Problem of Practice
This summer we have been busy getting ready to open the doors at Odessa Elementary School for the first time. Currently, our staff has been hired from ten different elementary schools in our district. Recently, we had our new school retreat where we spent four days getting to know each other and developing our Core Values for the new school. During this process, we came together as a staff and worked to create our own identity. As we prepare to begin the 2010-2011 school year, however, there are a lot more decisions to be made and discussions to be had. I have asked myself “How do we continue to establish our own Wildcat team?”. For the duration of the summer, there is a definite need to continue what we started at the retreat so we can be ready when school begins on August 16th. Between now and then, the classroom teachers are only allowed restricted access to the school and to the coaching team as we are working during regular hours to get the school physically ready. This problem is most important in my work as an educator at this time. In order to be successful in our first year as a new school, it is important for our staff to cooperate and to put our Core Values into practice. Again, the problem lies in how we are going to continue this process between now and the start of the school year.
Why is this a significant problem?
In his article, Jere Brophy sites the principles that drive effective instruction. The three principles that apply to our current needs at Odessa Elementary are a supportive climate, thoughtful discourse and cooperative learning. The teachers in this situation will be the year round instructional staff (media coach, literacy coach and technology coach) and the administration while the learners will be the classroom teachers. Together we are looking for a way to put these three effective teaching principles into practice. Why is it important to solve this problem? This problem matters because as educators, we have been given an important job of setting the culture of a brand new school. We have an entirely clean slate on which to start. Every year after this one will add to the foundation we have built. Most importantly, we have an opportunity to decide what is important to us as educators and see those beliefs carry over into our classrooms to drive student achievement. However, in order for this to happen, we need to find a way to continue to have important discussions and make necessary decisions. In the end, if we have been effective in building a supportive climate, facilitating thoughtful discourse and encouraging cooperative learning, our staff will become a cohesive team where each member has had his or her opinion heard and incorporated into our vision for Odessa Elementary.
Wow, that is quite a tall order for this school year. But, an exciting challenge to set the culture of a new school. I guess for your techquest could range from just finding 1 or 2 technologies to integrate all the way to creating the whole mantra of your technology department. Are you looking to keep this techquest pretty open for now or do you have a sense of how finite you want this to be yet?
ReplyDeleteGood question! I would like to keep it open but I envision it changing once students begin. I am thinking that our means of collaboration will change from making decisions about the school and our values to making decisions about how to best serve the kids. It is very exciting!
ReplyDeleteMary is right... this is a tall order! How exciting for you to be part of opening a brand new school. My pricipal put together surveys about the school, staff in general, classroom instruction, and herself. The children each took surveys and so did their parents. There was a survey for staff to take as well. She used the information and comments recieved to drive her this school year in making necessary changes to make parents/staff/and students more comfortable at our school. This may be something you might think about in creating your social and supportive climate in the new school.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very exciting time! As I student long ago, I was a freshman when they opened our high school. I remember a lot of surveys being sent home over the summer to both parents and students. They had 2 days for us to come and tour the building, then vote on class colors and mascot. Enough about my memory lane though...what type of technology will they be putting into your classroom? Will they have wireless access and teachers be given computers? This has made a huge difference for my staff. We all have laptops now and we are able to email constantly to get discussions going. I'm not sure, but something like a wiki may be useful in posting those core values. The staff an add and comment on them. It may even be something you can refer parents to as well so they know where you are coming from.
ReplyDeleteBuilding onto what the others have already posted - you might want to consider developing some sort of Professional Learning Community for your staff. Dina's idea of a wiki would provide your staff with a wonderful way to communicate and collaborate as you begin building onto what has already been accomplished during the team building events with respect to your new building's climate and culture. Surveys are helpful tools for gathering and evaluating stakeholder information - information what can be used to fuel the growth of the culture that the teaching staff is wanting to nurture. What an exciting time for you and your colleagues.
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