CEDO 565 In Review

  Leadership continues to be what I have always thought it to be.  Even after looking at the different aspects of it as well as when looking at the challenges of it.  The main thing this course has brought to me is an amazing amount of respect.  Leaders must go through so many challenges and steps and most important communications.

    I have in no way changed the way I feel about taking an administration role in a school.  I will take more leadership roles in small groups, teams, and with other tasks.  But leading a large group does not seem to be my idea of fun.  I like my classroom and will do what it takes to keep it funded, functional, and educational.  If that means I need to step up and be a leader, I will most defiantly fill those shoes.  

     I do agree with the idea of improving from with in and that is why I will step up, but there are always outside factors that are important and necessary.  We will see where the state of WI goes with our education and the country.  The coming elections and rulings will be interesting, but not matter what.  I run my classroom, teach and care for the kids.  I lead a group of 20 every day.  I will continue to do this to the best of my ability.  

CEDO 565--Week 5

     Years two and three of the game just flew by!  I am continued to be amazed that even with this game all of the decisions that a school leader must make.  The "game" based on research of reality was very eye opening.  I found myself very frustrated with the "sinkers" of the staff.  The ones who just did not want to move and would continue to hinder progress.  Further, I found that just as in real life, the Super wants and needs to be included in all discussions and plans.  By excluding that person on even one steps puts your progress back many many steps.
     I also found myself as the game was played comparing the board and players with my coworkers and staff.  It is interesting how it can really be as simple as a few sinkers that stand out.  I also found that the social network knowledge of a staff can be so instrumental to leading.  Knowing who has influence over who and whose word can be trusted is a huge asset to any leader.  Often as is the case the secretary is a leader unintentionally.  They have all of the gossip and everyone, almost everyday, talks with them.  They can influence even if it is unintentional.
     The idea behind this game and the way it is played is an amazing teaching tool.  It really shows what it takes to be a leader of change while having consequences for actions that thankfully do not have consequences on the students.  It is a great way to learn and is safe for all parties.  I would have like to have more discussion with the moderator of the game to learn about my decisions and why they were not "a great choice."  But at the same time, in the real world--I would not be afforded that courtesy.
    Back to my big project of a moment--I have spent the past two weeks teaching how to use the technology for my assessments and have given two so far.  I did see in the first week a slight difference in paper-based assessment to tech. based.  This week may be a bit different.  The content of the assessment was a bit more challenging as well though.  Off to grade!

CEDO 565--The Big Game

   This week we spent some time playing a game that put us in the shoes of administrators trying to get their district to the next level of success.  It was difficult with many choices to make and order.  The thing that was always in the back of ones mind was the fact that everything we did costs "bits"' or money.  Our team spent a good number of bits to only find out that we did not get any return for.  We were trying to look back at what the district was in the past and were told we basically could not look at what the past.  Only at actions we have done.  It turns out that staff development was a great place to start.  Getting staff ready to work together via trainings was a great way to spend bits and earn bens.
   The work this week was basically figuring out what kind of work environment you work in.  Looking at the moral of your school is always hard, because though you see it one way,  not everyone will.  That makes things very hard there always seems to be that person who has something to complain about.
   It was also nice to work with a group and come up with a list of skills/abilities that a leader needs to have to create systemwide change.  The list is full of ideas that have floated around for the past 4 classes, but we complied them now into one place.  It was nice to see them all together.

Heres hoping that year 2 of the game is a bit more productive!

Week 3 CEDO 565

     So what was the cheese?  The cheese to me was the end result.  It takes a lot to get there and once you have what you were looking for it seems you do not need to keep looking.  But as everyone should know times change and there will always be a new end goal.  Deciding what the cheese was, was fun, but there really was a purpose to it.  Discover what type of person you are.  Do you sit and complain as things change around you, or do you go out and find the next big thing.  Change with the changes.  As one looks around their staff they are always able to see some of each.
     It was also interesting this week to look at what some think of the leaders that are coming up the ladder.  The Millennials are the new generation of leaders and some will find them soft, family people who have no problem taking direction.  As a member of the "M" I feel that there are some great leaders, but we are going to be a  different kind of leader.  We will lead with our skills and technology as well as our team member up-bringing.  
    We are looking at leadership and at the same time I am hours deep into my culminating project.  Assessments created and now it is time to take it to the kids!