ADIOS!

I have learned a great deal in this class. I enjoyed the class discussions and group activities. this course gave me a true insight on what is going to be expected as an administrator. The policy assignment was my favorite assignment. I just knew that I had all the answers. Ha! there are no right or wrong answers.

4/6 IIRC Data

I am so confused as to if I need another blog or not, I'm just going to do it.  (Dr. Closen, if you are reading this, know that I am saying to myself, "That's what you get for getting behind, Kristin!".  I'm pretty sure that the email you sent to us, towards the beginning of class, about keep blogging even if you are in sunny Florida, was indeed directed towards me. Uh-oh.  Anyway.....The IIRC data was confusing at times but I started to enjoy looking for trends, either up and down and trying to figure out what occurred during that time.  I still don't think I have the knowledge to always predict the cause but I was proud of myself for putting the data together and knowing that something did happen to cause the difference.  Like Anna, I am going to enjoy looking into other districts and checking their data.  I especially find it interesting when you come across a school with similar demographics, but different scores.  That would really keep me guessing!

3/20 Motivation

Alicia Sanders hit the nail on the head.  Rock Island has an awesome schedule.  The teachers and students come back rested and ready to tackle a new quarter.  Since my kids go to Rock Island schools they are off at the same time I am (which is sometimes not exactly restful, but very convenient) and the whole family can get away from the everyday routine.  Our superintendent has started a new program called W.I.T. awards.  "Whatever It Takes" awards are given out after a teacher, staff member, or even parent is nominated to the superintendent for going up and beyond in the name of education.  The super then goes to the school and presents the teacher with a W.I.T. teacher and makes a small "speech" as to why the person was nominated.  Some people laughed, but I thought it was very nice.  I loved hearing about what other people in my district are doing and really like nominating someone.  This is motivation. Something that doesn't cost a lot of money (cost of t-shirt), yet is competitive enough to mean a lot.  I applaud Mr. Loy for recognizing those teachers who are giving it their all and making a difference with our students!

3/17 Mentoring

I had a very bad experience as a beginning teacher and mentoring.  My mentor ended up being someone I could not trust, wanted me to clone her, not learn from her and gave me no positive feedback.  With all of this said I think I would actually make a good mentor.  Knowing what not to do can only make you better, right?  My first thoughts were to shy away from the entire idea but I'm too much of a people person to not be involved in what could be an excellent program.  I enjoy helping people.  By this I mean find their own way.  That's what makes me a good math teacher.  I don't think there is only one way to teach how to do a math problem.  There may be 10 different ways, and as long as the end result is that a student got the right answer following some method so be it.  For an example:  Attendance.  As a mentoring teacher I would explain the role attendance has at the school/office level (it's importance), show how I do it in my grade book, answer any questions, then let the new teacher see what works for them, following up on the idea in a few sessions.  Everyone does their "stuff" their way, and that's okay with me.  

End of class-

This has really been a great class. I learned so much and I am still thinking about all the stories and scenarios discussed. I know several of us have discussed class and feel that this was by far one of our best. The most beneficial element for me was that I can now relate to the administration and understand the reasoning behind some of their choices. I feel that the information given will help me in all aspects of my career even if I stay a teacher. I big thanks to Dr. Closen you have set us out with a ton of information that will be useful in our future endeavors, whatever they may be. :) 

Collective Bargaining

Did anyone else find this section interesting. I sure did, maybe because our contract is up this year and we have a whole new panel of members joining us. I found it interesting to understand what is right and what is wrong, just like the "black and white" situations. I have so enjoyed our cohort together, there is such a great comfort level for all of us now. Thanks to you all - Sanders This was a great class..... Wish I was golfing like Closen right now, but I will get back to finishing my research paper. LOL

What a class!

First, I would like to address Jay's nice comment about feeling so included in our cohort (thank you, Jay).  You were a great fit with "the group", and yeah, I would like to say that we represent the greater majority of the Rock Island-Milan School District---we work hard and like to laugh!  I am very happy with what we have done and the direction we are going as a district and am proud to say my own children attend the schools in Rock Island.  I used to be an advocate for black and white issues; however, since I have been attending the district Discipline Code update meetings, and have worked with our school attorney, I see that those days are gone.  It would appear that almost everything is a case by case decision and the entire world is gray.  It made me very uncomfortable at first, then I started to understand it more.  It is still hard for me to put it into words, but my take on the situation is that rules are made, teachers make sure they are taught, and if a student violates the rules we find out why before we dish out consequences.  Being on the side of extreme, here's an example:  A boy brings a knife to school.  Did he bring the knife to school because he went fishing the night before and wore the same pants to school the next day forgetting to take the knife out, or did he bring the knife to school to intentionally invoke harm to himself or someone else?  Should the student of one circumstance get the same consequence as the other?