For the past two months I have tried to close out school and begin thinking about becoming the Head Principal. I have been serving as the Assistant Principal for the past 4 years. I was excited May 28th when graduation ended, and excited again June 7th after the closing staff meeting. However, I just haven't been able to close the school year our and begin solely thinking about the upcoming year. Summer school is being housed in our building, and even though I am not directly responsible, I still have some obligation to the discipline that may occur. This has some effect causing the year to linger, and I find myself standing on July 1st.
Other factors that I was not prepared for have been replacing the tile in the main office and guidance office. I am thrilled for this, but I have moved my office in transitioning to my new title, but I haven't moved in because I am waiting for the tile to be laid. That happens next week, and carpets will be cleaned, and walls are painted , and . . .????
To add to my personal pain, I was vacationing in Florida last week. We visited Destin, FL, and were oil free for 5 of the 7 days. I absolutely took 99% of the time off from work. I mixed in a couple emails and a phone call. Now, I am paying for the vacation, but isn't that how it works? You look forward to the trip for months, and the day you return to work the papers are piled to the ceiling. Back to life, Back to reality!
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Integrating Technology
I am currently working with a small group of teachers on a technology grant. A team of 4 freshmen teachers will be integrating technology into their instruction using a TPACK model. Roughly, it is combining technological knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and content knowledge to deliver instruction. To say the least, the timing is awful. The year is ending and that means graduation, prom, master schedule, teacher check out, etc. To add to this, our principal is moving to another district and I have been named the principal for next year.
I must say that the requirements for receiving the $$$$ holds me accountable to know what is going on. I am taking a course, attending meetings, and having dialogue with teachers not only in my school, but schools across the state. We are sharing ideas and learning from one another. The situation, even with the poor timing, is becoming a nice burden to have at 10:00pm. I can log on and share my ideas before I go to bed. No more racing mind, because I have a forum to release the mind. Nice, I know!
I say all of that to say this: Technology is a must in the classroom. It is time for us to quit being the gatekeeper and to allow the students to take over as the facilitators. They know what to do, we just need to guide their energies and demand that they reflect on their learning. Get out on the front lines and then move out of their way. This is hard to do. I recently said that telling teachers to get rid of their chalkboards, is like asking all dogs to quit chewing bones. Absurd, right? No, the only absurd thing would be to make technology optional for teachers to use.
I must say that the requirements for receiving the $$$$ holds me accountable to know what is going on. I am taking a course, attending meetings, and having dialogue with teachers not only in my school, but schools across the state. We are sharing ideas and learning from one another. The situation, even with the poor timing, is becoming a nice burden to have at 10:00pm. I can log on and share my ideas before I go to bed. No more racing mind, because I have a forum to release the mind. Nice, I know!
I say all of that to say this: Technology is a must in the classroom. It is time for us to quit being the gatekeeper and to allow the students to take over as the facilitators. They know what to do, we just need to guide their energies and demand that they reflect on their learning. Get out on the front lines and then move out of their way. This is hard to do. I recently said that telling teachers to get rid of their chalkboards, is like asking all dogs to quit chewing bones. Absurd, right? No, the only absurd thing would be to make technology optional for teachers to use.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
All Students Learn
Today, I attended a conference for being an effective facilitator for our District Leadership Team (DLT). The focus was on the creating and maintaining the three structures of a district; the DLT, building leadership teams, and teacher based teams. At the conference I ran into my former principal and he offered a way to truly get people riled up. He said to go into the DLT meeting and ask the members if all students can learn. Undoubtedly they will say yes. After they say yes tell them they are all wrong. It isn't that all students can learn, but instead all student learn.
He was right. All students learn. The bigger and more important question is what do we teach them? When do we teach it? Students will learn that you do not care about them, or that you feel sorry for them because they are poor, or that they will never be successful because of their zip code.
When you are with your students or your children, think about what you are teaching them at that particular moment. Are you teaching them something you want them to learn?
He was right. All students learn. The bigger and more important question is what do we teach them? When do we teach it? Students will learn that you do not care about them, or that you feel sorry for them because they are poor, or that they will never be successful because of their zip code.
When you are with your students or your children, think about what you are teaching them at that particular moment. Are you teaching them something you want them to learn?
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