Goal Setting

"Many people feel as if they're adrift in the world. They work hard, but they don't seem to get anywhere worthwhile."...Mind Tools

One reason people feel unsatisfied or that they do not have a purpose is because they have not set a goal. By setting what you want to achieve your efforts can be focused on attaining those goals.  

Setting goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation . It sets your focus, and helps you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the very most of your life.

Spend some time brainstorming  the things you want to accomplish. Each day we ask our students what their goal is for the year and for life. We, as teachers, should be able to answer the same questions.

As a district we set goals for our campus. We strategically set S.M.A.R.T goals to better our school. These are constantly reviewed and revised.  This method is perfect for personal goal setting as well. As we move into the T-TESS era in the State of Texas reflection and goal setting will become part of our daily lives. This process of goal setting will be beneficial to ourselves and our students, both on a personal and professional level. 

                                           

Differentiation:

Differentiation:

A standard of excellence means that each child makes at least a year’s growth in achievement no matter what their starting point for the school year.  That includes children that are way below or way above their actual grade level.

Why Differentiate?

• To maximize student’s potential, we have to attend to individual differences.
• Research shows students are more successful in school if we respond to readiness levels, interests,  and learning profiles.
• All students should show progress no matter what their level or where they begin.

What is Differentiation?

• Modifying the pace and level of instruction
• Incorporating flexible grouping    
• Varying the products of learning to reflect students’ best ways to learn

What to Differentiate?

Differentiating Content

• Using reading materials at varying readability levels
• Putting text materials on tape
• Using spelling or vocabulary lists at the readiness levels of the student
• Presenting ideas through auditory and visual means
• Using reading buddies
• Small group re-teaching of skills for struggling learners
• Extending the thinking or skills of advanced learners

Differentiating Process

• Developing personal agendas or task lists that include work for whole class and work that addresses individual needs
• Manipulatives or other supports for those who need them (different grouping methods, graphic organizers, maps, diagrams, charts, etc.)
• Varying length of time to complete a task

Differentiating Product

• Giving students options of how to express required learning
• Using rubrics that match and extend student’s varied skill levels
• Allowing students to work alone, in pairs or in small groups on their products
• Encouraging students to create their own product assignment that meets all required elements

Differentiating Environment

• The way in which students experience the classroom learning environment profoundly shapes how they experience learning.
• In positive classroom environments, students work together and collaborate.
• They display the characteristics of an effective team.
• They learn responsibility for themselves, for one another, and for class processes and routines. 

A Person's Actions

As we move through the world today, our social media presence is vital. Much of the time it is the way we make initial contact. Sometimes it is just a few words that get people’s attention or turn them away. Many of us have chosen a quote that defines who we are and what we stand for. And it makes an impression.

Then you hear or see something about that person that makes you questions their quote.

A careless face book post…

An inopportune instagram…

An unpleasant tweet...

In the world of social media, we are no longer alone. Our very move has the potential to be on display for the world to see. I say to all…be careful. What our Moms told us years ago is still true today…

actions speak louder than words.

How Important is Attendance?

Every year it seems to be harder and harder to have children attend school.  Whatever the reason, maybe some families do not find the importance of attending school especially in the early grades.

It is vital for our families to understand the importance of regular attendance. Not only does it impact the rating and monies the school receives in Texas, but, more importantly, it impacts students each and every day.

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.

We don’t want your child to fall behind in school and get discouraged. Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:

• Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.

• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

• Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are truly sick.

• Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.

• Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.

• Develop back up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.

By adhering to these simple plans a child's attendance can greatly improve. Schools  are striving to support parents and  children so that they can show up for school on time every day.

Please check out this website for more suggestions. 

Flipped Meetings....Are they right for your campus?

Faculty meetings are held for a variety of reasons…to share information, to discuss a new idea or to decide on a program. Because of the time of day we can all get together, many of these meetings are for information dissemination, but no resolution or consensus is made. Instead of spending time unproductively, why not flip the meeting and make it productive?

Flipped learning is an approached now being implemented by some classrooms.While it is a practice that has been around for ages, many teachers flip their classes by having students read text in advance, watch videos, or solve additional problems. But flipped learning is so much more.

According to FlipLearning Network, Flipped Learning is a pedagogical approach in which direct instruction moves from the group learning space to the individual learning space, and the resulting group space is transformed into a dynamic, interactive learning environment where the educator guides students as they apply concepts and engage creatively in the subject matter.

As shared by Stephanie McConnell, “often our meetings can be dry with the content of the information we are having to deliver.” A flipped meeting gives the teacher an opportunity to read, explore and reflect on the material so that the meeting is more engaging and productive. Even though our meeting will not looked exactly the same as a flipped lesson; what better way to introduce our teachers to an innovative teaching method? 

Flipped

Coaching Conversation: the Next Tool for a Principal

As principals there is always something new for us to do: a new form to use, a new program to implement, or a new system to carry out. Finally there is something on the horizon that administration can get excited about. Because the role of the principal is more encompassing, coaching has now become a part of our repertoire.  For many this is a return to why we started down this administration path. 

The primary role of the coach is to ask questions that are open-ended and promote cognition. Listening, probing for deeper meaning, and being non-judgmental are critical skills. Good coaching is built on a foundation of trust. It occurs when the coach creates a open, respectful and inviting setting.

Coaching cannot be forced. Good coaches share several traits. They . . .

• Enroll Teachers – Coaching cannot be see as punishment or as a requirement. Good coaches create a setting that welcomes teachers and in which teachers choose to participate.

• Identify Teacher Goals – A top-down approach rarely works. Good coaches help teachers identify goals for their work and support the teacher’s efforts to improve.

• Listen – Perhaps no other skill is as important as the ability to listen intently to those being coached. Good coaches create a setting where teachers feel comfortable, can be candid without fear of retribution, and are curious and inquisitive.

• Ask thoughtful Questions – Good coaches ask thoughtful, open-ended questions that promote reflection. They are interested in promoting teacher cognition rather than providing answers.

• Provide Feedback – Good coaches don’t provide feedback in the traditional sense. They don’t tell teachers what to do. But they are comfortable using data from an observation, or comments made by the teacher, to provide feedback. All feedback is precise and non-judgmental. Good coaches are always open to the teacher’s point-of-view. (Knight, 2011)

Coaching can be one of the most rewarding learning opportunities for both participants. So educational leaders: take this opportunity to reconnect with one of the reasons why we became administration….helping teachers grow. 

Change

The Important Practice of Self-Reflection....

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: 

first, by reflection, which is noblest; 

second, by imitation, which is easiest; and 

third, by experience, which is the most bitter.” ~ Confucius

As we come to an end for the 2014-2015 school year, we pause and reflect on the past accomplishments and defeats. We revisit and make self-recommendations to do better and to be better.

Reflection is a skill that must be taught. To reach a place of inner growth we must attain personal clarity through reflection. 

Don’t get distracted…keep with it….the benefits outweigh the effort.

• Get in the right state of mind and environment
• Ask the right questions
• Be 100% truthful
• Attain clarity: Analyze the situation by writing and coming to a solution
• Make a decision and commit to it

It is hard to look find those things that keep us from being the best us. But this is a process of bringing inner road-blocks or wishes to the light are one of the most important things to do for personal inner growth. It’s one of the best ways to attain clarity and by that immense power.

One Word...

Jon Gordon had written a wonderful book called One Word. In this book, he describes have one word that guides your life; one word that expresses who you are and who you strive to be.

Jon Gordon

Our team was tasked with giving "one word" that describes ourselves, something that drives us. I pondered this questions for a few days. Each time I thought  this is it, the word just didn't say enough. Jon Gordon states,  "The simple power of One Word is that it impacts all six dimensions of your life – mental, physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, and financial. "

Finally I found the word that describes the word that influences each aspect of my life; the one word that describes what I strive for "QUALITY". 

Mental:  Each task that I am given I try to complete with organization and thoroughness. I must be devoted to the task at hand.

Physical:  Don't think you must be strong to be physical, but you must try your best and give your all.

Emotional: I must be "all in" to be emotional vested. I must  be willing to bring my heart and soul.

Relational:  Every conversation I have or connection I make I try to give my undivided attention to that person. I want them to know at that moment this is what matters.

Spiritual: I make time for those spiritual moments. To be truly reflective, my thoughts and mind must be in that moment.

Financial: For must this is the easiest, the least involvement. However, to show financial quality I must be willing to sacrifice. 

"QUALITY" doesn't mean you know it all, but it means you will give your best at all times.

graphic from Residential Care

Spring Time...Testing Time

As the weather starts to thaw, schools are faced with the inevitable round of spring testing. And the conversation of test taking comes to the forefront of the educational scene.

What have the students learned? How much have the teachers taught them? Are they prepared to move on?

Whatever our personal opinion on high stakes testing is, we s educational professionals must do our due diligence in preparing students to succeed on whatever test they may be taking.

New Year...New Classroom

With the tradition of beginning the new year with  personal resolutions, why not consider making professional resolutions?

The beginning of the new year hold the opportunity to make changes in your classroom or school...why should you wait?

You have spent the first semester of the school year getting to know your students, what deficiencies they have and where they soar. The second semester of the year is a great time to put into place all the new learning you have gained.

So use this opportunity wisely...

Make the necessary changes to improve.