I think my principal is a fine example of that. He is always open to listen to his teachers and give them the opportunity to put their ideas into action. When a teacher shows innovation in the classroom he is the first one to send an e-mail to the staff about the great work they are doing. This inspires our staff to want to do more.he is the first administrator I have had that I actually feel free to discuss my "crazy" ideas.(We actually purchased Wii's for the classroom). When I came to him about my CBL project he ask me what I needed him to do. I ask for class time for my TV production students and we worked out a schedule where I could meet with them 1 hour a week. He sends e-mails of support to the staff about the fine work our students are doing. Will the skills my students learn help them on standardize test. I don't know and frankly I don't care. Tv production skills will help students define who they are and maybe give them direction of a career goal. Which isn't that the purpose of education anyway.
Rule Number 6. It really isn't about test scores. The reality is test scores are more important to us that it is to our students. In Florida they tried to pass legislation where teacher raises were tied to test performance. It didn't passed - this time. Teachers get so frustrated that their students because they are not "getting it". To many times I have watch teachers in the classroom lecture students because they are not learning the skills and think that will reflect badly on the teacher on the test. They constantly they tell them they are not going to passed the test. However I have been on many job interviews and have yet had one perspective employer about my test scores. I haven't seen it on a job application yet either. And so they do pass the test. Does this mean they will be a viable member of society. I am sure there are many unemployed or homeless brillant people out there. So what do you really want to do make sure your students pass the test or inspire them to do great things.
PS. To all those English teachers who were frustrated with me because I didn't like to read.(My 6th grade teacher actually told my mom I couldn't read) I still think the Scarlett Letter is boring. I am reading this book however and I love it!
3 comments:
Ok I must first comment on the fact that you believe you don't like reading... I truly understand the ugly taste that 6th grade teacher left in your life, but look at who you've become in spite of her negative tongue!!! I would beg to differ on your thoughts of reading. Not all classics are great stories and you like what you like. You couldn't have gotten this far without liking something about reading even if it is to increase your knowledge, which by the way is a great reason... I am an English teacher and I know that you really love reading!!!
I can appreciate your warm thoughts about your principal because before I left the classroom I had that same great experience with my principal. Making difficult times a little bit easier! Not only was she open to my ideas, but would embrace them so that at least the students we touched would be impacted. It is good to know that there are higher ups who really make a contribution and are not just a title!!!
Keep reading and loving it!!!
What bothers me the most is that teachers can't teach to the test and there be a real measuring rod. With a measurable method such as if the students did better on the same test the took in the beginning and the same test at the end of the year, growth can be shared. I really don't think that teachers are holding some magic back and then once they say we will increase your pay if your scores go up then we use the magic pill to get the increase. Your principal being supportive is a really good thing. Having WII in the classroom show integration of technology.
I wish that all of us could have a principal like yours Louria. I feel that it can be difficult to find such a positive example of leadership. We teach teachers that positive reinforcement is the best avenue to creating a successful environment in our schools and classrooms, but this is often not the case. You are very lucky to have so supportive a principal. Being a leader anywhere is about setting an example and it seems that your principal understands this most essential of ideas.
On a different note, I am curious, which scores are used to evaluate teachers and how are they used? Our district recently changed the way in which teachers are evaluated to a percentage model and now 40% of our evaluation will be determined by the test. While this is not so different from many districts around the country, it is a substantial change. While I agree with you that no one really asks for test scores when you go to an interview, I do believe that they do ask for what your results are. If that is the case, how then can you show results minus the test?
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