When they are in class, they may be falling asleep due to their living situations and circumstances. They are times when they are not engaged mentally. As an example, one student is consistently tired from not getting enough sleep the previous night because she is forced to get up at 3:00 a.m. to cross the Mexican border in order to be at school on time.
As a leader, I would invite to speak at my school community members to who have achieved their goals when facing similar struggles as our students. Perhaps have alumnus come to the school to share their experiences while attending our school and give advice on how to successfully complete the program. 5 things that I will do to make my school an increase learning opportunity
I would say that we all are aware of the impact of our choice of words. However, I think that at times we lapse and do not consider the impacts. Choice of words is something that everyone should work on, teachers and non-teachers. “Words can hurt or heal, What did yours do today?” This is a quote that I have in my classroom. Students see it everyday, and frequently I remind them of this quote.
A colleague who retired last year used various negative words with students. His choice of words was very astonishing to me. Examples of these words were: “bombs”, “your mother dropped you on your head that’s why you cannot learn anything”, and “stupid.” As a leader it would be my duty to “expose staff to cutting-edge ideas about how to be effective, involve staff in reading articles and books about effective practices, and stay informed about current research and theory regarding effective school.” (Waters, pg. 33). I would require staff to attend professional development about choice of words. I would also have them read How to Create a Culture of Achievement. We would meet once a week, talk about the reading and how they have been incorporating it in their classroom. I would also assign collegial partners to support and provide feedback to each other. I commit to the five things stated below to make my school choose words wisely.
References Fisher, Douglas, Nancy Frey, and Ian Pumpian. How to create a culture of achievement in your school and classroom. ASCD, 2012. Waters, T. "The Balanced Leadership Framework: Connection ... - Eric." 2007. <http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED544245.pdf> "Week 4 Culture - YouTube." 2015. 17 Feb. 2015 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgSk8Hdg3uc>
I believe that program practices and initiatives should be revisited and modified as needed because the current method of execution has not worked and these policies have remain the same for many years. There seems to be additional rules added every semester. Therefore, as a prospectus leader, I would modify these practices and discipline policies to ensure that my school is a “Do no Harm” environment. Schools go through experiences and are at times in need more work than others. My beliefs could be incorporated in our professional development as everyone shall know and implement not just my beliefs but theirs as well. As a community of learners, we could develop our “Do no Harm” belief and implement it uniformly. We could revisit it as needed during our daily meetings and share feedback with our community of learners. I would say that the concept of “first do no harm” is part of my school. Staff and students know to take care of our surroundings as well respect everyone. However, this concept is not posted anywhere in the school. Consequently, students frequently harm their surroundings. To make my school a positive, restorative place I plan on committing to do five things. First, I plan to have the principal provide a package of paper and box of pencils to teachers weekly. Second, extend breakfast hours as we currently stop breakfast service 15 minutes prior to the start of school. Next, If students are late, do not send them to the principal. Welcome them and have them join class. encourage them to get the missing information from a classmate or see teacher after class/school. Lastly, share figure 3.1, Sample Courtesy Policy from How to Create a Culture of Achievement with colleagues, and post it in my classroom. Fisher, Douglas, Nancy Frey, and Ian Pumpian. How to create a culture of achievement in your school and classroom. ASCD, 2012. References Fisher, Douglas, Nancy Frey, and Ian Pumpian. How to create a culture of achievement in your school and classroom. ASCD, 2012. Pumpian, Dr. Ian . "Week 3 Culture." YouTube. Alex Gonzalez, Feb 2005. Web. 07 Feb 2015. <http://youtu.be/iHpSXEQEwHE>. Part of our mission at my school is making feel everyone welcome, especially stakeholders as they play an important role in our school. Last year, a board member called, and whomever she talked to did not know her name. Consequently, she complained to the school leaders that staff did not know her name nor who she was. As a result, there was an email sent to all staff about it, and it emphasize the importance of knowing who the board members are and to address them by their name. As in any organization there are those who go above and beyond their duties; those who are passionate about what they do. Therefore, I believe these individuals could be more effectively welcomed. However, one should acknowledge every single individual that crosses our path not just at work, but perhaps where ever we are. The least we could do is be cordial, smile. In my classroom, I think that I welcome everyone. One of my many duties is to ring the break and lunch bell. I go outside my classroom and stand there, I greet students as they come in. When I have visitors, I smile at them if I am busy and cannot approach them or if they are just stopping by for a quick second. I have noticed that we do not welcome everyone equally, and not every staff member does it. It all starts with the leaders. They should model, enforce, and remind everyone of doing this task. The leaders tend to welcome the decision makers, such as board members. However, I rarely see that students are being acknowledge, and if they are, it is only a few. Teachers do not welcome board members, I have not seen this occur during my time with my school. During graduations, we tend to have a few board members and parents present, but we do not welcome them. It should be a task that we should all implement and practice on a regular basis. Therefore, if I was the leader I would model welcoming behavior, implement welcoming policies, and encourage every staff member to welcome every individual that steps in our school. I would model it by standing outside the main entrance and greeting every student who comes in. At graduations, I would welcome parents and spend some time talking with them, especially since parents are not involved in the school because we serve students who are over the age of eighteen. Moreover, I would go to every classroom to greet teachers and students, and wish them a good day. If I cannot make it to the classrooms, I would send an email wishing everyone a good day and thanking them for being in school. Lastly, I think I can do these tasks to improve the school’s current position on welcoming stakeholders. The five commitments that I shall implement and model to make my school a welcoming place are:
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Author: Jose MendozaEducation is what survives when what has been learned has being forgotten. ArchivesCategories |