Module 6---
1. As you explore the resources, reflect on the role teacher leaders can play in the strategies of engaging school community resources-
I believe that to community SHOULD be involved in the schools. Without the "community", there would be no need for the school because there would be no kids! Parents should want to know what is happened in their children's school and want to be a part of their education. Business owners also have kids in school and they should be willing to help out if they can. It's good for the school, kids, and positive advertisement never hurt anyone!
In our club at Blackshere Elementary, we had lots of different "teachers". Some were real teachers, some were college students, and some were even high school volunteers from North Marion. Each month, we had a family night. During these family nights, the Specials teachers and the Title 1 teachers would help us and we would have activities. One theme was Family Fitness. We had healthy smoothies and a healthy dinner supplied by a local cafe.
We had a basket bingo as a fund raiser and we asked local businesses and community members to sponsor a bag to raffle off. This was a huge success and we had a lot of places donate to us because they wanted their name to be associated with the Club. The Club also hosted a 5K in Fairmont where community member came out to run for a good cause. We also held evening activities at the Custard Stand in Mannington, and other locations where we sold lemonade.
**I found this article to be particular truthful regarding family involvement and education. During my time in the club, my favorite thing was when we took field trips! Parents were always invited and the kids loved it when they came too! It was fun to see the kids and parents interact in an environment that wasn't a school setting, like a hockey game or a trip to Valley Worlds of Fun.
Chapter 11: Discovering Opportunity
This chapter discusses different types of partnerships that schools can form, which provides an array of different opportunities to the school.
"By leveraging social media, leaders can share school and professional successes, build strategic partnerships, present work to a wide array of audiences, and discover authentic learning experiences for students and staff alike" (p. 186).
These partnerships allow high school students to come to college campuses, take students out of state for experiential learning, allow teachers and students to work with others located in different schools/ countries, and many other amazing opportunities that once did not exist.
Chapter 12: A Call to Action
This chapter is a call to action for all leaders to become more knowledgeable about society and make real world connections. It tells us that the job of a digital leader is not only to model the art or being connected, but also model the art of being unplugging the devices and having human interaction. "As important as technology is, and it is an important tool, so is our need to have human interaction, and digital leaders need to promote that too" (p. 190).
Digital leadership is about making schools fun, exciting, and stimulating while students are actively involved in learning both traditionally and through the use of educational technology. "This is digital leadership at its finest form: students using real-world tools to enhance learning, with the leader modeling appropriate and effective use every step of the way" (p. 187).
These two quotes sum it up perfectly for me. Finding that balance between technology and human interaction. It's tough to find that balance, but that is what being a digital leader is all about!
**I found this article to be particular truthful regarding family involvement and education. During my time in the club, my favorite thing was when we took field trips! Parents were always invited and the kids loved it when they came too! It was fun to see the kids and parents interact in an environment that wasn't a school setting, like a hockey game or a trip to Valley Worlds of Fun.
2. Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times-
Chapter 11: Discovering Opportunity
This chapter discusses different types of partnerships that schools can form, which provides an array of different opportunities to the school.
"By leveraging social media, leaders can share school and professional successes, build strategic partnerships, present work to a wide array of audiences, and discover authentic learning experiences for students and staff alike" (p. 186).
These partnerships allow high school students to come to college campuses, take students out of state for experiential learning, allow teachers and students to work with others located in different schools/ countries, and many other amazing opportunities that once did not exist.
Chapter 12: A Call to Action
This chapter is a call to action for all leaders to become more knowledgeable about society and make real world connections. It tells us that the job of a digital leader is not only to model the art or being connected, but also model the art of being unplugging the devices and having human interaction. "As important as technology is, and it is an important tool, so is our need to have human interaction, and digital leaders need to promote that too" (p. 190).
Digital leadership is about making schools fun, exciting, and stimulating while students are actively involved in learning both traditionally and through the use of educational technology. "This is digital leadership at its finest form: students using real-world tools to enhance learning, with the leader modeling appropriate and effective use every step of the way" (p. 187).
These two quotes sum it up perfectly for me. Finding that balance between technology and human interaction. It's tough to find that balance, but that is what being a digital leader is all about!
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteSupport from all stakeholders is a vital component to the success of the educational as well as the learner. Your points are "spot on" about who / whom "SHOULD" be involved because the results do not lie... when a close knit community supports their "learning community" the community is better as a whole.Neil Postman wrote a couple of very good books about education and his view from the " The End of Education" is a pretty good take on what the education system, as a whole, is dealing with right now. It's worth the read. Thanks for sharing your views with us this semester, have a great holiday season!
The Boys & Girls Club sounds great! I wonder who we could contact to have it in Harrison County? I think that it is vital for community members and parents to be involved in the area schools. I think it is wonderful that you have had so many different "teachers" involved in this club. A lot of students that attend my school have parents that own or work at local businesses so they are always doing something nice for the faculty or the students. It is always nice to work in a community that supports the students and the teachers.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of family fitness night with healthy food, recipes, classes and fun! These types of events can be so impactful to students and families. Great job! We had a Piloxing class at South after a Parent-Teacher Conference night which I heard was a success. Free and open to everyone. I was too exhausted to stick around, but hope to try it soon. Good ideas as usual, thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely important for the community to be invested and active in our schools because it promotes cooperation and learning. The Boys and Girls Club you worked with sounds like it does an excellent job of this. It definitely ties in with chapter 11 getting the community involved. I also like your quotes for chapter 12, it is very important to find that balance.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! I especially like the quote from pg. 187. "Students using real world tools, and leaders modeling" - we must continue to strive for this balance. I'm concerned teachers are so stressed over accountability, i.e., test scores, that some are losing sight of the power of engaging students with technology to lead students to higher level thinking. It's almost as if some teachers are afraid technology is not enough or it is something they lose control over. It is definitely a huge change for some in their mindset and habits.
ReplyDelete