Comments on: I just Need to be Concise: Leadership Day 2009

By: lthumann

lthumann — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:14:56 +0000

Carol, I think that if Craig had more colleagues like you in his building, things would be different.

I’m hoping, as I think you are too, that you will see changes in NJ in the next year or so in PD is implemented in our schools.

Thank you for your comments.

Lisa

By: Carol Arc

Carol Arc — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:30:06 +0000

First, I want to say that I wish I had your ambition and foresight in my early career days. I feel fortunate as a “21st Century educator” to have you and your colleagues as my educators opening doors to tremendous learning opportunities that I and many of us have not seen and may never see in our own school districts. As for Craig – it’s sad, and I think his mindset is a “development moment” that many administrators are having right now. And this can be for two reasons: 1. He just doesn’t get it.
2. His boss (Superintendent, Board)doesn’t get it and is not pushing for it either. If he was, then Craig would have to upgrade his 8-track to an IPod and “stop to read NJEA Review”.
This past year I was a member of the NJ21PLP cohort – Sheryl and Will are our hero’s and all the leaders. I had such a long road to travel to get my administrator to 1. understand it, 2. see a need for it, 3. approve it, or shut me up (I’m not sure which). In the year long PD, a percentage of groups began to fall apart due to lack of awareness, importance, support from administration. Ours was one of them (but we moved on).
There were, however, three school districts whose leaders were key players and it showed. I envied the staff and wanted to drink their lemonade. Like Craig, my administrator didn’t feel it or have the foresight or passion to live, breath and incorporate the emergence of technology, now. He had a chance to lead an amazing journey and he dropped the ball. Kudos to all who replied to this blog and are taking the ball and running with it. Kudos to all 21st Century advocates guiding us and educating us to move forward. Those with the vision and the passion to move forward, will find a way to succeed.

By: lthumann

lthumann — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:57:15 +0000

You know what Paul? You are right about just letting things happen naturally. I’ve only lived there a couple of months. I’m still getting to know him. The face that he’s in my driveway almost everyday with the kids doesn’t mean we have to talk about everything.

I’ll just let things progress naturally and share the things I have an interest in as the occasion arises. Thanks for pointing that out.

By: Paul Bogush

Paul Bogush — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:28:55 +0000

Whenever I spend a ton of time and try really hard to write a great blog post I might get one or two comments on it. Whenever I just let something rip and “be myself” the posts always get a ton of hits and comments. Sometimes my “greatest” lessons are the ones that I did not go into trying to make the greatest and when I really try to “teach” I kind of feel let down.

What if with the Craigs we all just tried to not try and convert them, but just share the stuff we do just like we would talk with someone about the grass and the kids…and then wait for the first question. You have a pretty electric personality and do some really cool things Lisa, at some point the guy will get struck by something you are doing and be curious about it.

Post has me reflecting on how I have interacted with the Craigs in my life…

By: lthumann

lthumann — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:17:00 +0000

Fair enough Paul.
I will try again with him. But I’ll tell him you said to try when he says he doesn’t want to hear about it.

By: Paul Bogush

Paul Bogush — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:31:17 +0000

Lisa,
Don’t judge a man by the size of his cell phone. Having come from one of “Craig’s” districts, you might be the very first person he might have come into contact with that is pushing tech. Throw him little bones at first. I am sure a lot of techies at first had a resistance to using tech in class at first.

By: lthumann

lthumann — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:37:10 +0000

Linda I am so happy to hear that the teachers were willing to come to the Summer Institute without pay. You provide stellar PD for them and I know you put a lot of time and hard work into developing your materials. Please keep doing what you are doing and I would love to see YOU share what works and doesn’t work more with other educators in a space like this or on Twitter and I know you have a lot to offer. I enjoy your feedback on my blog and I know others benefit from it as well.

I also agree with you about the embedded PD. We saw it happen in your building with Universal Design for Learning this year. The teacher we thought wouldn’t adapt, If I remember correctly, was most enthusiastic about what was to come next year.

So, what’s next for us?

By: Linda Epps

Linda Epps — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:57:26 +0000

Lisa, I forgot to address your question about professional improvement plans. I have requested that my teachers add technology professional development as one of their goals yearly. Doing this allows me to send them to technology professional development outside of district. One stipulation for attendance is turning keying. Teachers return to school, implement learning and then turnkey to their Small Learning Community or content teachers. This model has worked well. Again, teacher taking ownership of their learning.

By: Linda Epps

Linda Epps — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:49:50 +0000

As I read your post I have thought about the numerous technology professional developments I have employed in my school. As a technology coordinator, my primary role is to assist teachers with the integration of technology. I have tried many training models. I have had Tech Tusedays, after school and Tech Happy Hour, after school. Neither has been successful; key word, after school. The best PDs are when teachers are the training leaders. Teachers select the PD and thus take ownership of their learning. As the training leader teachers can show how the technology or tool has been used in the classroom.

Embedded sustained professional development is another effective model that has worked for my teachers, if teachers are asked to participate and not order to do so. It allows training to take place right in the classroom during the school day and teachers can see how the technology can be seamlessly integrated in the classroom.

For the last six summers I have held a Summer Institute for technology. Participants are teachers who integrate technology throughout the year. The participants are compensated for their time. This group is usually the training leaders during the school year without compensation. This summer the funds where cut. I was approached by one of the teachers who usually attends the Institute and asked if I would meet with her to share new learning. I sent out invites to other participants and to my surprise they all are willing to come to the trainings without pay. This is a perfect example of number two.

Another successful model is the use of prep time for training. My school is setup in Small Learning Communities and last year I piloted a few trainings during common planning time, which by the way is eighty minutes, what a success. I approached my principal about implementing this model for next year and she was on board. So I have been spending my summer planning for this undertaking. My goal is to have teachers do the training when possible.

I have to stop this post, because this is a topic close to my heart and a battle I have been fighting for a long time. I am not complaining because all of my administrators have been supportive. I will continue to plug at supporting my teachers where needed, with the support of professional like you. Thanks for all the support you have given me over the years.

Linda

By: lthumann

lthumann — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:06:44 +0000

Sue – it was great to connect with you at NJEA, then on Twitter and then have you join the discussion here. That’s what it’s all about – continuing the learning after the event is over. I’m glad you’ve joined us.