The Gator Way

The Gator Way for Virtual Learning

As a new teacher to the district, the Gator Way is very important to me! I expect my students to always be respectful, responsible, safe, and of service. It's extra important that we are all on the same page about how to be our best selves for virtual learning. Look at the matrix below to learn about how to show the Gator Way during virtual school. Keep scrolling to read more about my classroom expectations down below too!

My ClassZOOM Expectations

Read everything below to figure out how to follow the Gator Way in my virtual classes! Following these expectations will help us make the most of our time together.

What does it look and sound like to be RESPECTFUL?

Mute yourself on Zoom when I ask. You will have a chance to talk and ask me questions. I want to hear ALL of your voices, but first I need to give you directions. If I ask you to unmute, please do so! If you need to ask a question out loud, please use the "raise hand" function on Zoom or follow our hand signals.
Be kind and courteous in the chat. Let's try to keep the chat feature as a way to ask questions or provide meaningful thoughts to the group. Use school appropriate language.
Keep distractions (TV, cell phone, music) put away. Your learning is SO important!
Participate in class! Stay focused. Ask and answer questions. Practice, practice, practice on iReady and during class time. Yadier Molina, Kobe Bryant, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic weren't just born great (although Zlatan would probably disagree) they had to spend time PRACTICING.
Stay on topic and limit side conversations. Please make sure your comments, questions, and conversations are related to the topic we are learning.

What does it look and sound like to be RESPONSIBLE?

Be on time. Join our Zoom class on time, or even a couple minutes early! I will always be on our Zoom call at least 5 minutes early - feel free to get on early to ask me questions or to just chat :)
Be prepared. Have your materials (pencil & paper) ready to go. Make sure your Chromebook is charged!
Be in a quiet, indoor location. Make sure your family members know you are on a Zoom call. Make sure there isn't any music or TV playing in the background. Again, your learning matters!
Check email and Google Classroom every single day. Respond to emails within 24 hours.
Complete all assignment in a timely manner. It's incredibly important to me that you make successful gains in your math abilities this year, but in order to do that you have to complete assignments ON TIME.

What does it look and sound like to be SAFE?

Use your Chromebook safely. Visit safe, school-approved websites.
Communicate safely. Make sure you use your Chromebook to communicate only with people from our school. Their email address should end with @gsastl.org
Report any unsafe behavior to a teacher or principal. If you hear of someone participating in unsafe behavior (talking to strangers, talking to you or others about unsafe behavior, looking at unsafe websites, etc.) please report it to a staff member.

What does it look and sound like to be OF SERVICE?

Help others when you can. Sometimes the best learning happens when you help those around you.
Help your classmates to stay on task. Avoid distracting behaviors and off-topic conversations.
Help your parents and family to stay connected with school. Share announcements and other important information with them. Invite them to help you with your assignments!
Be helpful in your home! Help your parents and family around the house. Keep your study space neat and tidy. Ask those you live with how you can be helpful to them!

CONSEQUENCES AND REWARDS

Look at the photo below to know what you can expect to happen if you do meet our expectations (rewards!) and if you don't (consequences).

REWARDS

If I can always count on you to follow the Gator Way in our virtual classroom, you might receive some of the following rewards:

Verbal Praise: I'll say something like "Woooooo!!! You are the best!!"
Positive Contact Home: I'll email home and say "Wow your student is just the BEST ever! You should buy them a new iPhone, or XBOX, or whatever they want!"
Choice Time Pass: For the last 10 minutes of class I'll give you time to do something of your choosing (play a game, chat, etc.)

CONSEQUENCES

If I can't count on you to follow the Gator Way in our virtual classroom, I'll be sad and I'll have to follow these steps:

Removal from Class: I might have to ask you to leave our Zoom and come back when you can be more respectful and responsible.
Email or Call Home: If it's really not working out well for us, I'm going to have to ask your parents or caretakers to help me out.
Referral to the Principal: I hope this doesn't happen! If you continuously violate the Gator Way in our virtual classroom, I will complete an office referral and ask for the principal's help.

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