On the final weekend of class we finished our class presentations. The class as a whole did a nice job with their presentations. The material was general knowledge that I did not feel was earth shattering but it was applicable information that will be able to use one day.
I really enjoyed the activity we finished the day with on Saturday which was the busing and transportation activity. That was fun and I always enjoy working with others in the cohort to find what their point of view is for the different problems. This gives me an insight that I may not have considered and allows us to create something bigger and better than what we may have been able to do on our own.
On Sunday we were presented with the challenge of working through a school crisis and similar to the activity from Saturday this always gives a perspective of the other cohort members that I would have not seen otherwise. I appreciate Dr. Buckmiller's willingness to provide us with these learning opportunities. It puts people outside of their comfort zone and it does make us think about issues and problems that we would normally not think about. From my view I enjoy this type of position because when the time comes for me to be in that leadership role I understand there are going to be situation that I will need to handle with care and have the ability to react quickly with others in the best interest.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this class and will be able to directly apply much of the content to my first administrative position.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Commercializing in Schools
In education we are always looking for additional money sources to fund the things we would like to provide for the students. The trouble becomes when money is found, what can that money be used for. This is a double edged sward for schools in need to true financial assistance. The article posted on twitter, http://t.co/7JVkVarn talks about the pros and cons of accepting money from cooperation's.
When money is allocated to a school district there are certain money for certain things and that is the same for money given by corporations. What schools seem to overlook is where that money can be spent or how it can be spent. Most of those options from cooperation's are presented with the idea that there no stipulations on what they money can be used for and that ends up creating a controversy with the school after they received the money. As an inspiring adminsitrator it is going to be very important for me to be cautious of the programs or cooperations I involve my school in so we are sure not to be in a sticky situation in the end.
The other part of this article talks about how much of the cooperate money really generate student critical thinking. If our number one interest is creating a good learning environment for our students then it should be my responsibility to create or help create that environment for the students and my staff to be successful.
When money is allocated to a school district there are certain money for certain things and that is the same for money given by corporations. What schools seem to overlook is where that money can be spent or how it can be spent. Most of those options from cooperation's are presented with the idea that there no stipulations on what they money can be used for and that ends up creating a controversy with the school after they received the money. As an inspiring adminsitrator it is going to be very important for me to be cautious of the programs or cooperations I involve my school in so we are sure not to be in a sticky situation in the end.
The other part of this article talks about how much of the cooperate money really generate student critical thinking. If our number one interest is creating a good learning environment for our students then it should be my responsibility to create or help create that environment for the students and my staff to be successful.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thought Experiment
This month's issue of Ed Leadership has been one of the best in recent years. One of the article is explaining how we can guide students through a thought experiment. This is an instructional strategy created by Robert Marzano who is an education researcher and author of many different education books. Ed Leadership posted this article on twitter: bit.ly/vk5xoP and as I was reading through it I found it very facinating and began imagining how I could use this in my own classroom. With a non traditional setting it is difficult to find traditional strategies that work effectively but this one might just work.
There are 4 phases: 1. Imagine 2. Explore 3. Describe 4. Confirm. Each of which are described in greater detail in the article but each specific in their own right. Students in a classroom which this strategy is being executed are going to be able to emerse themselves into an idea or subject of theory in ways never imagined.
The 4th phase, Confirm, is where the technology piece can be added. This will allow students time to use their ipads, laptops, even their phones if they have internet capabilities to research and find supporting evidence to the topic being discussed. It is always fun to find new innovative ways to help students understand the practical things in life.
There are 4 phases: 1. Imagine 2. Explore 3. Describe 4. Confirm. Each of which are described in greater detail in the article but each specific in their own right. Students in a classroom which this strategy is being executed are going to be able to emerse themselves into an idea or subject of theory in ways never imagined.
The 4th phase, Confirm, is where the technology piece can be added. This will allow students time to use their ipads, laptops, even their phones if they have internet capabilities to research and find supporting evidence to the topic being discussed. It is always fun to find new innovative ways to help students understand the practical things in life.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Weekend 2
This was a very fast moving weekend for the second weekend of a class. Usually by this time we are just trying to grind through to the final weekend, but not this time. Kudos to Dr. Buckmiller for trying some different things with out cohort, the activities have been very useful and meaningful. The grind of having class on the weekend is bad enough but doing the same things over and over makes it even worse, so starting the weekend at Urbandale middle school was a great idea.
It is always good for me to learn things on site rather than sit and talk about them, this helps me visualize what took place and better understand why the district made their choice. Following this morning of great conversation and experience we began listening to presentations from fellow classmates on building management topics. The presentations are good but all of our layouts seem to be the same.
After taking a day to reflect on the weekend I was trying to decide what I enjoyed most about Sunday. Yes Jason Glass came and talked about his blue print and that is always great to be able to hear him talk about his thoughts and vision but I enjoyed the early career assistant principal, Adam Tjeedrsma from St. Francis. He mentioned a lot of topics that many of us will also experience in the next couple of years. All of the examples he gave were good solid examples that most of us can apply to our clinical experiences or even working experiences. I especially appreciate the tips for interviewing. When he talked about being outgoing and showing enthusiasm during the interview, that is always a good reminder because like him I can become somewhat dry humored and forget to show my feelings.
I always appreciate all of the great conversation that is created in our class. With the variety of people who participate in discussion, I am always learning from their experiences and hope they are learning from mine.
It is always good for me to learn things on site rather than sit and talk about them, this helps me visualize what took place and better understand why the district made their choice. Following this morning of great conversation and experience we began listening to presentations from fellow classmates on building management topics. The presentations are good but all of our layouts seem to be the same.
After taking a day to reflect on the weekend I was trying to decide what I enjoyed most about Sunday. Yes Jason Glass came and talked about his blue print and that is always great to be able to hear him talk about his thoughts and vision but I enjoyed the early career assistant principal, Adam Tjeedrsma from St. Francis. He mentioned a lot of topics that many of us will also experience in the next couple of years. All of the examples he gave were good solid examples that most of us can apply to our clinical experiences or even working experiences. I especially appreciate the tips for interviewing. When he talked about being outgoing and showing enthusiasm during the interview, that is always a good reminder because like him I can become somewhat dry humored and forget to show my feelings.
I always appreciate all of the great conversation that is created in our class. With the variety of people who participate in discussion, I am always learning from their experiences and hope they are learning from mine.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Longer School Days or Longer Years?
Today the Des Moines Register published an article about lengthening the school day or the year http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20111106/NEWS/311060039/Iowa-education-plan-likely-to-feature-lengthening-school-day-or-year. Whenever the idea of making someones work day long is brought to the table it is going to create controversy. All though educators are paid on a yearly salary, they are contracted for a certain number of days for the school year and a certain amount of hours for each day. If the idea is proposed to expand those hours or days people are going to want more money and rightfully so. The issue then becomes where does that money come from.
The article states that research has shown if hours in a day or school year are expanded the test results will rise, so if the overall plan is for education to raise student achievement then this should be a route explored. It would be hard pressed to argue with the idea that is research based but it is important for a school district or the state to put money up to make this happen.
With change happening so quickly it is important for people to realize that change usually cost money and the bigger the change the bigger the money. With the tight budget of today economy it is important that we are patient in these changes. As educators we can not jump to conclusions and become defensive about the idea right away because they are just ideas and thoughts. Forming questions about these issues are always a good thing, the part that does not sit well with me are the people who form all sorts of questions but never offer any solutions.
The article states that research has shown if hours in a day or school year are expanded the test results will rise, so if the overall plan is for education to raise student achievement then this should be a route explored. It would be hard pressed to argue with the idea that is research based but it is important for a school district or the state to put money up to make this happen.
With change happening so quickly it is important for people to realize that change usually cost money and the bigger the change the bigger the money. With the tight budget of today economy it is important that we are patient in these changes. As educators we can not jump to conclusions and become defensive about the idea right away because they are just ideas and thoughts. Forming questions about these issues are always a good thing, the part that does not sit well with me are the people who form all sorts of questions but never offer any solutions.
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