Recently I have attended some school board meetings and I find that the members on the school board usually have an understanding about budget, finance and the physical operations of companies and businesses, but have no idea about education. I suggest that there be some teacher adviser positions which serve to give feedback on what happens in a classroom, school building and how whatever topic is being discussed would... more »
There is a need to create a PLC (Professional Learning Community)of veteran teachers who are able to provide novice teachers with the best practices to use when effectively communicating with parents in difficult situations. Although educators attend teacher prep programs to obtain the proper tools on becoming teachers, there is a lack of best strategies provided to these novice teachers on how they can effectively communicate... more »
The Good Force be with you!
Good leadership is teaching the students to be wise, just & lead many to righteousness while proper time management is right scheduling of subjects by conforming to God's plan which is Paradise Regained.
Live forever & prosper! Alleluia! Amen!
Our new teachers meet with instructional coaches for five seminars outside of the school day in their first year. This year, we incorporated what I call "Instructional Round Playground." This is how it works. We show our new teachers a portion of a Teaching Channel video. Then, as if we were taking part in an instructional round together, we focus on identifying examples of excellence in teaching. It's amazing what... more »
My work is in showing teachers how to listen to students through the new methodologies that are now in use so that the student can become leaders in their community.
As a math interventionist for the past five years, I’ve heard the struggles teachers have with meeting the needs of all their diverse learners especially their struggling learners. All teachers want to be effective in meeting the needs of their students, but they don’t know how outside the curriculum. With the increasing rigor of the Common Core, teachers need specialized math instruction training along with Professional... more »
How many started your first year and were hanging on by a thread? I have. The phrase "the 2nd year is better" or reading articles on "how to survive your first year" is created and used by veteran teachers. The traditional teacher development through college and alternative programs leave 1st year teachers unprepared to tackle all of the responsibilities of a teacher. Now add on the responsibility to relay content to... more »
In a growing multicultural and multilingual society the number of students with a second language will increase and teachers will need to become more effective and productive. Soon, the majority of teachers in USA will serve a member in their community (student or parent) who will speak a second language. My idea is to create a Coaching/ Mentoring Program for any teacher who serves in these communities. We will brainstorm... more »
This is a year-long residency experience and hybrid teacher role. Match a new special educator and paraprofessional with an experienced (preferably NBCT) mentor special educator (MSE) and trained paraprofessional (para) in a self-contained classroom. Have the MSE train the new educator; the para trains the new para. For the 1st marking period both teachers are in the classroom with both paras. She observes the new teacher,... more »
Holding writing workshops at the secondary level can be beneficial for students. This model is typically used at the elementary level, but systematic and structured mini lessons can potentially benefit secondary students as well. I have found that it not only inspires students and allows them to focus on foundational concepts of writing that are often overlooked during regular class time.
An article by Leigh Buchanan titled Between Venus and Mars: 7 Traits of True Leaders states control is a mirage (June 2013). Buchanan explains the most effective leaders right now--men and women--are those who embrace these traits: Empathy. Vulnerability. Humility. Inclusiveness. Generosity. Balance. Patience. There is a strong connection between these traits and my teaching style. My passion for bringing about change,... more »
Lesson study is an effective collaborative tool to build trusting relationships among colleagues, build knowledge through rich and meaningful discussions, and improve instructional practice through deep analysis of student work and needs. Grade-levels or content-area departments that struggle with deprivatizing their practice and tend to plan & teach in isolation will benefit from the structured and focused model of... more »
An image that comes to my mind when I ponder the idea of a teacher leader is an acrostic with the words lead and learn joining at the letter "A". It is important that we as educators continually learn and share ideas. When we continue our education we demonstrate a drive to be lifelong learners--in hopes that our students will become lifelong learners.
There are so many different ideas and opinions about how to improve schools, teaching, and learning. We hear from parents, educators, administrators, policy makers, and everyone who has access to a soapbox. The one voice we rarely hear is that of students. This idea is to institute a regular questioning process with students to gather insight into a school's progress, to collect new ideas for new directions, and to empower... more »
Teaching students to be leaders can help sustain a school-wide social emotional learning environment, (SEL) as well as a school site positive behavior intervention support program (PBIS). Developing Student Teacher Leadership Teams to aide in the implementation of the programs can help the student body take ownership of the concepts and processes. Research to support the importance of SEL and PBIS for children can be... more »