The Leader In Me

Last summer I read an article about a school implementing a program that had improved student ownership of their learning.  It was based on a book titled, The Leader in Me  by Stephen Covey.  Basically it involves teaching children the seven habits of effective people, habits that had been used by corporate executives for decades.

I checked the book out from the library and was hooked- we need this program!  When I brought it up at a staff meeting in September, another teacher mentioned her mother's school was also implementing this program and she agreed it sounded great.   The two of us were convinced we should find a way to to bring this program to Manor Elementary.   After meeting with the regional representative we were slightly discouraged- the training and licence fees would require a large  amount of fundraising.  Although we may not be able to do it school wide right now the two of us could begin implementing small parts in our own classrooms.  It was amazing! The students began noticing the characteristics in our read alouds and the habits became part of their vocabulary.  With a little more effort and training imagine what we could do.

Beaumont Elementary sponsored a Leadership Day in December. Erin, Jill and I attended the event to find out more.  WOW! The students completely ran the event. They showcased their incredible speaking skills in presentations to large groups, facilitated tours of the school, welcomed us into their classrooms and gladly showed us their data notebooks and other artifacts of their learning.  When the whole school participates the results are amazing.  We need this program!

We went back to school and were now on a mission.  How can we get our community behind this program when they don't fully understand- it was time to do some educating.  Erin put together some slides from the pictures we took at Beaumont's Leadership Day and we did a staff presentation.  Next we started writing grants and made sure our principal was signed up to attend a Leadership Day.  Soon we had almost all of our staff attending various Leadership Days and they were excited too.

While our principal was at an out of town conference she got the call.  We were being awarded enough grant money to make it happen!  Training would begin this summer.  INCREDIBLE!!!

New Beginnings

This past year has been a whirlwind.  Crazy but good.   So many new things, but that's the life of an educator- constant change.  As the year came to an end I thought about what I did well and what needs improvement.  One area that needs work is definitely writing.  I really need to step it up a notch.  If I want my students to become better writers then I need to become a better writer.  I ask them to write often- yet I don't do it myself.  So, today's the day I will begin to use this blog. I started it several years ago when I was taking a class. I thought about deleting those earlier posts but they are all part of my journey. 

I have so many things to write about, but I think I will start with technology use in the classroom and our journey to becoming a Leader in Me School.  My goal is mainly to reflect on my teaching, but if I can help others who begin this journey that would be a bonus.  I recently heard someone say, "Don't just be a consumer,  contribute to the community."   As I grow, I hope I can contribute more.

Thing 1- AGAIN!

Life got too busy so I didn't finish 23 Things during the winter session so here I am again. Hopefully in August, once summer school is over I will have lots of time to complete everything. You can see my previous post for Thing 1 below- it's still pretty much how I feel.

Thing 4

The video clips on the 21st Century were interesting. I downloaded a few of the slides to show my students. I think it is important that they realize the qualities that future employers are looking for. Change happens faster than the speed of light was what I took away from the experience- and I need to be open to it. One of my instructors did a power point that was very similiar to those we viewed- basically we are preparing students for jobs that don't exist yet and to work with technologies that haven't been created. Not an easy task but one that is doable- I need to teach my students to "think." I believe this quote sums it up pretty well- Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
~William Butler Yeats

If we can light the fire so students are interested in learning our job becomes much easier. Once someone has a passion to learn, they will do so- with or without us. Let's hope it is with us.

Thing 3

I have posted in yahoogroups. facebook, blackboard and other forums but I'm truly not certain if that is considered blogging. In my opinion it seems exactly the same thing- sharing ideas with others. However, this is the first time I actually have my own site, that I control. Kind of neat and I think I will enjoy using it on my own for reflection. The power of the internet is truly amazing. Now I just need to learn to search more efficiently so I can find the information and forums that I am interested in.

My concern remains the amount of time that I will spend typing and reading vs. the amount of time I spend with my family. Balance is important- and I struggle with it.

Enjoying the Journey

I can't wait to see how this turns out. I have so much to learn and am excited to do so. My biggest fear is the time I will spend away from my family reading blogs, etc. Sometimes I feel the computer screen is like a magic portal that sucks me in and when I come back out hours have passed in what seems like a matter of minutes.