ISTE NETS A for Administrators Reflection

Today, CISD administrators are engaging in the continuation of a multi-year plan to implement technology as both an instructional tool and student learning tool to improve student performance. As I read through the 5 standards for administrators and began to reflect on where I am, I discovered the following:

1. Visionary Leadership - As an educational administrator, do I "inspire and lead development of a shared vision for comprehensive integration of technology to promote excellence and support transformation?" In this area, I believe I have a greater awareness and am becoming more experienced in the use of digital-age resources to support effective instructional practice and maximize performance. I engage in an ongoing process to assist my staff in the implementation of technology infusion. I feel I could grow by advocating at the state level for funding to support implementation of a technology infused vision.
2. Digital-Age Learning Culture - As an educational administrator, do I "create, promote, and sustain a dynamic, digital-age learning culture that provides a rigorous, relevant, and engaging education for all students?" In this area, I feel that I promote and sustain a digital-age learning culture that is in the process of transforming from implementation to sustainability. At the beginning of each school year, we spend time learning about resources available to support effective instructional practice, and we continue this practice/model at monthly faculty meetings. This upcoming school year this practice needs to filter into PLCs.
3. Excellence in Professional Practice - As an educational administrator, do I "promote an environment of professional learning that empowers educators to enhance student learning...?" I eluded to this standard in my reflection above. As an instructional leaders, I allocate time each month to ensure ongoing professional growth in technology fluency and integration. I need to continue to stay abreast of educational research and emerging trends regarding effective use of technology.
4. Systemic Improvement - As an educational administrator, do I "provide digital-age leadership and management to continuously improve the organization through the effective use of information and technology resources?" In this area, I believe we continue to get stronger each year. As the campus leader, I lead purposeful change to maximize improve the appropriate use of technology.
5. Digital Citizenship - As an educational administrator, do I "model and facilitate understanding of social, ethical, and legal issues and responsibilities to an evolving, digital culture?" As a digital leader, I ensure equitable access to appropriate tools and resources, promote and model for safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information through digital citizenship lessons.

TASSP 2014 Reflection

This past week I attended TASSP conference in Austin. Throughout the three day conference, there were a variety of sessions to choose from and several well-known speakers. Day 1 for me consisted of Trends, Tools and Tactics for the 21st Century Learner (Kevin Honeycutt), The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction (Sean Cain), Effective Digital Leadership: Moving Our Schools Forward, Building the Capacity of Schools to Meet Student Needs (Pedro Noguero), and TEA Foundation High School Program Graduation Requirements Update.
I decided to purchase Cain's book - The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction and plan to read it during my 2 weeks off this summer. I took the following ideas from another session on day 1:

• Flip beginning of year procedural items to a prerecorded blog allowing more time for staff development geared toward improving student performance
• Use of Fast Follow on Twitter
• Professional weekly Twitter Chat Times for my own professional development/growth

Day 2 began at 8am with Tools to Increase Rigor in Your School. During this session, the presenter shared a research-based definition of rigor and elaborated on 4 key aspects found in the definition - environment, expected, supported, and demonstrates. The environment must be safe and secure, routines and procedures established, use of positive language (refrain from negative comments), and celebrate progress. "Expected to learn" meaning it's not enough to have high expectations; we have to put them in action. In addition during this sessions, the presenter shared 5 Tools for Increasing Rigor in Your School.

• Tool 1 - Culture Framework
• Tool 2 - Ownership and Shared Vision
• Tool 3 - Managing Data
• Tool 4 - Advocacy Scorecard
• Tool 5 - Instant Credit Recovery

Day 2 ended with a fun-filled session on Team Building…An Important Piece of Professional Development. My staff has expressed the desire to engage in activities to build more camaraderie. During this session, 51 participants actively engaged in 7 different team building activities. I am so excited to try several of these with my staff in August. 

Day 3 things began to wrap up with Steve Gilliland: Making a Difference in Education. If you have not had the opportunity to hear Mr. Gilliland speak he has a unique way of sharing stories about his family and work experiences to insightfully focus on the conscious choices people make daily that impact the lives of others. His stories are heartfelt, humorous, and real. 

Technology and Mobile Learning at CHS

The Class of 2014 was one of the original group of students at Castleberry HS to begin the district's journey on our one-to-one initiative with technology. Our seniors were asked the following questions:
How do you believe our one-to-one initiative with netbooks has prepared you as a 21st century learner? How has mobile learning helped you personalize your learning?
See below for a few responses from Castleberry HS seniors.

"I think the netbooks were more of a convenience. They were very resourceful..."
"I get to keep my netbook/files organized the way I need it to be, and finding resources is much easier."
"It's helped me become more familiar with Microsoft Office programs."
"Using the Edmodo app on my iphone has helped me keep up with assignments when I don't have my netbook with me."
"Has made information easier to reach. Any question I have can be Googled and check in a second."
"Allowed me to find important information as soon as I needed it."
"Mobile learning helped me personalize my learning by locating research I wanted."
"It helped me to better understand technology in a deeper way."
"It has helped me gain more skills in Microsoft Office and using them for presentations for projects."
"Helps me learn in my own manner that makes me more efficient at retaining information."


For more tools on student-centered learning go to  http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/education/k12/teachers.html.