EDU 638
My personal professional growth plan
Hi I am Casey and today I have decided to talk about
option 2. My personal professional
growth plan will evolve over a period of years.
I currently like my school and district, so I don’t see myself moving
away. If I do it would be to a close by school or university. I really believe that God has a path for
everyone and he will put you where he needs you. McCampbell (2001)
discusses the need for standards and technology to develop together. The main thing that I
really want to do is get my students to use technology for purposes other than
social media. Today all students need to
learn technology that they can use after high school.
Our school currently offers very little integration
with class content and technology. The
tools that I have been learning and gathering through Liberty will help me in
the next few years in our 1 to 1 transition.
Buczynski (2013)
looks at interesting topics that schools and teachers are facing and list pros
and cons of each situation. Technology
brings a lot of change for everyone in a school. Teachers have felt that they have to reinvent
the wheel because all the freedom a computer brings to a student. I have embraced the change and plan to use it
more for offering all students a supplement to traditional classroom
thoughts. I also hope that it can help
me differentiate learning and focus more on my IEP population and their needs.
The more our school
changes and develops in technology the need for a full time technology director
will emerge. Our school lost it Technology
Director two years ago and now has the director of grounds looking over
it. Indiana has cut a lot of school
money like the rest of the US. We will lose
an extra million dollars this year because of our high poverty rate. When I complete my degree from Liberty I am
hoping we will once again get a Technology Director. If not I would like to volunteer my services
to the district to assist on projects. I
have started blogging to pass information that I know to my peers. After I complete my second master’s degree
from Liberty, I will continue to learn though professional development and
associations. I would also like to go to
some technology conventions.
In that end I look
at Philippians 1:6 "For
I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will
perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Reference
Buczynski, S. (2013). Technology in schools. Choice,
50(10), 1895. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1365790840?accountid=12085
McCampbell, B. (2001). Technology standards for school
administrators. Principal Leadership, 1(9), 68-70. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/233342298?accountid=12085
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan House, 1984. Print.
Six elements that drive change
Hi, in this blog post I will be discussing Sheninger’s (2014) six elements that drive change. Sheninger (2014) talks about six secrets of change, which consists of: loving your employs, connecting peers with purpose, prevailing through building capacities, learning is the work, being transparent, especially when it comes to rules and policies, and having effective learned systems.
These are all very valid points in any leadership position. In order to grow and develop school district many elements have to fall in place. All of the secrets follow along with God’s word and can transpire to daily actions. Romans 15:2 says,
“Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification”. To me this means to help yourself and what you love you must be willing to help those around you.
One of the secrets to change is loving your employees. Those that feel needed and like to come to school feel appreciated. As teachers we don’t make a million dollars and we know that coming in. All we want is to be heard and know that others care about you and your work. We also spend a lot of home time on work. So when higher up positions plan meetings and events out of contract hours make sure that they are meaningful. Send out agendas let them know what is going on in advance. Also, when having professional development make sure that it is a need and relevant to what is going on in education or in the school district.
Tomlinson (2000) talks about the importance of knowing the difference between whole school versus small group development when educating peers. Make sure that topics fall into both categories. Data could help in this area. Survey your district and see what they feel that they need. If data from students suggest the need for something, then find the best approach that get the most info to teachers in an allocated time. This also ties in work and learning as an intertwined principle.
Districts should also be transparent with teachers and staff and that should be relevant in rules and policies. When teachers and staff know what to expect they suffer less resistance and confusion. When no regular rules or feeling of discussion exist in a school more sidebar discussion happens. This can cause the rumor mill to start moving. As the leader you need to run a tight ship one that allows for suggestions and openness and at the same time leads expectations and professionalism.
References
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan House, 1984. Print.
Sheninger, E. (2014). Digital Leadership. Changing Paradigms for Changing Times. (pp. 54 – 57). Thousand Oaks, CA. Corwin Publication.
Tomlinson, H. (2000). Managing professional development in schools. School Leadership& Management, 20(3), 392. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/218988902?accountid=12085
