Tier 1 Master's Degree

When I first began teaching, we administered common assessments periodically and used that data to drive future instruction. When the change of leadership twice in 4 years, things are drastically change. The "benchmark" testing we previously prepared our students for was issued by the district. Yes, there were many issues with the testing but they still worked in finding deficits for us to pay attention to. The district has taken them off the table and now provides us with a fall, winter, and spring assessment (MAP Test). Teachers use the MAP for data but it only gives three measures throughout the year. Principals I have spoken to throughout this program have told me that their school creates their own common assessments and use the data to drive instruction and improvements. I have created my own weekly assessment I use to plan from week to week.  I create questions similar to those on the standard assessments. I often sees students make great gains and some who struggle ...

Being part of the school community is one thing I really enjoy doing. I live in close proximity to my school district so traveling there is no problem. I do not see my students in my immediate community but seeing them in their community is priceless. I take my children to the gym, baseball and soccer fields, and other community venues to see my students in action. My students adore my children and hang around me as if I'm a celebrity. I do not do this to feel better about myself. I do it because the kids enjoy it. I enjoy watching them in action and making connections with them. We interestingly have something else to talk about other than math! My favorite thing to do is host karaoke for them. I love to admit that I am a karaoke fanatic! I eventually bought my own equipment and now you can find me at end-of-the-year parties and pool parties over the summer. I have hosted birthday parties for my students and recently have branched out to host parties for other schools. I have ...

The GELS standards have become my best friends these days. I never knew eight leadership standards can take hold of your life like these have!  Creating questions for each standard has really opened my eyes to vocabulary and how extensive the job of a leader will be. Also, having the chance to hear how different leaders incorporate them into their school.  Three of the interviewees are transfers from Gwinnett County. In Gwinnett County, all three mentioned how their expectations were specifically drawn out and you must adhere to all processes and procedures accordingly. There was not room for leeway. This is a commendable and respected approach. It speaks volumes for all levels of leadership. Gwinnett is not a stagnant organization. They continue to grow in their educational endeavors. They are a well-structured entity. Since moving to DeKalb County, the three interviewees have more autonomy to carry out their own unique vision. They are proactive in pursuing resour...

How is it possible for things to get done in a school if no one is responsible for it? The usual committees at my school have disappeared over the last two years. I was in charge of two committees but everyone just stopped coming to the meetings. The principal was made aware of the situation but, still, nothing was done. How can I make teachers attend a meeting if the principal doesn't require them to? Since all other committees folded, my group members just decided to drop out. We did have a change in leadership and she did not establish a committee schedule but what is already in place should not change, or does it? I just don't like seeing my colleagues lose interest in our organization. I can see how leadership plays a huge role in accomplishing the vision of a school. Establishing a vision and setting expectations is the start to something better but no vision and no expectations really damage the school environment. Teachers all filled out an input survey in February. ...

Today I had the honor of joining our principal in a meeting with two pastors from a local church just down the street from our school. The church partners with us in providing school supplies for students in need, as well as providing food for our children in need over the weekend but today we met to address feeding our children over the summer. One of the pastors showed us around their food pantry and we discussed the needs of our families from our school. I was impressed that the food within the pantry was stocked with food from various cultures so it could meet the diverse needs of our community. We brainstormed ways to deliver food and compile a list of needs for the families so people within the church can begin to bring donations. I am in the process of compiling a list of children, addresses and needs- this is thrilling! On our way out of the building, the pastor stopped at a library the church has had for many years. He shared that the library is never used and that h...

This morning I received an email from our principal containing the data from our District Assessments for Q4 county-wide. The data was displayed through graphs, distributed by grade level and compared the percent of children scoring at the proficient range to our free and reduced lunch percentage. While our school has many things to celebrate, we clearly also have area of growth. As I compare data grade level to grade level, I think of instructional trends I've seen in place by grade level. Our 4th grade students knocked it out of the park and coincidently, or not, this was the grade level which began implementing project based learning and uses the most technology within their classrooms. Conversely, the grade levels that underperformed had teachers who never unpacked their Mimios and do not use technology in their classrooms other than as entertainment for students. Because the use of technology and innovative teaching strategies is a large push for our school in the upcoming...

As I filled my shopping cart with food for my family my mind drifted to the children who our administrative team delivered food to just three weeks ago. I wondered if they had enough to eat. I have witnessed them taking food from our Share Table in the cafeteria, taking home bags of food on Fridays so they have food over the weekend, and even taking food from other people because they are hungry. During the school year I know that we can care for them, provide them at least two meals per day and give them food to take home but during the summer.....what happens then? There are federal programs in place that offer locations where parents can take children to have two meals per day over the summer. But, speaking from experience and talking with school administration, the children rarely come because transportation to these sites is not possible for the families. Those few who do come walk 30-45 minutes to get to school and 30-45 minutes back on busy roads without sidewalks with tin...