We are winding up thinking about program improvement this week and also beginning to think about collaboration and professionalism and what that all entails. How do you differentiate cooperation and collaboration? What role do you think the literacy leader should have in evaluating a whole school literacy program? How do you define professionalism? What do you think is the role of parents and community in improving the reading program?
WSQ chapter 11 is specifically about evaluation and change in a school program and the role of the literacy specialist. Chapter 15 discusses principles for integrating New Literacies into literacy instruction. Chapter 16 discusses the role of parents and community. The L&T book is about collaboration and especially advocacy and professionalism.
As you read, think about how you responded to the questions above and compare you responses to the ones that you read about. I"m giving you a bit of direction this week for your blog:
On page 163 of WSQ 11is a table that describes the 10 guiding principles
that will help a literacy leader support change in a school. Choose the 2
that either you find the most challenging for your setting or that are most
germane to supporting change in your setting. There are self-reflective
questions with each one. Respond to those questions for the 2 principles
that you chose. Reflect on the key ideas about collaboration and professionalism for school improvement.
Have a good week and I"ll see you on Nov. 11 at 3:30 in Rm. 223.
In my mind I think of cooperation as being willing to work with someone; where as, collaboration is not simply working with someone but offering ideas, compromise, and effecting change. Collaboration is offering part of your views and efforts, as well as being willing to receive that from others. The key difference between the two seems to be willingness to change.
ReplyDeleteLiteracy leadership is a key to a school having strong literacy programs and pedagogy in place to assist all learners. I think that just as a principal can set the atmosphere of the school, a literacy leader can do so for the literacy environment. Literacy leaders need to work with a leadership team to review the schools’ program. Getting all of the staff involved in this process will assist in a true collaboration in strengthening the program.
I had to laugh a bit when you asked us to describe professionalism. There are so many varying definitions that people bring to a school atmosphere. For me, I think of professionalism as not only handling yourself in a manner that is appropriate for a professional setting, but also involves being knowledgeable about your subject area. I think an educational professional should be able to provide theory to back up actions taken.
It is always interesting to me when someone says they don’t have parents or the community involved in literacy program, because they are always involved in some manner. This may be in a positive or a negative way. I think we need to try our best to build a positive rapport with both the parents and the community in order to establish the importance of literacy. I think that this may have to be taught to some, but the willingness to be open to involvement is a key to working together.
How do you differentiate cooperation and collaboration?
ReplyDeleteCooperation to me is about working together and respecting others differences in opinions. Collaboration to me is also working together but in a way where a group of people might be working on a certain project or activity to make it better through collaborating ideas and thoughts.
What role do you think the literacy leader should have in evaluating whole school literacy program?
I think a literacy leader should have a big role in evaluating a whole school literacy program because I would think that the literacy leader at that school should be knowledgeable in knowing where the students at that school are and what needs to happen to help those students grow. A literacy leader at a school should be the expert at understanding literacy curriculum for all grade levels and be able to identify whether it certain programs are fit for that school.
How do you define professionalism?
I think there are many ways you can show professionalism by respecting others viewpoints, not crossing boundaries, being timely and even dressing a certain way can be part of professionalism. I think that most importantly it is also about confidentiality and as a literacy leader, when teachers come to you to discuss students it is important that the conversation stays between the teacher and the literacy leader unless others need to be involved to help that student. I also think that building repertoire between colleagues is another way one can show professionalism.
What do you think is the role of parents and community in improving the reading program?
I think parents and the community play a vital part of helping support reading programs. I think they should be advocates for teachers and support the reading programs that are put in place to help their children succeed. It is important for them to also be informed by the different state mandates that effect teachers and the state standards which in turn effect how reading is taught in schools.
How do you differentiate cooperation and collaboration?
ReplyDeleteCooperation and collaboration, even though I think they may different they are still the same. When one cooperates they decide to take part in activities that have been assigned for them despite the fact that they may or may not want to talk part. During a time of cooperation participants engage in collaboration. Collaboration occurs when participant work together, sometimes willingly or unwillingly, as a team to complete a task of some sort.
What role do you think the literacy leader should have in evaluating a whole school literacy program?
As it relates to the literacy leader’s role and evaluating a whole school literacy program, I think they should be one of the key individuals in the process. Literacy leaders are trained and have the knowledge of what literacy programs should consist of, among other things. Having a literacy leader on the team of evaluators will definitely be of benefit to all involved, from the program makers to the students that benefit from it.
How do you define professionalism?
Professionalism in my opinion is about the way one acts in his or her job. There are certain rules, especially as teachers, that we must follow and being a professional means adhering to each rule accordingly. Professionalism means cooperating and collaborating with others even if you do not want to. It also means being the “bigger person” when there is tension etc.
What do you think is the role of parents and community in improving the reading program?
Even though parents and other community members may not have a big say in the content of reading programs they play a big role of being there to assist their children and students but at home and at school. Parents and community members can be seen as the bridge between the literacy leader and school administration and the students as they are their children’s voices in the good and bad times.
How do you differentiate cooperation and collaboration?
ReplyDeleteCooperation means when people try to understand each other and work out differences they may have in order that they achieve a common goal. Collaboration means when people come together and work cohesively to as a team to make an idea better than what it is.
What role do you think the literacy leader should have in evaluating a whole school literacy program?
Evaluating a whole school literacy program is a huge responsibility. However, the literacy leader should be the person to make sure all reading material are appropriate for students, whereby they research and purchase books. Also, they will also work with teachers to get ideas for what should be include into the program.
How do you define professionalism?
To me, professionalism is when someone who wholehearted works with others, sharing ideas and accepting ideas from others, working out differences, treating them with respect, and providing encouragement. Professionalism is getting the job done well and sometimes by any means. (once its safe :))
What do you think is the role of parents and community in improving the reading program?
Parents and the community are the support a school needs for improving the reading program. They are the ones we look to first for donations of materials, services or money. They are also the extra voices the school has to advocate for them. They also contribute ideas that they think will be best for their children’s needs.
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ReplyDeleteThis is a link to the Myself as a Literacy Leader. This doesn't look like it's going to work. Let me know if I you can't view it.
Thanks,
Cathy Vaughn
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ReplyDelete