eChalk Site Manager Training

I spent the entire day with the 8 site managers and our trainer from eChalk.  Although it was not ideal to pull secretaries out of their places or teachers out of their classrooms, there was no other way to get us all together.  The day was very productive and we learned so much that can help us communicate more effectively with teachers, parents, and the community.

We completely re-organized all 8 school websites and the district site too.  We decided on common tabs so families will have an easier time navigating sites and finding information.  We learned how to post announcements internally and externally as well as how to keep calendars up to date.  

We all still have a lot of work to do to get everything just right and in place, but the time was spent well.  Another next step is to decide who is responsible for what as we move forward.

My next big goal is to get all of the resources our district as (the Intranet, employee documents and forms, Web 2.0 resources, etc)  all in one place to teachers and staff.  We have been relying on everyone attempting to save important emails and links, but with no way to keep them organized. 

I am amazed at how much I have learned about website infrastructure from both this training as well as from just trial and error myself.  Although I don't want to spend my time behind a computer screen, I think it really helps for me to understand how everything works so that I can make it work better!

Rollout Support....

Spent the last few days helping schools rollout their 1:1 devices....everything from labeling laptops, to counting iPads in cards, to threading charger cords into carts.  There is still so much to do, but the iCoaches have provided great support to schools and teachers to make sure everything is in place.

Looking back on this, everything is relatively organized considering there are 4,000 devices!  The whole process is complicated by the fact that the devices were purchased at so many different times and in so many different ways.  Some schools have a simple system while other schools have different devices in each grade level, complicating things.  Some schools have a lot of spare devices, but others don't even have enough for their current student population, let alone ones to use in cases of repairs.

While there really isn't a good way to go about making it all work perfectly at this point, I think the system we have in place is pretty good!  Ideally it would be perfect, but for now, as long as the devices are in the hands of students, everything will work out okay!

My Replacement

Today after school I met with Scott, the teacher who replaced me as 8th grade science teacher at Freedom.  I went over some basics of the class with him, and how I ran things.  I gave him some resources for the safety and metric system units as well....suggesting some new and fun ideas to make the lessons more engaging and to integrate more technology.  Sometimes I still surprise myself with how natural many of these ideas are for me.

Scott is going to do great!  He has so much energy and is excited to be a Freedom Patriot!

A little bittersweet to be in my old classroom and to see it so different....but I am still excited about my new role.

First Day of the Year!

What an exciting day!  We are kicking off our first year as a 100% 1:1 district.  So much work has gone into making this day a reality.  Between our administration, our tech department, and the iCoaches, we somehow pulled it off.

Next step - do my best to support these teachers so the can be the best they can be.

New Teacher Training

Had a great week so far working with all of the new teachers in our district.  They are a great group!  We have given them so much information, yet they are asking for more and going above and beyond already.   Many of them are brand new Mac users!  It is amazing to think back to my own new teacher training week just 4 years ago.....so much has changed!

Good things in store for D100 with this group :)

iCoach Job Description

This is the job description we all wrote back in April......good things to keep in mind as I move into this new position.

Instructional Coach

Job Description

Goal
To provide essential support for the district by facilitating a creative and collaborative environment through coaching, training, and leadership.

Qualifications

• ISBE State Certificate with appropriate endorsement(s)
• Experience in leadership roles such as: providing and attending professional development (in-district and out-of district), Team Leader position, school committee membership and leadership, integrating technology into curriculum, etc.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills

Responsibilities

• Facilitate implementation of learning standards, district instructional models, and technology in all district schools.
• Work with teachers in the development of integrating technology into instruction.
• Model best instructional practices through actual classroom demonstrations.
• Introduce teachers to new methods, materials, and instructional strategies that, through research, have proven to increase student achievement.
• Meet with teachers individually, in collaborative teams, and/or with departments, providing practical support on a full range of instructional strategies to integrate technology into curriculum, instruction and student work.
• Assist teachers in differentiating instruction through the use of various technologies.
• Engage in reflective practices to identify successes and challenges.

• Participate in professional development, research,  reading, and inquiry sessions to stay abreast of developments in best classroom practices, technology, and assessment.
• Work collaboratively and communicate effectively with administrators, teachers, and other school staff to strengthen all aspects of the instructional program.
• Advise administrators, teachers, and other school staff regarding professional development sessions based on staff input and assessment of what students in various grade levels and content areas need to work on to meet district and/or school goals.
• Consult on district and school level technology budgets and purchases of hardware, software, and related resources as well as district technology plan.