- Parent and Community Involvement
I believe this because: I have been a teacher for eight years now and I have witnessed first hand how parents’ actions and behaviors at their child’s school directly affects their child’s attitude about school. When I was growing up, my mom always participated at school and showed me that doing my best at school was the only way to succeed. She always pushed for a great attitude about learning as well as a great attitude towards my teachers.
Different ways that parents can be involved at their child’s school is: working in the classroom, making copies and laminating in the work room, fundraising, noon duty/safety
More importantly: I believe that projecting a positive attitude about school and learning in general is one of the best examples that a parent can give their child. .
Explain your example: Children develop their attitudes about different things based on how they see their parents act in different scenarios. Parents who are proactive and driven when it comes to school matters are giving their child a positive approach to emulate. Parents who help make copies for different classrooms in the work room show their child that volunteering is a great thing. Parents who show their teachers respect and don’t question them in front of their child are giving their child the message that teachers should be respected. Their positive attitude is observed by their child and is then transferred to the child.
Discipline and School Climate/Culture
I believe this because: I have worked with a principal who did not implement consequences when students misbehaved and it was clear that the strategies were not effective in correcting the undesirable behavior. Students would go to him because they had misbehaved in the classroom and when they arrived back in the classroom they talked about getting a cookie while they talk with the principal. The fact that students did not have respect for the principal or teachers set up a school culture that conveyed to the students that they could misbehave and nothing would be done. Students began talking back and disrespecting adults at school a lot more often and teacher morale went down.
Different things to consider: that contribute to school culture and discipline are parent involvement, stakeholder buy in, schoolwide implementation, and informing students of teacher, parent, and student responsibilities.
I would like to talk about: I believe that stakeholder buy in is one of the most important aspects of school culture and discipline plan.
Explain your example: Stakeholder buy in is extremely important for the successful implementation of a behavior plan and school culture. By stakeholders I mean, parents, teachers, administrators, and more importantly, students. All members who are affected by the school’s culture or behavior plan should be on board in order to ensure that everyone knows what part they play in the plan. This is important because everyone also needs to know when they need to act. If everyone has buy in and students are made aware of the expectations and consequences they are more likely to take ownership of the plan.
Technology
I believe that: technology is the pencil and paper of modern times and should be equitably available to all students regardless of their age.
I believe this because: I have witnessed first hand the positive impact that technology has made on my children and my students. Technology is, more and more, becoming a non negotiable. It should be introduced to school children as such. I have also witnessed that with the use of technology even you most reluctant readers or speakers will do better.
There are many aspects: of technology to consider when talking about something that is transforming education. Some of these topics are sustainability plan, money, fundraising, bonds, and budget cuts. Most of these topics are money related as technology is very expensive and every district must consider all options when developing a plan for technology.
More importantly: For a long time you could get by simply ignoring that technology was all around us but It is time to consider that it is becoming more and more a nonnegotiable. Today’s students must learn how to use technology and know how to type if they are going to stay competitive for the jobs of tomorrow. As the leaders in our schools and districts we must advocate for our youth and fight for their future in order to ensure that it is full of possibilities and skills that are competitive and up to date.
Curriculum and Instruction
I believe that: curriculum and instruction should be dynamic, custom designed, and ever changing.
I believe this because: curriculum and instruction cannot exist as they did before our time. Our times are different and our students are different. We have signed up to prepare them for a world that we cannot predict.
There are many factors: that influence curriculum and instruction. Some of these aspects are government politics, changes in standards that are used to guide instruction, changes in technology, and leadership at your school and district level.
More importantly: curriculum and instruction are influenced by changes in the standards that are mandated to teachers from the state or national level. These standards serve as a blueprint that guides teacher curriculum and instruction. Currently, the standards that have been implemented are so new that teachers are creating things as we go and keeping track in order to build our curriculum. It is going to take a while for all school districts to adopt and implement new curriculum in order to guide their teachers’ instruction.