Sat down today with a few high ranking officials from a university situated in very close proximity to our school district. The purpose of the meeting was discuss how to strengthen partnerships and look for new and different ways to collaborate.
For the first time...ever...we heard the university official express a sincere interest in learning how they could better prepare their school of education graduates to work in our schools. They are seeking advice, wisdom and guidance from K-12 teachers and administrators...wow!!!! What a refreshing exchange...a university seeking to reflect and continuously improve their pedagogy so they can better serve our district and those near us.
Anyone else out there finding meaningful dialogue between public school organizations and university partners?
Carroll University in Waukesha, WI...major props!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
So tired of talk, but very ready for change..
Today I joined a group of education leaders in Southeast Wisconsin for another discussion on our broken education system, our outdated ideas and our failed initiatives. I get it. You had me at "hello". Southeastern Wisconsin has been recently deemed an "innovation laboratory" and part of a 6-state ginormous PLC through the Parntership for Next Generation Learning (nxgl.org; ccsso.org; stupski.org). We are working, as a consortium of school districts (45 in total), ranging from affluent suburban to urban, to "transform" public education in our state and eventually in the nation. Wisconsin joins 5 other states - Kentucky, Maine, West Virginia, Ohio and New York - in an unprecedented, collaborative effort to actually do something different....can I get an "AMEN!" If you aren't religious, give me a "whoot whoot"!
I entered the meeting today with a full heart and fiestyt spirit, ready to worki with my colleagues on some actionable items - the "let's get to the doing" list.
Didn't happen.
More talk about the rationale and urgeny for change. We get it. We're with you. We want to DO!!
I reflected today on the enormity of the task before us: to think radically differentl about personalization, assessment, student voice, time/space, and the role of the teacher in the 21st century. But what an opportunity!!!
My colleagues in the room today, all superintendents, directors, principals and teacher leaders, are generally like-minded and understand the need for change.
That said, my mind drifted to those with whom I spend a great deal of time: Our school board members and community leaders who perhaps do not share the same desire to see radical change.
How are you helping your community to understand, value and support change in education?
I entered the meeting today with a full heart and fiestyt spirit, ready to worki with my colleagues on some actionable items - the "let's get to the doing" list.
Didn't happen.
More talk about the rationale and urgeny for change. We get it. We're with you. We want to DO!!
I reflected today on the enormity of the task before us: to think radically differentl about personalization, assessment, student voice, time/space, and the role of the teacher in the 21st century. But what an opportunity!!!
My colleagues in the room today, all superintendents, directors, principals and teacher leaders, are generally like-minded and understand the need for change.
That said, my mind drifted to those with whom I spend a great deal of time: Our school board members and community leaders who perhaps do not share the same desire to see radical change.
How are you helping your community to understand, value and support change in education?
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