There is always something new to learn ...

We instituted a new assessment system this year. It's always challenging to learn a new system. Things that the old system would do but the new one won't do is always frustrating. But overall it's been a good switch.  We were never happy with the last product and I think our assessment company partners finally understood that as well. So everyday we learn something new about the program and that's okay. But today was a particular high point with the new program.  Today one of the veteran teachers in our district gave an online test with his class.  Doing an online test is taking some risks and letting go of ... control.  It all went very well and I hope his role modeling will help some younger teachers venture into online testing.  We're always learning new things and new ways to do things, and that's a good thing for our students.

Thanks for reading.

Another school year is fast approaching ...

Well Celeste and I just got done moving our offices back to the unit office after another summer of curriculum work. At the end of each school year in May, we pack up and move to the high school for the summer (since it would be impossible to work with 100+ teachers at the unit office). Once we complete our summer work it's another move back to the unit office. It's a hassle to box and move, but it does make me clean off my desk twice a year!

It's been a very busy summer. We are going to incorporate two new systems into our arsenal. The first is a new assessment system called Schoolnet. Our old assessment system (which remain nameless) never lived up to the expectations that we had for it. Change is difficult but we are excited for a change to this new system. The administrators have been busy trying to learn the new system this summer so they will be able to work with their teachers once school starts.

The second system is from NWEA and is called MAP (Measures of Academic Progress). MAP is computer adaptive so it can show individual growth on all students. It will also help us pinpoint areas of deficiency that might exist. It becomes another tool for teachers and parents to help their students.

August 6-8 will be the start of the school year for our new teachers. We are fortunate to get some of the best and brightest. I always look forward to working with the new teachers as they get acclimated to our district. I certainly appreciate the hard work that the mentors do as they help the new teachers get ready for the school year.

We are also working on a plan for professional development. We know 'where we need to end up' but we are trying hard to figure out what the first steps need to be. So many exciting things going on ... it's going to be a great year. Can't wait to get started.

Thanks for reading.

School Year 2011-2012

Well as usual it was a very busy and productive summer in the curriculum/assessment office. Our dedicated teachers and department leaders spent over 2500 hours in June working on improvements to our curriculum and assessments. With the adoption of new math resources (that weren't yet published), new Illinois Learning Standards (incorporating the Common Core) and 16 new teachers in the system it was a crazy-busy process.

We kicked off the school year with a dynamic presentation by Mr. Jim Burgett. No matter how many times I hear him speak, I just can't get enough. Mr. Burgett reinforced so many of the initiatives that we have been focused upon; including the importance of building relationships and engaging students with technology in the classroom. It's easy to find a speaker that can entertain and amuse. It's more important to find professional development that helps us stay focused on the important district goals and he did just that. There is so much to learn from his messages- and I encourage anyone that has a chance to hear him speak to jump at the chance.

So I'm beginning my 22nd year with Coal City Schools and am so thankful to work in such a caring and professional organization. It's certainly not without challenges, but what fun would work be if it wasn't challenging?

Back in 2009 when I started to blog I wanted to end each one on a positive note about someone in the organization and give "thanks" for someone in the CCCUSD#1 family. I'm going to continue that practice this year. A couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate to get to work with the new teachers that we've hired into the district. While I truly enjoyed working with all of them, I'm going to single out one in this particular post. Sharon S. is a new teacher at the middle school this year. In each encounter with Sharon she has reminded me how "excited, happy and grateful" she is to work in the school district. It's a good reminder for all of us (when those 'fun challenges' are piling up) of having a grateful, servant heart. Sharon is going to be a great teacher because truly loving what you do, regardless of the job, is half the battle. We can't teach new teachers to have enthusiasm and love what they do, but it's certainly a vital component to great teaching. I was having a conversation with my son in the car about there being two types of educators, although I think it applies to any work and not just work in the field of education. There are those that see a job as a way to collect a paycheck and those that see it as a reflection of who they are (a calling, a profession). I wish everyone viewed their work as a profession and not as a way to collect a paycheck. I'm thankful we have people in our organization like Sharon who will help all of us remember just that.

Thanks for reading

Tammy

Professional Development

Teaching has certainly changed since I started my career in 1990. The demands on the professionals in the classroom are various and complex. Most of the biggest challenges we talk about in 2011 didn't exist or were unknown just two decades ago. For teachers to be successful and satisfied in their constantly changing roles, they need good professional development. What we once thought was good professional development is no longer supported by the professional research. When I first started teaching we basically had two types of professional development. The first was a 'sit and get' at a conference, workshop or seminar. These one-day opportunities were often fun to attend but did little to change the learning environment in my school, beyond my individual classroom. The second type of opportunity was the motivational speaker or guru that was brought into the school to explain the latest and greatest or pump us up to feel better about the jobs we were trying to do. Neither did much to change the instructional practices in my classroom and we certainly would be hard pressed to demonstrate any increase in student achievement from those speakers. So what do we know that good professional development should look like?


First of all we now have a better understanding of how adults learn. Training needs to be relevant and useful. They should have choices and it should "meet them where they are." It needs to give them tools to improve in their profession--not create meaningless work for them.(Sounds a lot like good classroom teaching doesn't it?) Professional development can't be a 'sit and get and forget' -- it should be tied to expectations in the classroom, have support and be continuous.


While our professional development still isn't where it needs to be, I think we've made great strides toward building a better model for adult learning in the organization. During our early dismissals this year we have created opportunities in several key strands of learning. The strands have related to curriculum/assessment/instruction, technology integration and RtI. Those broad categories included such sessions as book studies, writing projects, resource selection, progress monitoring, content area reading, common core implementation and life skills curriculum development. Our technology focus this year has included sessions on: Google forms, MOBIs, Clickers, Blogs/Wikis, Facebook, Twitter, iPod Touches, iMovie, Garageband and MacBook Tips and Tricks (just to name a few). Teachers are allowed to select what they would like to learn. For the most part they are learning from colleagues and not outside 'gurus.' This accomplishes several tasks, first of all it makes connections between staff members that might not have an opportunity to know each other. Secondly, it gives the new learner a person to contact in the event they need additional support. Lastly, it becomes an opportunity for continuous growth as the group can continue to collaborate after the session is completed.


Early dismissal time is used for professional development to enhance teaching and learning. It is not time for teachers to get caught up on paperwork or do other tasks associated with their jobs. Although, being human, that is often the desire. As with anything there is never enough time to get everything done that needs to be done. We get a couple of hours each month to try and address the needs we have, and the needs outweigh the time available. So we'll continue to improve the process and strive to meet the needs of each learner (regardless of their age).


My thanks this post goes out to Jackie Mark, Jackie Larson and Dave Sinkular. In my last post I was lamenting about the rough time we had with the implementation of a new assessment package. Since that time, things have improved. Using that assessment system, Jackie, Jackie and Dave were willing participants in our first round of online testing with students. They volunteered to take a chance and allow their students to take their classroom assessment on the computer. It's difficult to agree to the unknown, yet they were willing to help out and work through the process. I'm so grateful to get to work with such dynamic teachers that are always student focused. They make CCUSD#1 a better place to work.

Thanks for reading.

Another semester coming to an end

It's hard to believe that 2010 is quickly coming to a close and the first semester of the school year is over. It's been a challenging semester in the assessment center but there are many things, and especially people that I'm thankful for.

There have been some high points and low points so far this semester ...

A high point has been the willingness of our teachers to facilitate professional development trainings for their peers this semester. It's always better to learn from those in the "trenches" and it's been a great experience. It's tough to teach peers, so I'm so appreciative of those that have stepped up, stepped out and volunteered (or at least didn't tell me no). Jackie L., Jim H., Nancy, Katie, Matt, Ben, Dave, Jackie M., Jessica, Patty, Lori, Carrie, Brad, Molly, Abby, Mitch, Brian, Jason, Betsy S., Ann, Carol, Jen M. and Michelle (and those I've forgot) - Thank You!

A low point has been the new assessment system that has been frustrating for administrators and teachers alike. I've learned that regardless of the size and reputation of a company, it can make poor decisions.

Another high point has been the teachers that have worked on selecting the final companies for the math resources for next year's textbook/resource adoption. Unmeasurable gratitude to Colleen and Jenn N. for leading this process. It's easiest to stay with what is familiar so it's been refreshing to see everyone willing to look at various options. Regardless of what is selected I'm confident that everyone has had an opportunity to voice their opinion.

A low point has been the continued uncertainty with the reauthorization of NCLB/ESEA. There is a blueprint but we continue to wait to see what lawmakers will decide.

A high point has been the teachers that have really embraced the new Web 2.0 tools and the use of MOBIs/Clickers/Flipcameras. While I can't quite understand how our students think, I can observe my own 14-year old son and realize that the school environment that I thrived in, bores him to death. While I want to curl up with a good book (my Kindle actually) he doesn't want to read anything unless it teaches him something, and quite honestly he isn't going to read it, unless it's online. He can spend hours watching TED, YouTube and one of his favorites Wimp. I don't get it, I really don't. I don't want to sit in front of a computer screen and watch those video clips no matter how educational. But he does. Think our kids are just watching "fluff" online? Check out TED or Wimp, it isn't fluff. Teachers that are embracing the way students want to learn are going to be invaluable to our organization and I applaud you. Technology isn't a novelty anymore, it is an inseparable part of our childrens' existance.

A low point has been the state of Illinois .... enough said.

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
Thanks for reading
Tammy

Another School Year Begins

It's hard to believe that I'm starting my 21st year in education (two decades of doing anything sounds like a long time). The first few days of the 2010-2011 school year are under our belts and things will soon begin to settle down into a normal routine.

It was a busy summer for the curriculum department. The teachers put in 2121 hours in June to work on curriculum and assessments. Every summer has its challenges but also has its rewards. More and more teachers continue to "get on board" and understand the need for curriculum and common assessments. It's so much better when we're all pulling on the same rope, or paddling in the same direction or on the same page (however you want to say it---it's just nice). The department leaders continue to be instrumental in driving this process. Their commitment and expertise to their subject areas continues to amaze me. I am so very thankful for all of them.

We moved the curriculum department to the Early Childhood Center at the end of summer curriculum work. So, for the first time in my professional career, I'm actually taller than most of the people I'm in the building with. Today we helped the kindergartners with their first experience with lunch. Some were so excited they couldn't focus on eating. Some decided that they wanted a "hot lunch" even though a "cold lunch" had been packed for them. Some cried through lunch and wanted to go home but the tears quickly dried when they found out it was time for recess! The ECC will be interesting for my professional education, I'm quickly developing immense respect for those that love, care and teach our youngest members of the CCUSD#1 family. Have you ever had to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a spork?

The state has officially adopted the Common Core and recently set a timeline for new assessments for the state. While the details are still very vague, at least they have started to give the school districts some guidance for approaching the changeover. For more information you can visit the Illinois State Board of Education's website. This will be a big challenge for our math and reading curriculum committees as they begin to map out a transition plan for the change from the Illinois Learning Standards to the Common Core.

Last year when I began my blog I had a theme that I wanted to pursue, "being part of the solution, and not the problem" and I used my blog to thank someone. Someone that does their job, does it well and just by being a part of CCUSD#1 they make it a better place to work. I've got a lot of people in mind but today it goes to Mary. Mary is a custodian at the ECC and not only has she made our move to her building easy, she is always very professional, courteous and helpful. Today she was also on the lunchroom brigade, (making peanut butter sandwiches with a spork), and just helping the whole process run more smoothly. Mary is the type of person I look forward to seeing everyday. She makes my day a little brighter. Thanks Mary, for all you do.

Thanks for reading.

Tammy

Curriculum News

Well it's official, the draft common core state standards are now available for public comment until Friday, April 2nd. According to the website these standards "define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs." It goes on to state six specific characteristics of the standards:

1. Aligned with college and work expectations;
2. Clear, understandable and consistent;
3. Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
4. Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
5. Informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and
6. Evidence-based

It will be interesting to see the changes (if any) between these standards and what we'll see adopted in April and then ultimately by the state of Illinois. More to come in the future as we continue to follow these changes and their impact upon our students and our whole school system.

ISAT testing was held from March 2 until March 12. The goal this year was 77% of our students meeting or exceeding standards in math and reading. Our teachers have worked very hard preparing the students to do their best, hopefully our results will reflect these efforts. The high school will be testing on the PSAE on April 28-29, which will conclude our mandatory testing for NCLB for the year. There is starting to be "talk" about reauthorization of NCLB (No Child Left Behind) although most have stopped using that title anymore. Instead, most are returning to the original title of ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act). A good overview article of the current thinking was posted by Education Week and is titled Administration Unveils ESEA Renewal Blueprint.

So many are calling this a perfect storm. We have new standards coming in to play, new assessments in the works, new reauthorization of federal law and public funding for schools in Illinois in dire straits. It's going to be an interesting couple of years in the public school arena, the likes of which I have never witnessed.

In the spirit of being part of the solution and not the problem, my thanks this week goes out to Brad. Brad is a new teacher to our district and teaches 4th grade. Brad was willing to try online testing at the Intermediate School a couple of weeks ago. One of the very best things about working with him is his willingness to pursue new avenues. Not only is he very professional but he is also eager to try anything that can improve student learning or engagement. He works hard, setting high expectations not only for himself but his students as well. Brad is a tremendous asset to our organizational system, and I'm fortunate to get to work with him.

Thanks for reading
Tammy