Module 4

Professional Development

I feel that every person needs to take advantage of every professional development opportunity.  I was able to go to New Orleans, LA for a professional development conference.  I learned so many things that I used in my first year of teaching that I am still using in my second year.  I was able to be accompanied by great leaders that helped me with anything that I may not have felt comfortable with.  They were a great group of leaders that helped me feel confident in my presentation.  This was very helpful to me because I was able to see how they acted; therefore, helping me be the leader I am molding into. 

We also attended another professional development conference in Flatwoods, WV where I was accompanied by the same leaders as well as other important leaders within the Education department of Fairmont State University.  Even the dean of the Education department was there.  All of these amazing leaders showed me how to be a leader and how to provide for someone in need.  They even helped me with my upcoming interview for the job in which I am working now.  Both of these conferences were so effective in my life and I will never forget the great leaders who made me who I am today.    

Also I have just recently took over the head cheerleading coach position.  I helped out with the squad last year; however, I had a head coach above me to consult.  This upcoming year I will be the head coach; therefore, the leader of these girls.  I am excited to begin this journey

 

Strategies

I have not yet started to research too much; however, I have discussed and collaborated with other teachers at my school for my technology initiative.

In my Technology Initiative, I will be collaborating with the physical education teachers, as well as the hunting and fishing teachers, in utilizing geocaching.  This is not only a technology initiative, but it is also math related; therefore, we are combining three different classes.

I feel that the opportunity that I will be involved with is getting to collaborate with the teachers within my school and with other subject matters.  I feel that I am taking a leadership initiative in implementing this type of technology within the three courses.

 

 

 

Brand-Ed

According to Sheninger in Digital Leadership, “Brand is a distinctive sum experience people have with a product or service.”  Brand-Ed School Leadership is a way that a group of people - in this case - teachers - come together to identify their needs within the school.  They then take these needs and use them to allow the public to see the school in a positive way.  They also collaborate with associations outside of the school.  Also in this case, I feel that it is when the group of teachers discuss technology tools and ways to utilize it within the school.  Also, they make a way to discuss the outcome of their school culture, student achievement, and school funding or resources.  

PLNs

I have two years of experience in a school that has PLCs.  Therefore, I would consider that as a Personal Learning Network.  Every Wednesday, all of us teachers get together for an hour while the students have an hour later.  We discuss upcoming issues within the school or county, situations with certain students, and we collaborate on how to make the school a better place.  Then we break up into smaller groups either grade level or by departments. 

I feel that utilizing a more digital PLN would be effective in my workplace.  We use Remind 101 as a text messaging system for our principal to keep in touch with the faculty members.  However, we do not have a way to discuss amongst each other electronically.  I feel that this would make for a great way to discuss issues within the school.