South View Stories

Tune in to this episode of South View Stories where we dive into the transformative changes at South View, discussing the key elements of culture, agency, and belonging for both students and staff. Sarah Miziorko, Tami Jo Cook, and Tricia Pettis share the impactful milestones and recognitions that highlight South View's commitment to progressive education. Learn how their strategic initiatives and community engagement have fostered a thriving learning environment. Episode Highlights: Strategic Beginnings: The journey began in 2016 with a new strategic plan focused on fostering learner agency and collective leadership, setting the stage for the transformative changes to follow. Innovative Programs: Introduction of WIN and FLEX Time, innovative programs adapted from elementary models to middle school needs, focusing on 'what I need' to facilitate tailored learning experiences. Recognition and Awards: South View’s achievements include being named an AMLE School of Distinctions and a Special Olympics National Banner School, underscoring our commitment to inclusion and progressive education. Community and Professional Development: Hosting workshops and inviting educators to learn from South View's practices, enhancing our role as leaders in education through active community engagement and sharing. Building During Disruption: Utilizing the challenges of building construction and the COVID-19 pandemic as catalysts for further development in creating flexible learning environments and emphasizing the importance of belonging. Continuous Improvement: Ongoing efforts in advisory programming, SEL integration, and refining assessment practices to support student independence and teacher effectiveness. Empowering Staff: Strategic use of instructional coaches who maintain classroom roles to strengthen teacher development and effectively implement school-wide initiatives. Leadership and Vulnerability: Emphasizing psychological safety and vulnerability within the school leadership to foster a supportive and ambitious educational environment. The Impact of Belonging: A strong sense of belonging has led to reduced discipline referrals and high reports of supportive relationships, enhancing both student and staff satisfaction. Looking Forward: As we continue to build on these foundations, our focus shifts to enhancing literacy and numeracy through innovative tools like FastBridge, aiming for comprehensive academic excellence and community well-being. Join us as we discuss these topics and more, sharing our South View story of creating a thriving educational community where every member discovers their possibilities and thrives!

This episode features a collection of short, 2 minute stories from several of our staff members.

Advisors, learners, and caregivers reflect on March Learner Led Conferences.

Today we talk about some of the factors that contribute to staff Belonging at SV.  

 In this episode Sam Jacobson and Alex Sackett share a bit about who they are, who the other family staff members and students are, and encourage you to find your family at SV.

In this episode you'll hear learners and staff members talk about what it looks like for team South View to rally around one of our big rock efforts: numeracy.

Several site visit attendees share their key takeaways as they reflect on a day of learning at South View.

Teachers Mary Howe and Christina Beddies discuss agency with Principal Pettis. Later in the episode, you will hear from two learners about the systems and structures that support their sense of agency.

At South View, we believe in feedback. Each teacher brings in a wealth of strengths, perspectives, and contributions that we can and should lean into, because we are better together than we are alone. On today's episode Sam Jacobson and Micayla Irmiter will share why some content teams have chosen meaningful grading, how it started and how it is going, benefits, obstacles, resources.

Eli Mickelson asks students what it is like to co-write and lead restorative circles. Followed with Tricia Pettis talking with students about their feelings of a Tier 2 restorative circle and how circles impact student and teacher experiences at South View.

Join Jason Pusey as he interviews Sarah Miziorko about Meaningful Grading at South View.

You are listening to part 2 of 2: ENVoY: Preserving Energy for What Matters Most. In part two you’ll hear from Sam Jacobson and Kate Kobany on the second two phases of a lesson- Transitioning to Seatwork and Seatwork. Both Sam and Kate bring with them ENVoY expertise, and share how ENVoY connects to our ongoing work to preserve relationships and increase learner’s sense of belonging.

A conversation between Nicole Dimich, Joy Fredrickson, Sarah Miziorko and Tricia Pettis about the process of supporting students and teachers in the Restorative mindset at South View as we build our sense of belonging in community.

We are excited to welcome 6 of our new staff members. Listen as they share a bit about themselves. If you haven't please go back and listen to part 1 to meet the rest of the team.

We are excited to welcome 6 of our new staff members. Listen as they share a bit about themselves, and be sure to tune back in next week for part 2!

Tricia Pettis, Dr. Cook, Sarah Miziorko, Whitney Brauchla, and Marit Oberle reflect on the ways Working Genius has tranformed our work and the way we team.

Dr. Anderson and Tyler Moberg reflect on his 7 year tenure here at South View. He shares memorable highlights, key elements of our school transformation, his legacy, how he’s changed personally & professionally, words of advice for South View, and specific gratitudes for this signature highlight of his career.

Tyler Moberg and Principal Dr. Tim Anderson reflect on the use of podcasting at South View Middle School with lessons and examples that could apply to any organization.

You are listening to part 1 of 2: ENVoY: Preserving Energy for What Matters Most. In part one you’ll hear from Ryan McCauley and Carrie Gerber on the first two phases of a lesson- Getting their attention and teaching. Both Ryan and Carrie bring with them ENVoY expertise, and share how ENVoY connects to our ongoing work to preserve relationships and increase learner’s sense of belonging.

Whitney Brauchla, Rachel Knaeble, and Jennie Schaefer share ways they are living out our value of inclusion for each and every through our Edina Unified and Aspire programs. 

Today we speak with five South View advisory teachers to highlight the ways in which they are supporting the agency and belonging of each and every South view student.

In Season 2 episode 3 the advisory task force recorded an episode outlining our South View Advisory purpose and structure. This episode is intended to be a continuation of that episode bringing in the real purpose of our work, our learners.

This conversation is rooted in our district mission statement, `We support every student’s educational journey by creating a caring and inclusive school culture that supports the whole student.” In advisory we seek to support the whole student by focusing on growing the learner's sense of belonging and agency. Today we have invited some of our learners in to talk about advisory, seeking to learn with and from them as we hear about their experiences in advisory, and how we could strengthen those experiences. 

Tyler Moberg, Tricia Pettis, and Jon Heeringa discuss common myths and truths when it comes to learning pathways. 

Tricia Pettis and Tyler Moberg discuss functions of feedback, criteria for effective feedback, and practical strategies that you can apply to your own feedback practices.

Tyler Moberg and Tricia Pettis discuss 10 common myths and truths around feedback. Myth or Truth and Why? 

1. Teachers should grade and/or provide feedback on everything they assign.
2. Providing quality feedback takes a lot of time.
3. Feedback is most valuable when it’s provided right away.
4. Most teachers spend a lot of time grading end of unit, or summative, assessment, and this is what's most helpful for learners.
5. A score of 19/30 is an example of feedback.
6. Students always read feedback.
7. Feedback can raise student anxiety.
8. Student/Teacher relationships impact the effectiveness of feedback.
9. Telling students exactly what they need to do to improve is quality feedback.
10. Feedback is one directional - from teacher to student.

In Feb, 2022 Janel Weiland released an episode titled Helping Us Help Them: Voices of our Paras where she talked with Janell Bistodeau and Sam Denuccio. This episode is intended to be a continuation of that conversation.

This episode is grounded in the belief that we are better together and cannot achieve our mission alone.And that through a purposeful community we seek to better understand the strengths and perspectives different from our own.

Educational associates are one of our most powerful classroom resources, which makes it of utmost importance that we are set up to capitalize on all they have to offer.   I invited Jacey and Michelle here today to discuss their role in the classroom and to hear from them a bit more about how general ed teachers might grow their partnership with educational associates in an effort to increase opportunities for all.  This conversation is rooted in our district mission statement, ``We support every student’s educational journey by creating a caring and inclusive school culture that supports the whole student.”  Thanks for taking some time to listen and reflect on next steps!

Listen in on the World Language Department: Betony, Mary, Danyel, Gretchen, Anile, and Jessica as they share their success and gratitude on this World Language episode in the PLC Series, here at South View

Assistant superintendent Dr. Randy Smasal and Principal Dr. Tim Anderson discuss ways that South View is living out our mission statement to deliver educational excellence by preparing all students to realize their full potential. Topics of conversation include learner agency, future ready skills, advisory, C-day, SSEP student Nasa project, learning progressions, and advice for South View as we move forward. 

Assistant superintendent Dr. Randy Smasal and Principal Dr. Tim Anderson discuss ways the South View is living out our mission statement to create a dynamic learning community through investing in belonging for our students and staff. 

Learner Agency Task Force members Tricia Pettis, Liz Skoglund, Jon Heeringa, and Marit Oberle share a conversation around our school wide advisory model. They discuss personal passions for advisory, recent challenges, hopes for the upcoming year, and success stories!

Rachel Christian and Janel Lablance share PLC highlights, marked growth, challenges, hopes for the future, and gratitude's.

Kaela Loo and Tricia Pettis, best friends and colleagues share an authentic conversation reflecting on their time together here at South View.

Betony Osborne (French Teacher) interviews Zhuo Wang (Chinese Teacher) regarding an Edina Magazine article recently featuring her work of finding ways to build cultural awareness as a way to address Asian hate. They discuss how Zhuo is empowering her students to be a part of the solution by raising money and learning about the similarities and differences amongst cultures. 

Janel Weiland (Instructional Coach) interviews Erica Gardner and Matt Pearson (Spring Musical Directors) about their most recent production of Hairspray. They discuss why they chose to Hairspray as a musical, barriers they addressed and overcame, the impact this piece had on our school, and what they are most proud of regarding their work.