Time to learn how to advocate! One of the things I really appreciate about this conference is the manner in which the workshops are structured. Yesterday a lot of information was presented about federal policy around education. It was very interesting and important, but most of us are not on a full time release as the State Teacher of the Year, and we will be balancing our teaching responsibilities with our responsibilities in this position. What can WE do to influence policy at the federal, state, district, or building level? And, how do we go about doing that?
The National Network of State Teachers of the Year, in conjunction with the Hope Street Group, ran an effective and stimulating workshop today which gave us a structure for being an advocate for a change at any level. We got into groups, did research on an issue, collected data, formed a proposal, and two members of the group presented our proposal to a (pretend) State Board of Education. (Sound like engaging learning to anyone?) It was a great exercise, and this training will assist me in any advocacy work I am able to do this year, particularly around teacher leadership.
All of the topics that the groups focused on today were of interest to me. One group looked at career continuums, and one advocated for a distributed leadership model. My group focused on one step to professionalizing teaching: developing consensus around guiding principles.
On a lighter note, "down time" in Scottsdale has been spent visiting with colleagues from other states. I have especially enjoyed connecting with two fellow Expeditionary Learning Teachers, one from Minnesota and one from DC (pictured with me), as well as the Teachers of the Year from New England. Both groups are planning to stay connected and help one another.
Thank you, Windsor-7 students, for staying focused this past week. While you enjoy a relaxing Saturday, I will continue to work all day tomorrow. See you Monday morning!!!
The National Network of State Teachers of the Year, in conjunction with the Hope Street Group, ran an effective and stimulating workshop today which gave us a structure for being an advocate for a change at any level. We got into groups, did research on an issue, collected data, formed a proposal, and two members of the group presented our proposal to a (pretend) State Board of Education. (Sound like engaging learning to anyone?) It was a great exercise, and this training will assist me in any advocacy work I am able to do this year, particularly around teacher leadership.
All of the topics that the groups focused on today were of interest to me. One group looked at career continuums, and one advocated for a distributed leadership model. My group focused on one step to professionalizing teaching: developing consensus around guiding principles.
On a lighter note, "down time" in Scottsdale has been spent visiting with colleagues from other states. I have especially enjoyed connecting with two fellow Expeditionary Learning Teachers, one from Minnesota and one from DC (pictured with me), as well as the Teachers of the Year from New England. Both groups are planning to stay connected and help one another.
Thank you, Windsor-7 students, for staying focused this past week. While you enjoy a relaxing Saturday, I will continue to work all day tomorrow. See you Monday morning!!!