Positive interactions, communication, and relationships with parents and families can enhance student outcomes, attendance, and behavior. It takes a village to educate a child, and teachers need parents to be part of their village! Having families on the team and fully supporting what you do in the classroom can be a real game changer. There's not one right or wrong way to do it, but building healthy, positive relationships with your classroom families should be at the top of your to-do list this year. Here are a few tips: 

• Make the classroom environment welcoming and let parents know when you are available to meet with them or visit by phone. 
• Use pick-up and drop-off times to make a quick connection with families. 
• Invite families to help in the classroom if your school allows it. 
• Keep parents informed. Make a quick phone call, send an email or postcard, or create a weekly or monthly newsletter. 
• Be real, relatable, and share tidbits about your own life. Families need to see you as a person, not just a teacher. Stay professional, but be approachable. 
•  Go the extra mile. When it becomes a habit, it's not overwhelming. The fruits of your labor will be ten-fold!

By making these efforts and more, you can build stronger, supportive relationships with the families of your students and make this school year more successful than ever! 

Shana Classen is the Project Manager of Physical Education and Health at the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and has worked at the OSDE for five years. Prior to joining the OSDE, she was a physical education and health teacher in Edmond Public Schools for 17 years. Shana earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Oklahoma Christian University and a master’s degree in school counseling from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Currently, she is pursuing her educational doctorate in education leadership at Southern Nazarene University.

In 2006, Shana attained her National Board Certification in physical education. As a teacher, she organized staff wellness challenges, running club, mileage club, monthly dances, and an annual health fair to promote healthy lifestyles for staff, students and families. Also, Shana had the opportunity to be a part of the “Healthy Schools OK” (HSOK) program, which provided professional development opportunities, curriculum, materials, funds, access to community partners and equipment for Action Based Learning (ABL) labs. As a result, she implemented health into the ABL lab with kindergarten through fourth grade students. Shana also collaborated with her colleagues for three music programs each year. 

Shana received the Health Educator of the Year award from Oklahoma Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance in 2017 and the Southern District Health Education Teacher of the Year award in 2018 by demonstrating innovative teaching in the field of health education. Shana has a passion for physical education and health because active and healthy students make better learners. John F. Kennedy’s quote says it best, “Intelligence and skill can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and strong.”

Since being at the OSDE, Shana has led the revision process for the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Health and Physical Education. She has worked with teachers from across the state to develop the first-ever Health and Physical Education Frameworks. Shana has led a team including Virginia Mitchell on an OSDE grant funded by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to develop a Health Education Micro-Credential and is currently developing a Physical Education Micro-Credential. Shana also leads professional development around the state and loves her time teaching other educators. If you have any questions about health and physical education, email Shana Classen.

Basking in the glow of this month's teacher spotlight is Susan Lalman, a physical education teacher from Morrison Elementary School. Susan was nominated for the September "Spotlight Story" due to her unique background in early childhood education, which significantly influences her approach to teaching physical education for PreK-2nd grade. Her lesson planning is notably effective because she skillfully modifies and differentiates activities for her young students. For example, she adjusted a complex health education lesson by introducing just one component at a time for her pre-k students. Over several days, she gradually added new concepts, allowing her students to absorb the material more effectively. Susan’s ability to scaffold learning in this way highlights her as an exemplary teacher, seamlessly integrating movement with academic content.

This is Susan's 35th year as an educator! She was a classroom teacher for pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, and second grade for 17 years, and is now enjoying her 18th year as a physical education teacher for grades pre-k through third. She obtained her elementary education degree from Kansas State University, an early childhood endorsement from the University of Missouri, and became certified in physical education upon returning to Oklahoma. She is also a proud National Board Certified Teacher. 

Here is what Susan shared with us about using play-based learning in her teaching:

"I enjoy teaching gross motor skills and beginning jump rope skills with poems by PEDancer's Literacy in Motion. It is so fun to see the growth in students! My students enjoy Ninja Warrior Training (obstacle courses) to practice skills such as jumping, hopping, skipping, walking on the balance beam, and crawling through tunnels. I added literacy by having letters to jump on and letters that made words for kindergarten and first grade.

I like using the playground to promote physical activity. Pre-k and kindergarten are working  on swinging, balance beam, climbing, and monkey bars. By teaching students how to play on the equipment, they can enjoy the playground more during recess.

For first, second, and third grade students, a striking unit is taught at the beginning of the year. They learn playground activities such as Gaga Ball and Tetherball. First graders play a game called Striker Ball to prepare them for Four-Square, while second grade students practice Two-Square and work up to the game of Four-Square. By having a schoolwide set of rules for these outside activities, recess on the playground is more fun!"

Susan also shared one of her students' favorite active movement videos, "The Floor is Lava Dance" from Danny Go!

Thanks to Susan Lalman and the other physical education instructors across the state for keeping our young students active, healthy, and physically fit! 

Connecting with families doesn't have to be complicated. Providing resources like these family guides can open lines of communication regarding academics early on. 

These flyers are available in both English and Spanish, and include helpful information aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards (what students should know and be able to do in each grade) and guidance on how to support student learning at home. Check out the printable guides for Physical Education and Health that can be sent home with your students to provide information for families and strengthen school-to-home communication! All of the Family Guides can be found on the OSDE website. 

The OSDE Early Childhood Education department has received inquiries concerning toilet training requirements for admission to Pre-K programs across the state. Oklahoma State Statute 70 O.S. 1-114 defines eligibility criteria for state preschool programs, and has been in effect since 1971. Being toilet trained should not be used as a condition for school enrollment.

The OSDE has created two new documents to provide guidance with this matter. School districts may now refer to the Oklahoma Public Schools Toileting Guidance and Additional Guidance for Toileting Procedures. Further questions may be directed to the Office of Early Childhood at 405-522-0755 or the Office of Special Education at 405-521-3351.

The OSDE is excited to announce free professional development workshops for the 2024-25 school year. These workshops will be held in different regions of the state and are designed to support educators with effective instructional strategies aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards.

The Early Childhood team will be leading workshops around the state in September and October called “Play to Learn in the Classroom.” This free, three-hour workshop will acquaint participants with the Play to Learn Act and explore research-based and evidence-based practices that will empower teachers to implement play in their classrooms while teaching content standards. There will also be a fun, interactive workshop from STEM and Computer Science for elementary teachers. 

Although the workshops are free, seating is limited. Click on a link below to register today.  Contact Yvonne Rossiter with any questions.

Early Childhood Fall Regional Sessions: Play to Learn in the Classroom        Discover the Play to Learn Act and explore research-based and evidence-based practices. This session will help teachers effectively implement play in their classrooms while teaching content standards.

• September 19: Muskogee
• October 1: Chickasha
• October 3: OKC
• October 10: Atoka
• October 29: Enid

Elementary STEM and Computer Science: STEM in an Elementary Classroom      Join us to explore engaging and interactive resources for integrating STEM into the classroom using center-based activities. This session will provide guidance on setting up and facilitating hands-on learning experiences that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills for elementary learners.

• September 11: Muskogee
• September 24: Chickasha
• October 15: OKC
• October 23: Atoka
• November 6: Enid

The OSDE has expanded the Early Learning Inventory (ELI) tool for use in Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. The ELI covers foundational knowledge and skills, such as counting and alphabet knowledge, as well as dispositions and abilities critical to early learning. Teachers will gain insight into 26 indicators across six domains to reflect students’ learning and abilities and learn to adjust instruction to better meet those needs. Training is provided asynchronously at no cost through OSDE Connect, and also in person upon request! We provided four different training opportunities this summer and are thrilled that so many districts are now using the ELI in their Pre-K classrooms!

If your district or team would like to join us, complete the interest form and someone from OSDE will be in touch.

The OSDE offers professional development for teachers and administrators in multiple formats, including synchronous and asynchronous virtual sessions, webinars, and in-person regional workshops.                                         

Visit the OSDE Connect platform to view multiple professional learning opportunities.

OSDE Required Professional Development

OSDE Online Professional Learning Opportunities