Post #2 Becoming an iLeader

Don't you despise having to read a textbook and not being able to apply what you've learned because it's just not relevant or realistic? Well that's not the case this semester! After reading Teaching the iStudent I decided to start off by emailing the whole school a list of tools and/or Apps they can use in the classroom along with a brief description of what that app is used for. I then went through my RTI/SST caseload and provided students who lack organizational skills some tools that may be useful to them in order to succeed. If used appropriately and consistently, these tools can be used as interventions. Both teachers and students were grateful for providing these. I also encouraged other teachers in the school to share tools they learned about at training with others. I like how we are starting to see a collaborative culture!

It is sad to see that many APs go into leadership thinking they will be instructional leaders; however all the paperwork and demands cast upon them prevent them from helping teachers as much as they wish. This topic was brought up at our ILT meeting and I am glad that everyone was able to openly discuss their concerns transparently. We are trying to implement a program that tracks student learning every six weeks and allows us to ensure standard-mastery using an online program. Many teachers were on board, but others believed this would only take power away from teachers and water-down instruction. I understand technology is scary; however we need to take a leap of faith and "integrate technology seamlessly into the curriculum instead of viewing it as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event" (Heidi-Hayes Jacobs). How will our students learn to responsibly use this tool (technology) if we see it as a threat?