Are you relevant ? ?

Are you relevant? Are schools relevant? Can we change? How?
What were your thoughts as you watched this?

Cell Phones in the classroom

Cell phones have been a problem in middle schools and high schools. Alabama is working on a solution. Instead of banning cell phone use they are looking at ways to use them in the classroom as research tools....way to go Alabama.
What do you think?

What bothers you about schools today?

In my preparation for becoming a principal, the area I see as a concern is communication. I wish that the superintendent, assistant superintendent, board members, and all directors could make contact with every school. Communication needs to begin on the inside of a building and spread through the layers of district personnel. When decisions are made whether building or district, I like to know why, or possibly have input with decision making. I think our district is moving in that direction, and change can take a long time. Being proactive and thinking how teachers, parents, and staff will feel about decisions would be an excellent first step.

I was so excited during a staff meeting I attended for my internship. My experience and ideas were tapped into and I felt validated. I felt like I was a vital part of the staff.
Everyone should feel this way. Communication within each school, parents, community, and with the central office would be an area that I believe would trickle down to benefit the learner. What do you think?

Successful Schools: From Research to Action Plans

This is the link to, "Successful Schools: From Research to Action Plans" by Willard R. Daggett, Ed.D.
President, International Center for Leadership in Education

What do you think of the article?

Did you know?

This is a video I found on http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2006/08/did-you-know.html
It stops and makes you think. As an educator, I do not feel that I am doing everything I should/can do to prepare my students for the future. Technology is limited by funding. Everyday I see where my students would benefit from being able to have constant access to a laptop.

This year every student in my class, with parental permission, created a Gmail account. Now children can create, save it though Google and work on it at home. Web 2.0 has amazing tools to enhance and engage students.

Last year, I was able to set up a computer for a child who had a lengthy illness. We used Skype to communicate on a daily basis. She was able to see and hear her classmates.

I believe that there are many useful tools on the Web. Parents and educational leaders need to look at this issue and help with looking at funding issues. It would be remarkable to have a parent group work on grant writing to purchase laptops for every child.

What issues concern or interst YOU???

Expectations for education

What are your expectations for education? As an educator and parent, I want the schools my child attends through his life to prepare him for the future. I want him to know all the possibilities that are out there for him. Teach him to know he is limited only by his imagination. Possibilities are endless when you are committed to reach a goal. It is important to set goals throughout your life, to change and modify them as time moves forward. I want teachers who are nurturing and sensitive to every students' needs. As a teacher, I want to work with dedicated group of teachers, who collaborate and work together exploring and sharing educational issues, practices, trends, and research.

I was interested in parent involvement and found an article that claims 86% of the general pubic believe that support from the parents is the best avenue to improve schools. I am not surprised. I think the heart of all schools lies within its parents. Parents can be a very powerful group when advocating for children.

Personal experience has shown me how powerful parental support is for the learning environment. Parents and teachers working together for a common goal (the child) is a powerful network.

What do you expect or want from education? Please identify your position-parent, educator, administrator.........

Gifted and Talented

I teach in a gifted and classroom. There are 33 children. My teaching partner and I have created learning groups to meet individual needs. We have a grade span from third to sixth. My vision of gifted and talented has changed over the last few years. I was an advocate of inclusion. However, my thoughts have changed due to my experiences. The benefits I have witnessed from children being together with a peer group are phenomenal. Instead of viewing themselves in a negative fashion, children see themselves fitting in and not being odd person out. I am thankful I work in a district that supports this model for the gifted and talented. We are not perfect. Money seems to be an issue no matter what kind of education is being discussed. I would like to know what others are doing to reach their gifted population. One problem that concerns the school district is the growth factor on the state test. It is very difficult to “move” gifted children. I would like to know what others are doing and if the growth factor concerns other schools.

Teachers, Principals, and Technology

Have you heard of Wordle, http://wordle.net/ ? It is a unique tool that can be used in several ways.

• brainstorming for writing
• descriptions of events (history, science)
• descriptions about oneself
• a list of what students already know about a topic
• list of what they want to know
• can you add on to the list????

The school district that I work in had an unusual situation occur at the end of last year. All children did not obtain the school of their choice. It was strange because my district promotes “school of choice.” Many students and parents were upset at not receiving their enrollment choice. The district is working on a plan that will facilitate enrollment procedures for the next year. As a parent, I worry about my child’s enrollment and securing a spot for his placement next year. I am an advocate of school of choice. Children have different learning needs and with schools choosing a variety of academic programs allow parents to find the niche their child will thrive in and be nurtured. However, I clearly understand the feelings of a parent whose child cannot acquire placement in a “home” school. It does not seem rational that one sibling can go to the school across the street, but there is not room for the other one. For more information about what the district has planned please go to http://www.natronaschools.org/
Does anyone have any suggestions? What is the enrollment practice in other districts and states? Please post a comment.