Setting Goals: Instrumental and Missional Thinking
Short term goals
1. Incorporate more STEM encompassing lessons.
This year has been huge for me learning more about how to implement technology into my classroom. My plan is to utilize a Universal Design approach and evaluate my curriculum. Where can I implement technology to foster student engagement? Where can technology be used to aid in student driven projects? Where can I integrate more design engineering objectives? In the next six months I would like to develop unit plans that incorporate all parts of STEM.
2. Encourage more teachers at my school to embrace and implement technological tools to enhance student engagement.
I am fortunate to work at a school that is rich in technology. I have presented to my teaching colleagues about the work I am doing in my MSUrbanSTEM program. I have included an “educational resources” tab to my website and have started posting tips and videos to help teachers. I would like to expand this part of my website and encourage teachers to have after-school, “tech play group” where we could explore technological tools and brainstorm ways how they can be implemented in the classroom.
Long term goals
1. Get my Math Endorsement.
Earning my Math Endorsement will help me incorporate STEM activities throughout my curriculum. Having a richer background of mathematical concepts will help me see connections with science which will help me develop and implement richer STEM experiences for students.
2. Focus my PD on STEM and STEAM activities.
I have gone to NSTA conferences but never a STEM or STEAM national conference. My goal is to attend a national conference as well as investigate more PD opportunities throughout the year that incorporate STEM and STEAM.
1. Incorporate more STEM encompassing lessons.
This year has been huge for me learning more about how to implement technology into my classroom. My plan is to utilize a Universal Design approach and evaluate my curriculum. Where can I implement technology to foster student engagement? Where can technology be used to aid in student driven projects? Where can I integrate more design engineering objectives? In the next six months I would like to develop unit plans that incorporate all parts of STEM.
2. Encourage more teachers at my school to embrace and implement technological tools to enhance student engagement.
I am fortunate to work at a school that is rich in technology. I have presented to my teaching colleagues about the work I am doing in my MSUrbanSTEM program. I have included an “educational resources” tab to my website and have started posting tips and videos to help teachers. I would like to expand this part of my website and encourage teachers to have after-school, “tech play group” where we could explore technological tools and brainstorm ways how they can be implemented in the classroom.
Long term goals
1. Get my Math Endorsement.
Earning my Math Endorsement will help me incorporate STEM activities throughout my curriculum. Having a richer background of mathematical concepts will help me see connections with science which will help me develop and implement richer STEM experiences for students.
2. Focus my PD on STEM and STEAM activities.
I have gone to NSTA conferences but never a STEM or STEAM national conference. My goal is to attend a national conference as well as investigate more PD opportunities throughout the year that incorporate STEM and STEAM.
Rocking the Boat
Task Zero, Review:
In reading, Rocking the boat: How to effect change without making trouble, I found much to think about. This book looks at employees who have made significant changes within their workplace ranging from personnel to company policies. Author Dr. Debra E. Meyerson calls these individuals, “Tempered Radicals”. The employees interviewed found themselves “at odds” with the general status quo either by their ideals, race, gender or sexual identity. All found ways to succeed and, in succeeding, made improvements within the company. However, change did not happen overnight. Small, incremental steps taken at the appropriate time were needed for these success stories. This can be frustrating to someone who wants instant gratification or resolution to frustrating issues. To be a “Tempered Radical”, one must know when to act and when to follow policy, which may seem hypocritical at times. Tempered Radicals know that a series of small changes can add up evolving into a shift in thought or policy.
While reading I kept thinking, “Great! Now how would this look in public education?”. Many of the constraints in Public Education are state mandates and policies that have little to do with the education of children. The case studies in this book dealt with companies where the President or other policy makers were accessible and could see the changes being made. I do not have that privilege (nor do I want it).
While there are many policies I cannot change, I do think of the following quote:
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
Maybe that is what being a Tempered Radical is after all.
Task One, How am I different?
I am different in that I am female and Education is my 2nd career. I am one of the oldest teachers in my building with most of my teaching colleagues in the Junior High Building having less than 7 years of teaching. This creates a difference that I have never noticed before. I have a different perspective that comes from experience, life as well as career. At times I have felt that my opinion has been dismissed because, “that is the old way of doing things.” Having taught 19 years you see teaching practices change, modify, and stay the same but only with a new name!
I became a Radiologic Technologist before I sought teaching as a career. I worked the evening and night shifts at the only class one Trauma Facility between Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. Having working experience outside of education has helped shaped me as an employee and makes me different. Furthermore having experience in a trauma environment makes me different.
Task Two, Becoming a Tempered Radical:
I see myself in many places on the Tempered Radical continuum that Dr. Meyerson uses. I turn personal threats into opportunities. I seek out ways to educate myself (like the MSUrbanSTEM program) even though the thought of teacher cutbacks loom. I use small wins in my classroom to help me drive change within my grade level. For example, I began using Google Classroom this year and have shown it to my other teaching colleagues. They are now beginning to use this valuable tool! This may seem like a small step but my goal is to have the entire 7th and 8th grade utilizing this digital tool which will change how my students utilize technology in our classrooms.
I see myself continuing to leverage the small wins in my classroom and use them to organize teachers within my school to improve their digital knowledge. Improving how my teachers use technology will drive change in my school impacting all students! I realize that this will take some time however I feel that time will be well spent. I am fortunate that my administrators find value in what I have to offer the school and my plan is to continue to use their support to organize collective action for TPACK in all grade levels.
Task Three, Facing Challenges:
Dr. Meyers describes four levels of challenges; the difficluties of ambivalence, lures of co-optation, fear of damaging their reputation, and frustration and burnout. (p. 144).
I always feel guilty - either as a teacher or as a mom. I feel that I am not doing enough for my students or I am not doing enough for my family. To help with this challenge I try to be productive as possible at school so I can optimize my time with family.
A major challenge for me is frustration and burnout. I love sharing my ideas but get frustrated when people don’t try new teaching strategies or technologies. Even though I have taught for 19 years, I still have knowledge to share and knowledge to learn. To help me deal with this challenge I have created support systems with through my family, friends and a few teachers in my building. They provide an ear to listen and advice when asked.
I also get frustrated with the state of education as a whole. I feel there is a general “anti-teacher” sentiment right now in America where we have been portrayed in a negative light. I find it hard to go to work at times after reading the opinion pages of the local paper. How have I dealt with this challenge; I have chosen to read only parts of the paper!
References:
Meyerson, D. E. (2008). Rocking the boat: How to effect change without making trouble. Harvard Business Press.
In reading, Rocking the boat: How to effect change without making trouble, I found much to think about. This book looks at employees who have made significant changes within their workplace ranging from personnel to company policies. Author Dr. Debra E. Meyerson calls these individuals, “Tempered Radicals”. The employees interviewed found themselves “at odds” with the general status quo either by their ideals, race, gender or sexual identity. All found ways to succeed and, in succeeding, made improvements within the company. However, change did not happen overnight. Small, incremental steps taken at the appropriate time were needed for these success stories. This can be frustrating to someone who wants instant gratification or resolution to frustrating issues. To be a “Tempered Radical”, one must know when to act and when to follow policy, which may seem hypocritical at times. Tempered Radicals know that a series of small changes can add up evolving into a shift in thought or policy.
While reading I kept thinking, “Great! Now how would this look in public education?”. Many of the constraints in Public Education are state mandates and policies that have little to do with the education of children. The case studies in this book dealt with companies where the President or other policy makers were accessible and could see the changes being made. I do not have that privilege (nor do I want it).
While there are many policies I cannot change, I do think of the following quote:
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
-Theodore Roosevelt
Maybe that is what being a Tempered Radical is after all.
Task One, How am I different?
I am different in that I am female and Education is my 2nd career. I am one of the oldest teachers in my building with most of my teaching colleagues in the Junior High Building having less than 7 years of teaching. This creates a difference that I have never noticed before. I have a different perspective that comes from experience, life as well as career. At times I have felt that my opinion has been dismissed because, “that is the old way of doing things.” Having taught 19 years you see teaching practices change, modify, and stay the same but only with a new name!
I became a Radiologic Technologist before I sought teaching as a career. I worked the evening and night shifts at the only class one Trauma Facility between Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. Having working experience outside of education has helped shaped me as an employee and makes me different. Furthermore having experience in a trauma environment makes me different.
Task Two, Becoming a Tempered Radical:
I see myself in many places on the Tempered Radical continuum that Dr. Meyerson uses. I turn personal threats into opportunities. I seek out ways to educate myself (like the MSUrbanSTEM program) even though the thought of teacher cutbacks loom. I use small wins in my classroom to help me drive change within my grade level. For example, I began using Google Classroom this year and have shown it to my other teaching colleagues. They are now beginning to use this valuable tool! This may seem like a small step but my goal is to have the entire 7th and 8th grade utilizing this digital tool which will change how my students utilize technology in our classrooms.
I see myself continuing to leverage the small wins in my classroom and use them to organize teachers within my school to improve their digital knowledge. Improving how my teachers use technology will drive change in my school impacting all students! I realize that this will take some time however I feel that time will be well spent. I am fortunate that my administrators find value in what I have to offer the school and my plan is to continue to use their support to organize collective action for TPACK in all grade levels.
Task Three, Facing Challenges:
Dr. Meyers describes four levels of challenges; the difficluties of ambivalence, lures of co-optation, fear of damaging their reputation, and frustration and burnout. (p. 144).
I always feel guilty - either as a teacher or as a mom. I feel that I am not doing enough for my students or I am not doing enough for my family. To help with this challenge I try to be productive as possible at school so I can optimize my time with family.
A major challenge for me is frustration and burnout. I love sharing my ideas but get frustrated when people don’t try new teaching strategies or technologies. Even though I have taught for 19 years, I still have knowledge to share and knowledge to learn. To help me deal with this challenge I have created support systems with through my family, friends and a few teachers in my building. They provide an ear to listen and advice when asked.
I also get frustrated with the state of education as a whole. I feel there is a general “anti-teacher” sentiment right now in America where we have been portrayed in a negative light. I find it hard to go to work at times after reading the opinion pages of the local paper. How have I dealt with this challenge; I have chosen to read only parts of the paper!
References:
Meyerson, D. E. (2008). Rocking the boat: How to effect change without making trouble. Harvard Business Press.
Where am I now?
This assignment challenged me to find items in the room I was in and connect them to leadership. I feel that my current mood (see Spring page) colored this assignment.
Leadership requires one to invite people to sit and share ideas. Create a warm environment so people can express their creativity and inventiveness. Leaders strive to prevent isolation and acknowledge that people can be fragile. Leadership is an art that creates a masterpiece!
I blended 2 parts of the assignment into a description that is chunked into the designated photos.
Leadership requires one to invite people to sit and share ideas. Create a warm environment so people can express their creativity and inventiveness. Leaders strive to prevent isolation and acknowledge that people can be fragile. Leadership is an art that creates a masterpiece!
I blended 2 parts of the assignment into a description that is chunked into the designated photos.
The Next 5 Years
At the beginning of 2016 I set short term and long term goals for myself. They are as follows.
Short term goals
1. Incorporate more STEM encompassing lessons.
2. Encourage more teachers at my school to embrace and implement technological tools to enhance student engagement.
Long term goals
1. Get my Math Endorsement.
2. Focus my PD on STEM and STEAM activities.
I am looking to anticipate change in science instruction as a whole. With the Next Generation of Science Standards (NGSS) in place with new performance descriptors published I realize that science instruction will evolve. This evolution will include STEM. Earning my Math Endorsement will help me incorporate STEM activities throughout my curriculum. Having a richer background of mathematical concepts will help me see connections with science which will help me develop and implement richer STEM experiences for students. Going to STEM/STEAM national conferences will also aid in evolving science instruction in my classroom.
What will aid this shift in science instruction is information on brain based learning. Our students this Spring competed in Khan Academy’s Learnstorm competition. Within this math competition there were interesting mini-lessons dealing with how the brain learns. I am seeking resources on this topic to help me understand more about learning. Once I know more about how the brain learns, this new knowledge will aid in lesson choice.
The diversity measure of my network has changed (by around 50 people) just by experience this amazing MSUrbanSTEM program! The people I have met this year have challenged me professionally and personally to grow in so many great ways. I wish to continue expanding this diversity by reaching out to colleagues in my school and district. I plan on writing a proposal for Googlepalooza 2016 where a teacher colleague and I will present implementing Google Classroom. I plan on encouraging teachers at my school to have after-school, “tech play group” where we could explore technological tools and brainstorm ways how they can be implemented in the classroom.
I feel that I must abandon past inadequacies. I always feel that I am not, “good enough”; that my have my achievements are due to luck or good fortune. I need to abandon this notion and have the confidence to realize that I matter in the classroom. My ideas have worth and make a difference! Of course, this is easier said than done, feelings of inadequacy sneak in on a daily basis. I must explore ways to abandon these feelings and have confidence in my experience.
Short term goals
1. Incorporate more STEM encompassing lessons.
2. Encourage more teachers at my school to embrace and implement technological tools to enhance student engagement.
Long term goals
1. Get my Math Endorsement.
2. Focus my PD on STEM and STEAM activities.
I am looking to anticipate change in science instruction as a whole. With the Next Generation of Science Standards (NGSS) in place with new performance descriptors published I realize that science instruction will evolve. This evolution will include STEM. Earning my Math Endorsement will help me incorporate STEM activities throughout my curriculum. Having a richer background of mathematical concepts will help me see connections with science which will help me develop and implement richer STEM experiences for students. Going to STEM/STEAM national conferences will also aid in evolving science instruction in my classroom.
What will aid this shift in science instruction is information on brain based learning. Our students this Spring competed in Khan Academy’s Learnstorm competition. Within this math competition there were interesting mini-lessons dealing with how the brain learns. I am seeking resources on this topic to help me understand more about learning. Once I know more about how the brain learns, this new knowledge will aid in lesson choice.
The diversity measure of my network has changed (by around 50 people) just by experience this amazing MSUrbanSTEM program! The people I have met this year have challenged me professionally and personally to grow in so many great ways. I wish to continue expanding this diversity by reaching out to colleagues in my school and district. I plan on writing a proposal for Googlepalooza 2016 where a teacher colleague and I will present implementing Google Classroom. I plan on encouraging teachers at my school to have after-school, “tech play group” where we could explore technological tools and brainstorm ways how they can be implemented in the classroom.
I feel that I must abandon past inadequacies. I always feel that I am not, “good enough”; that my have my achievements are due to luck or good fortune. I need to abandon this notion and have the confidence to realize that I matter in the classroom. My ideas have worth and make a difference! Of course, this is easier said than done, feelings of inadequacy sneak in on a daily basis. I must explore ways to abandon these feelings and have confidence in my experience.