth graders feel highly engaged, but by high school, that number falls to only a third. I can't cite a specific research study, but my gut (and probably yours too) tells me that alternative school kids are much less than 30% engaged. We know this matters because engaged students are more likely to succeed in school and feel hopeful about the future.
Engagement is one of those words that might cause collective cringe among teachers. We hear about it a lot, but if feels like a unicorn - sought after but rarely seen. What does it really mean, and why does it matter?
Engagement is about investment, interest, and connection as it relates to learning. It’s more than just showing up to class; it's about an active commitment to being part of it.
Engagement falls into three categories:
Behavioral Engagement: This includes participating in academic and extracurricular activities, following rules, and showing up to class ready to learn. It’s the visible signs of a student being “plugged in” to school life.
Emotional Engagement: This is about students' feelings toward their teachers, peers, and school. It’s about having positive relationships and feeling a sense of belonging and safety at school.
Cognitive Engagement: This involves a student’s willingness to put in the effort to learn. It’s about being motivated to tackle challenging work.
For high school students, engagement often comes down to feeling that what they are learning is meaningful and relevant to their lives and future. It’s influenced by relationships with teachers, the ability to express themselves and have a say in their learning, and how well the school environment supports their growth and aspirations.
So, what do we do about it? We lean into what works. The workshop model and student-centered learning protocols aren’t just buzzwords—they’re game changers. When we give students a voice, make learning interactive, and connect it to real life, we make school a place where they want to be. Engagement isn’t about making things easy; it’s about making them meaningful.
As we move forward, let’s do it with intention. Let’s keep creating lessons that get students talking, thinking, and connecting. Let’s build classrooms where they feel seen, supported, and excited to learn.
Thank you for everything you do to keep our students engaged and inspired. This work isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.
Thank you for posting the learning objectives and the workshop model on your board every day and for every lesson. Here is a cool thing I saw in class this week:
This teacher moves the arrow as the lesson progresses so students can see where they are and what the expectations are for the learning.For the Week of November 4
Bus Duty: Njoku
Monday:
Tuesday: Certified workday - no students
Wednesday:
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified collaboration: 8:00 am in the library
For the Week of November 11
Bus Duty: Mahoney
Monday: Veterans' Day: Mr. Vaughan, thank you for your service! Do we have any other Veterans at Venture?
Tuesday:
Wednesday: Kennedy out @am
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day
For the Week of November 18
Bus Duty: Mazhan
Monday:
Tuesday: Kennedy out@am
Wednesday: Exhibit/Family Night
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day
For the Week of November 25
A Week of Thanksgiving!!!
For the Week of December 2
Bus Duty: Nettles
Monday: First Day of Term 2
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Certified Staff Collaboration 8:00
For the Week of December 9
Bus Duty: Tacke
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday: Trent visiting Venture
Friday: Non Work Day
