Final Leadership Reflection

I don't think my definition of leadership has changed at all. I do think that this class has helped me organize my thoughts on leadership in a much better way. I guess I always knew what characteristics and qualities I thought a leader should have but know have a much better understanding of how to put these characteristics to use.

My definition of teacher leadership is someone that wants the best for their school, students and community by promoting and supporting positive changes. They are also a person that takes risks when needed, volunteers when they can, accepts challenges with an open mind and values teamwork and collaboration.

I completely agree with the books assertion about "improving education from within". To me this concept is very similar to the "you have to love yourself before you can whole heartedly love anyone else." If we as the educators don't try to improve the education system, who will?

I know that I try to make our school a better place for students, staff and the community. I am very involved with our building and extra-curricular. In addition I feel like i am the students best advocate. I see and work with them everyday.

I enjoyed this class a lot and feel like I learned tons about the change process in schools. I know that it is not an over night event and that real change (meaningful and successful change) is long term. This class also made me realize that many of the duties I take on in my school are leadership roles.

Leadership week 5

In chapter 6 tehre are a couple of things that really stood out to me and I would like to take minute to reflect on them.

1. Map the Curriculum- really cool idea for not just incoming teachers. I think this would allow teachers to be more flexible and realistic with their lessons, instruction and activities!

2. Use assessments as teaching tools- feedback, feedback, feedback! Students need to be assesses both formatively and summatively and meaningfully. Why assign something if you are not going to be looking at it or grading it? If we expect the students to take time to learn/study/complete it, we should also be expected to give them meaningful and effective feedback.

3. Teach study skill- in the middle school we are just starting out this process and I firmly believe we need to start very basic. If we tell them and model successful ways to take notes and study in school, they will be more successful. We can't just expect them to know how to do these things.

4. Communicate with frequently parents- I like the analogy the books used about being a team. If you only communicate with the students you are basically only inviting half a sports team to a game. I also think that its super important to communicate with the parents at good times in the students educational career as well. At my school we have positive parent contacts. This is a great way for us to reach out and an praise students when they are doing well in class and being to build a friendly relationship with parents. By building this relationship right away, parents feel like you are not just a negative person but rather truly concerned about their childs' education-the good and the bad!

CEDO 565 week 4

It feels like it has been forever since we last had class yet I feel like I didn't get a break! With the school year in full swing it was great to have the last couple of weeks off to focus on my classroom, instruction, new digital art lab and our new 1:1s!

It has been a CRAZY year so far with all the new technology changes in our building. We started all of our 7th graders with netbooks this year and have been attempting to go "paperless" with them. As a specialist, I also have 8th graders so this task is quite daunting. Many of my classes are "mixed" sections so not all of my students have access to the net books.

I am really glad this course landed in our cohort schedule when it did. I have found myself becoming more of a leader in my school for our technology and LOVE it. I enjoy being able to share new ideas, apps, & processes with my colleagues as we all make this 1:1 journey together. I am also seeing how neccessary change is to education yet how difficult it is for many teachers to make. I like being able to help when I can and stay positive about these HUGE changes. Many of our staff members are scared and overwhelmed with the new initiave and dont want to embrace it with open arms yet. I am hoping to help lead some of these colleagues and give them the confidence to just try it and jump in!