Simple truth over Talking points
by John Marschhausen • • 0 Comments
Just last week I was standing at the grocery, buying eggs, and checking to make sure none of the eggs were broken. While concluding I did in fact have a dozen eggs ready for consumption, a very nice community member, the father of a student in our district, introduced himself to me. We had a pleasant conversation about my first year as superintendent. Towards the end of the conversation he asked, “What would you like to see for next year?” I, of course, entered into a recitation of our district goals. He politely interrupted and said, “I’m not looking for the company line – what areas do you think need to improve?”
My response . . . I apologized to him. I pride myself in honest, direct and open communications. I believe that in public education we prone to “playing it safe.” Yes, we have a Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) and we do, of course, set measurable benchmarks and goals. These processes are important; processes ensure consistent performance, integrity in planning and assessing progress and cohesiveness in the organization. Nevertheless, that isn’t what I was asked. So, what are my biggest areas of concern after year one as superintendent? Here is the plain, honest truth.Elementary math and transitions in our math curriculum: We are at a transition in math instruction. We aren’t going back to a math textbook or series that everyone uses. We’d never expect an entire class of students to read using the same resources; we use a balanced approach to literacy instruction. We need to create . . . to build . . . a balanced approach to math instruction. We are on the right path, but we still have a long way to go. Our teachers need more resources and professional development. Our parents need additional communication. Math instruction today won’t look like math instruction did when we, as parents, attended school. We won’t have “drill and kill” worksheets and page 52, complete 1-52 even numbered problems. We are getting there . . . we have a vision, but this is a work in progress.
I am also concerned about the math transitions, from elementary to the traditional high school structure. We are teaching math using new approaches in the elementary, but we are then shifting students to the traditional Algebra I, Geometry Simple truth over Talking points | Connected Principals:
From conference to campus…make it happen!
I am super excited about the opportunities I have to be at a variety of learning spaces this summer. From ISTE to Region X, my “summer” is full of learning! (I love my job!) As I read through all of the recent posts about what not to forget and things that you “have” to have/know/pack when thinking summer learning, I keep coming back to something I read in “Leverage Leadership”. Regardless of wher
3 by Amber Teamann / 6h