Culturally Proficient Leadership: Emerging thoughts

After completing the book Culturally Proficient Leadership and being part of our class discussion last Wednesday, I am most interested with how poverty and socioeconomic differences can become excuses for underachievement.  Many teachers still believe that these social class issues are the reason students are not performing.  I was inspired by Joel's closing remarks regarding finding the courage to stand up to the toxic voices that constantly want to place blame.  Those teacher needs to reexamine how best practices help students learn. 

When the conversation came up about how the VUSD district allows students to attend a school outside their neighborhood boundaries, I questioned why that is such a hot topic for me as an educator. Here are my thoughts:

 Last year my math team and I went to a 5th grade classroom to meet the incoming 6th graders.  When we told the students that we were from Rancho Minerva Middle School many of them said, "My mom said I'm not going there.  I'm going to Madison".  Senarios like this happen over and over again.  My concern is for the students who do come to RMMS.  How does this toxic message make them feel about their school?  People within the community hear this message and begin to feel the same way about RMMS and that the students who attend there are limited by their socioeconomic status.  I want to change the way our school and its students are viewed and I think the first step is requiring students to attend their neighborhood school instead of their school of choice.  This would create diverse populations among all Vista campuses and begin to change the way students and the community view their schools.  

Project Tomorrow

Issue:  Lack of open internet access at school sites for teachers and students.
Reason:  Firewalls imposed by the district

Teachers and students alike are finding that 21st century learning opportunities are not available to students within the VUSD due to firewalls being installed on all classroom, teacher, and administrative computers.  Instead of blocking access to information and "policing" what students and teachers can use to enhance the learning experience for students, schools should teach internet responsibility. 

From the website projecttomorrow.org pre-service teachers were surveyed regarding their level of expertise at bringing current technology to schools.  Pre-service teachers feel that the universities are preparing them to use technology in lesson development, but once placed in schools pre-service teachers are unable to use best practices because of district guidelines regarding the use of technology.   

"Just visiting right now"

In the video on visiting or residing on the internet, it was easy for me to identify my current status.   I am difinitely an internet visitor.  Although I must admit that after just the few sessions we have had regarding integrating technology into our presence as educators, I have become intrigued by how the internet can work for me.

I had always thought of the internet as a place to get information.  I think of it as a technological toolbox allowing me to gather information I need without leaving any trace of my presence.  I like the idea of being private with my interests and never saw a purpose for posting my life for all to see.  That feeling hasn't changed, but I do want to explore how to use the internet to promote my educational agenda.  Moving my presence on the internet from "academic and technological skills" to "culture and motivation" will be a future goal. 

I come from a generation of internet visitors or digital immigrants (as they have been called).  I am a linear thinker so the idea of stimuli coming at me from multiple sources seems somewhat overwhelming.  Needless to say I held out on purchasing a Kindle.  One of my favorite things to do is to go to the bookstore and purchase a book.  The feel of the book and the texture of the pages was something I didn't want to give up.  Well, I did finally purchase a Kindle and it has been revolutionary!  It is so lightweight and easy to use.  I even downloaded the kindle app on my iphone so I can have a book with me 24/7.  I think I initially held out because of fear.  Now I can't imagine life without it.  I hope my experience with becoming an internet residence produces the same results!

Theory of Disruption-Christensen

Education is on a constant pendulum of disruption according to Clay Christensen.  As he states in his book Disrupting Class disruptive innovation theory is a process by which a new, unknown product starts at the bottom of the market, experiences a tipping point and eventually displaces established competitors.   

Many of today’s schools are still teaching using traditional methods.  These classrooms are preparing students for a world that will not exist when they become adults.  Although these traditional methods may have worked in the past, today’s students are computer savvy and their brains are wired to receive instant information from multiple sources.   I am reminded of the story Jeff told of his son and the Wii he received for Christmas.  Jeff said that his son immediately opened the box and began to understand how the program worked through trial and error.  He then compared his son’s willingness to try to teachers who receive Smart Board for their classrooms and will not use it until they receive training. 

I like the idea Christensen presents of individualized education for every student and how a focus on embedding multiple intelligence strategies into lessons enhances learning, comprehension, and student interest.  Yet in the book Christensen points out how teachers tend to teach to their own strengths.  So the questions remain: How do school leaders encourage teachers to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new ways to teach students?  Is it possible to individualize education to meet the unique needs of each student? 

Creating my PLN

It's after midnight and I am trying to implement all the things we have learned in class about technology.  My head is filled with new vocabulary that I'm sure did not exist 5-10 years ago.  Tweet, blog, Diigo, igoogle, and the list goes on.  At times I am worried about being the one in class to ask all of the questions.  But I must be honest.  It's exciting to learn something new.  I am reminded about what it feels like for students who are learning something for the first time.
 
As much as I hope to have a twitter following (just kidding) I am concerned about the level of exposure that comes with on-line communication.  I confess, I really don't understand why someone would want to follow anyone on twitter.  Who cares if Paris Hilton is getting a pedicure or a drink at Starbucks.   OK I know that sounds a little shallow but aside from my narrow perspective, I am excited about following educational topics on line.  To me, twitter may prove to be a good use of technology.  I even signed up to have twitter on my smart phone (see Jeff, you're wearing off on me).   

In the spirit of embracing my inner-technology-self, my next step is to learn how to bookmark on Diigo.  This is one network that appears to provide ways to help organize my many references.  Although I have only signed up, I think this site will prove beneficial. More to follow...

My final thoughts (as rambling as they are) is on something shared in class. When Jeff initially shared about social media sites, he said "The reward is worth the effort".  He encouraged us to lurk, comment, write, and build networks of people who share our interests and passions about education.  As scary as this sounds, I must admit I think he might be right.  The effort will definitely pay off!

What learning environments would support more innovative thinking?

Design and Symphony

Design:  Bring back the arts into schools!  Today's students need opportunities to explore ways to express themselves using pencils, paints, clay, chalk and music.  Our schools are not allowing students to explore their right-brain way of discovering the world.  Instead we are harvesting a future filled with left-brain thinkers.  Without their counterparts, our future will be unbalanced, lacking design and beautiful music.  

Symphony:  Symphony is about seeing relationships.  Pattern recognition is a needed skill for math students from the early grades through Trigonometry.  Math classes should be designed to allow students time to think about how mathematical concepts fit together.  Focusing on several "Big Concepts" throughout the school year instead of dozens of standards would allow time for students to create meaning while going into depth on important topics. 

Schools must continue to find ways to connect content standards across all subjects.  This can be done when teachers work in concert to prepare lessons.  Research shows that when students connect learning to real-world application comprehension increases. 

Reflections on my story

Being a teacher has taught me about valuing the diversity others.  Growing up in San Diego in the 80s was a time when most students at my school looked just like me - white.  When I was at school, church, or even in my neighborhood my viewpoints were developed based upon my surroundings.  It wasn't that my family didn't appreciate people from different races.  We just didn't have the opportunity to meet. 

Working in a diverse school has given me many opportunities to learn about the Hispanic culture.  Although my primary job is to teach math, I encourage students to teach me words in Spanish.  I think this shows them that I am interested in their heritage and that they are valued at school.