I am a Vice Principal, Teacher Librarian and Itinerant teacher in a dual stream school of over 400 students. My goal is to know everyone by name (students, teachers and support staff) as I am hoping that by knowing each person by name I can begin to develop a relationship with them.
I had a student in my office this morning. I know him by name but have yet to develop a relationship with him. I had been teaching a lesson in his classroom and eventually, due to his distracting behaviour for me and the students around him, had to ask him to leave. The brief discussion after was frustrating. He was upset, as was I and he felt very strongly that he had done nothing wrong. Rather than have the conversation that I felt was going nowhere invited him to my office during the break to discuss it further.
I have to give him credit because I didn't really think he would show up and had just begun to consider what to do if he hadn't.
We sat at a table and I was honest and told him how frustrated I was during our classtime together. I then asked him if he didn't think my reaction was right, what did he think was reasonable? What would he have done if he had been the teacher and someone had shown the same type of behavior? At what point would he have done something? He didn't have an answer, not because he was being defiant but because I don't think anyone had ever asked him the question before.
What are reasonable expectations? Its definitely worth the discussion.
Tuesday 10 September 2013
Monday 2 September 2013
Developing Relationships
Students will be entering my building, some for the first time, on Tuesday. What is going to make them want to come back on Wednesday? I think there is only one thing... the connection they have made with an adult in the building.
But that connection starts with me and my partner in administration with the staff members in our building. How do I make/continue to make connections and build relationships with them?
To begin, I prefer everyone on staff taking some time to establish group norms and develop a belief statement that can be applied to the whole building, just so we are all on the same page of the same book. I like to take the time to discuss potential issues and explore all avenues for potential solutions and provide opportunities for everyone to contribute. I think it is important for staff to know that I will not/can not solve all issues and their suggestions and ideas are important, valuable and worthwhile to problem solving.
I want to have an "open door" policy and plan to keep my office door open unless it needs to be closed. My office is situated near an exit door and I will see/hear many staff arrive and leave and hope to connect with as many as possible on a daily basis to "check in" to see how their day went. I want to celebrate their success and assist with difficulties. I hope that through these easy daily interactions I can express that I value and appreciate all that they do for students. We often set out to catch students "doing good" but what about our teachers who have really set up the opportunities and teaching that has allowed that to occur. I hope to be able to observe and recognise teachers "doing good" as well.
I will communicate as often as necessary to let teachers know how things are progressing with different activities, long-range plans and changes whether school or division wide. I want teachers to recognize that I am not only working for them but with them as well.
I hope that through shared leadership, teachers will recognize that I am an integral member of a team and the building we work in does not follow a triangular hierarchy but a round circle of collaboration.
But that connection starts with me and my partner in administration with the staff members in our building. How do I make/continue to make connections and build relationships with them?
To begin, I prefer everyone on staff taking some time to establish group norms and develop a belief statement that can be applied to the whole building, just so we are all on the same page of the same book. I like to take the time to discuss potential issues and explore all avenues for potential solutions and provide opportunities for everyone to contribute. I think it is important for staff to know that I will not/can not solve all issues and their suggestions and ideas are important, valuable and worthwhile to problem solving.
I want to have an "open door" policy and plan to keep my office door open unless it needs to be closed. My office is situated near an exit door and I will see/hear many staff arrive and leave and hope to connect with as many as possible on a daily basis to "check in" to see how their day went. I want to celebrate their success and assist with difficulties. I hope that through these easy daily interactions I can express that I value and appreciate all that they do for students. We often set out to catch students "doing good" but what about our teachers who have really set up the opportunities and teaching that has allowed that to occur. I hope to be able to observe and recognise teachers "doing good" as well.
I will communicate as often as necessary to let teachers know how things are progressing with different activities, long-range plans and changes whether school or division wide. I want teachers to recognize that I am not only working for them but with them as well.
I hope that through shared leadership, teachers will recognize that I am an integral member of a team and the building we work in does not follow a triangular hierarchy but a round circle of collaboration.
Monday 19 August 2013
What Do I Want?
The past week has been an interesting one as I begin to prepare for the upcoming school year. In more of a leadership position this fall I have had to take some time to really think about what I want, what kind of administrator do I want to be, what type of culture and belief system do I want developing in my building and how is all of this going to happen.
I want children to want to come to school because they never know what they might miss. I want students to go home at the end of the day and say something to the effect of "Guess what happened/we did at school today? It was so (insert positive adjective here)" I want to offer a safe, caring, respectful, inviting (and fun, who am I kidding...) learning environment where adults (me included), know the names of students and parents and something about them to begin developing positive relationships. I want to be part of a building that values relationships and open communication, collaboration and conversations, as well as curriculum content. I want to meet the needs of staff and students as well as address and prioritize the wants but more specifically help others address the difference. I want to influence and inspire others to read, investigate, question, discuss, listen and learn to be a better, more knowledgeable, more experienced, more skillful version of themselves.
I want children to want to come to school because they never know what they might miss. I want students to go home at the end of the day and say something to the effect of "Guess what happened/we did at school today? It was so (insert positive adjective here)" I want to offer a safe, caring, respectful, inviting (and fun, who am I kidding...) learning environment where adults (me included), know the names of students and parents and something about them to begin developing positive relationships. I want to be part of a building that values relationships and open communication, collaboration and conversations, as well as curriculum content. I want to meet the needs of staff and students as well as address and prioritize the wants but more specifically help others address the difference. I want to influence and inspire others to read, investigate, question, discuss, listen and learn to be a better, more knowledgeable, more experienced, more skillful version of themselves.
This will not occur easily or quickly. Conversations need to be had, discussions need to occur, relationships need to develop and time needs to pass and I am sure that in time I can readdress this topic as "What Do I Need?"
Friday 9 August 2013
Why I lead?
As the summer begins to wind down and I begin to think about school again I have begun to reflect on my beliefs, considered many questions, and have contemplated unpacking and setting up my office.
As I take on a new role as Vice Principal, continue taking classes towards my Master's Degree and my new involvement with #SAVMP I have begun to question what do I believe in?
My beliefs about teaching have certainly evolved in the past 18 years and more so since I have had children of my own. I believe children, all children have a natural curiosity to learn and it usually doesn't match what is required to be taught. I believe children have strengths which need to be identified, nurtured, and encouraged so that the strengths can help improve weaknesses. I believe that when students are given the opportunities to collaborate, investigate, explore, problem solve and be responsible and accountable for the learning they are doing they become more confident, involved life long learners. I believe that all learners bring something worthwhile "to the table" whether or not they know or even recognize their talents, abilities, skills and/or knowledge. I believe the process, the reflection and the learning about learning is more important than content. I believe that education is evolving and teachers need to evolve as well.
This is why I want to lead. I am excited about the possibilities that education and teaching have to offer. There are so many opportunities for students and teachers to learn together and from each other. I look forward to being part of an administration team that not only believes but encourages and nurtures communication, collaboration, mutual respect and a love for learning.
Thursday 16 May 2013
Over the past two months I have had the opportunity to work with some really great kids.
In one school, I worked with a small group of challenging grade 5 students. With low attendance and low literacy skills we tackled the topic of Heroes.
Presented like an inquiry project, we brainstormed definitions, types of heroes and decided to focus our efforts on one particular individual who inspired them all: Spencer West.
I was really inspired by this group of students as they brainstormed questions, some easily answered by Google and others that really required a lot of consideration such as: How does he describe himself? What helped him become the person he is? What inspires him?
These questions really made my students think, read and infer which are generally difficult skills. They watched videos, read newspaper articles, listened to me read excerpts from Spencer West's book: Standing Tall and struggled to answer their questions in a meaningful way. However, nothing excited them more than a tweet from Spencer and the possibility of Skyping with him. Together they created a prezi that summarized their work however, the skills they learned that can not necessarily be evaluated through a presentation (cooperation, communication, collaboration) were invaluable lessons.
<iframe src="http://prezi.com/embed/2a6e3778e11fee54435002ea59d700e3ec8ca970/?bgcolor=ffffff&lock_to_path=0&autoplay=0&autohide_ctrls=0&features=undefined&disabled_features=undefined" width="550" height="400" frameBorder="0"></iframe>
In one school, I worked with a small group of challenging grade 5 students. With low attendance and low literacy skills we tackled the topic of Heroes.
Presented like an inquiry project, we brainstormed definitions, types of heroes and decided to focus our efforts on one particular individual who inspired them all: Spencer West.
I was really inspired by this group of students as they brainstormed questions, some easily answered by Google and others that really required a lot of consideration such as: How does he describe himself? What helped him become the person he is? What inspires him?
These questions really made my students think, read and infer which are generally difficult skills. They watched videos, read newspaper articles, listened to me read excerpts from Spencer West's book: Standing Tall and struggled to answer their questions in a meaningful way. However, nothing excited them more than a tweet from Spencer and the possibility of Skyping with him. Together they created a prezi that summarized their work however, the skills they learned that can not necessarily be evaluated through a presentation (cooperation, communication, collaboration) were invaluable lessons.
<iframe src="http://prezi.com/embed/2a6e3778e11fee54435002ea59d700e3ec8ca970/?bgcolor=ffffff&lock_to_path=0&autoplay=0&autohide_ctrls=0&features=undefined&disabled_features=undefined" width="550" height="400" frameBorder="0"></iframe>
Friday 15 March 2013
A Really Good Day
I have been waiting 6 months to have a really good day and it wasn't one particular situation or event but rather a series of interactions and events that made this day REALLY GOOD! I had a student in the library looking for books prior to school starting and even while breakfast was being offered. HE was so intrigued with finding the perfect book he completely forgot to eat. I had a great conversation about heroes with some grade 5 students and they offered a perspective about heroes I had never considered before (powerful)! And then a great afternoon spent with primary classes who were literally running to catch me in the halls to show me what they had created after our St. Patrick's Day activity.... and THEN senior students asked if they could hang out in the library after school (of course). My really good day revolved around students and not around buying book (which I love!!!) or the administrative side of my job ( don't love as much) hmmm...something to think about.
Friday 15 February 2013
Birthday Party Extraordinaire
I am also a mom who really enjoys using my creative side to plan birthdays and birthday events. We just celebrated a 7th birthday in our home and with a big Indiana Jones fan in the house, the party could be nothing less, than mazes and obstacle courses, poisoned drinks and of course an antidote, lost coins, and of course a scary tunnel and cave where clues, prizes and candy could be found. I am not sure who had more fun; the kids or me!
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