5/17/14

Currently we are working on a plan where we can allow teachers to collaborate more.....One thought is that we can create study groups around common themes supporting the educational environment. For example, my current interests lie in being able to ask and develop better questioning in all of my teaching. Other teachers may have different areas, but it allows for choice for teachers, and better teamwork and trust to develop while still focusing on student improvemnt.
Another thought has been to allow individuals to afford themselves of a coaching model. Where dialogue happens back and forth between two individuals that are committed to teaching improvement.
My final idea is that we create a space for all the "cool things" teachers do in their rooms....things that really work, and make the classroom an exciting place to be.  For example.....teaching students how to invite other students; that may be not participating. It's hard for the teacher to always make sure that everyone is engaged.....what if you could create classroom environment where students were tracking that and making sure to include all? "Cool thing"

Ready.....AIM!

4/4/14

I am quite taken with "Unmistakable Impact" by  Jim Knight.... with every word he writes it is as if my personal beliefs are chiming along with him. That is such a rewarding experience! I love where he starts with the "Target" that which focus' all staff to knowing what they are striving for. Is that a little bit like the research that has comes out where we allow students to track their own learning?
  "First, every educator should have an opportunity to provide authentic input into the document." Heck Yes! or it will just become another directive handed down from above! Listen to the teachers! They are your first line of defense!
  "Second, the Target should challenge every educator to become a more effective instructor."   Too often I see instructors choosing goals that are easily obtainable just to keep administration at bay. We need to challenge ourselves, and our fellow instructors.
  "Third the Target should describe teaching practices that will genuinely help meet students' needs." Of course!
"Fourth,the Target, when completed describe a compelling set of goals are easily understood and that everyone is committed to achieving." (p.65 "Unmistakenable Impact, Knight)

I believe the Target needs to be something everyone could look at each and every day....and be able to say "Yes! I did that today....and I did it here......" I wonder why more principals haven't read this ....