The Next 5 Years
I began the school year with an overarching plan to share the plethora of resources and strategies received through my participation in this program. This would be done primarily through professional development, and the three main areas of focus would be: simplifying the design process to explore, create, share; fostering creativity by modeling activities (quickfires, world of wonder, improvisation, creating real-world problems and more); and introducing and demonstrating the TPACK model to enhance teaching and student learning. Things were progressing mainly according to plan until I started meeting with my focus group. My discussions with this group led me to focus in a new area, although my previous goals were not entirely abandoned.
I was looking to affect change in teaching and learning according to the plans that I had created, but I ended up affecting change based on the ideas of the students and parents. Those ideas fostered an exciting, organic transformation that led to a wholly, invigorated learning environment. This was moderately derailed by the dysfunction within CPS, but the foundation was already lain. Many of their ideas centered around social issues and this reinforced the importance of providing help, support, and opportunity. Teaching and learning in my and many other similar schools have to prioritize incorporating student and parental input, and ensure that the school is a place of prominence within the community.
My goal for the next five years is to be in a position where I can provide leadership about the importance of strengthening the bond between the school and community. The status quo is not working and the degradation of society is the result. Many of those who are in a position to make effective changes seem to prioritize politics over educations, and the bureaucracy is out of control. It is important to have a diverse group of support for these changes to happen, and I have been forming relationships with professionals of a variety of backgrounds in preparation.
This five year goal will require me to step outside of my comfort zone. I am not one who likes to be in the limelight, and I prefer to try to to do what needs to come to an agreement. In the same way that this program has challenged me to consider technology in a new light, it has challenged me to take a stand on what I believe needs to be done. It is not enough to be a peacemaker while bad decisions are continually being made. At some point, someone has to step up to the plate and advocate on behalf of the less fortunate. I plan on doing this in some capacity, and this is a direct result of my participation in this program.