As you read this blog, we have completed our first face to face meeting (and maybe you have visited a session at iPadpaloozaOU in Collings Hall. What are some take aways from the afternoon?
The readings for this week focus on goals for literacy leaders,
principles of adult learning, and elements of supporting change. In this blog, I want you to focus
primarily on connecting your own experiences to the ideas about adult
learning and supporting change.What do you think should be the goals for an effective literacy leader? What has supported your own change in your teaching practice? What makes an effective learning environment for you?
I'm looking forward to your discussion on your blog in coming weeks. Let me know if you have questions.
SB
This afternoon I found myself thinking more critically about the role of a reading specialist and how this applies to me. In a way today’s class stirred up more questions in my mind than answers. I don’t mean this in a negative way, but rather as I move into the position of a reading specialist, my paradigm needs to shift a bit. I know as the class proceeds many of these questions will be answered.
ReplyDeleteAn effective literacy leader could have many goals as long as these goals are centered around literacy enrichment. One goal could be to develop a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect among the faculty. Additionally, an effective literacy leader should work to build positive talk about what is being done well by the members of the school. This talk can also lead to discussions about what needs to occur within the school. Also, another goal is to be a resource for teachers/ staff to help build literacy in the classroom thus supporting personal growth within that team of educators.
When thinking about my own teaching practice, the things that have caused the most change have been people. I have seen great teacher models who were effective in the classroom, and in turn I attempted to change my practice to emulate them. Also, reviewing current research about learning has led to change within my classroom.
An effective learning environment for me is one that has a climate of mutual respect. Risk taking is supported in an effort to expand learning. When the risk taken is supported I am more willing to try new things because I know that I will be redirected if needful. It allows me to take risks without just feeling like I am going to fail miserably. Also, the environment need to have clear expectations and procedures.
Today I learned that a literacy leader plays a vital role in the growth of a student’s educational life. They must possess qualities that contribute to continuous personal growth and that of others including both students and fellow teachers.
ReplyDeleteAn effective literacy leader should aim to use strategies that include the home and community. The learning process should not be held only within the school walls but be sufficient enough that parents and other community members may contribute to the success of students learning. Also an effective literacy leader should aim to be vocal and communicate ideas in a manner that is easy to understand and implement. Teachers are already bombarded with tons of work including the implementation of differentiating instruction and in order to make this process easier, having literacy strategies that are easy to use but effective will only make the teaching process better.
As a new teacher, I still have yet to figure out things that have supported change in my teaching practice.
An effective learning environment is a place where students feel comfortable enough to express their feelings/emotions and understand the concept of constructive feedback. Also, the teacher and students communicate in a respectful manner which provides opportunity for effective learning to take place. Parents should feel comfortable approaching the teacher with questions or concerns they may have regarding the information and the way it is rendered to their child. Students should also be respectful towards the teacher and each other, willing to learn and obey the rules of the classroom geared toward their grade level.
Even though I was aware of the fact that there was someone called a literacy leader, I was not fully aware of the numerous characteristics and roles that these individuals possess. So from our first class session today I learned about the many characteristics a literacy leader may possess. I also learned that as a literacy leader, having a personal learning plan where I identify my needs and goals is essential to my growth.
ReplyDeleteThere are numerous goals that can be established for an individual, more specifically a teacher, to become an effective literacy leader. First, an effective literacy leader should be able to communicate with all persons that assist in the growth process of the students. They may include but not limited to teachers, principals, parents and school boards. Second, they should willing to engage in professional development sessions and other activities such as reading to keep them abreast of new concepts and ideas that will help them continue to be an effective literacy leader. Last, an effective literacy leader should be approachable, a team player and should be willing to assist others in order that they may be effective participants in their field.
Continuing, as a novice educator I do not have much to choose from regarding my practice and what has supported my change. However, as a student educator I will say that the numerous courses that I have taken thus far have helped me realize the path I wish to take as it pertains to my teaching ideologies.
In addition, I think in order for my learning environment to be effective I must first be surrounded by like-minded individuals, those who are willing to learn and accept feedback, and share ideas in order that we all grow as professionals. In an environment of positive thinkers and a positive rapport, I think tasks can be completed in an effective manner, and persons won’t afraid be to voice their opinion etc.
After completing our initial face to face meeting, I left feeling an abundance of emotions, excited to learn about how to be a “leader” in a school building, exhausted thinking of all of the roles a literacy leader plays and nervously thinking about how I am going to balance everything. We spent a lot of time talking about goals and I realized that this is the perfect class for me to conclude my graduate career so that I can reflect on my goals ever since I started this program. Why am I here? What are some things I want to take away? How can I continually grow as a literacy leader? I am excited to see what I will learn from this course and how I can apply it to my life as an educator!
ReplyDeleteAn effective literacy leader can have many goals. I think a literacy leader has to be able to understand her cliental, both the teachers and the students and figure out ways to cater to her cliental. It is important that a literacy leader establishes respect with in a school building. I think that it is also important for a literacy leader to provide opportunities for growth for her colleagues as well as be a resource for other teachers to reach out to.
When I first started out as a teacher I think there are some teaching practices that I still use in my classroom and plenty that have changed over the years. I think the reason for these changes are due to a lot of different factors such as observing other teachers and seeing what works for them, professional development, courses that I have taken as a graduate students and even the different children I get year to year. All these factors have influenced me in some way so that I can take what I think is best for my students and practice it in my classroom.
An effective learning environment for me is an environment where collaboration occurs and ideas are heard and used to enhance other ideas. It’s critical for me that it is a positive atmosphere and that there are times where individuals are able to work independently. I am all about hands on experiences and being able to visually see what is expected of me. I also appreciate organization and that expectations are clear and understood.