Session Eight E-Class

Part One: The Importance of Vision
1) Please review your assigned "vision article":

Vision Leadership and Change: Bobbie, Jenise, Meghan, Andrew, Karin, Kim, Leigh

Vision as a Compass: Ellen, Jon, Arlene, Sarah, Katy, Carolann

Visions that Blind: Liz, Jen, Angie, Colleen, Jenna, Brendan

2) Small group on-line discussion

On the blog, find your on-line discussion group and answer/discuss the following questions:
* What is the "Essential Knowledge" from your article that the group should understand/be able to apply to leadership practice?
* How can the school vision become a tool for leaders to assess school effectiveness?

Each group member must post at least three times: Once for the essential knowledge from their article, once as an answer to the discussion question, and at least once to someone else in the group.

Part Two: Cultural Competency - First Takes
1) Please watch the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeEV5OMydXY

2) Please email me your answers to the following questions from our readings this week:

From Lead the Change

Diversity is growing expeditiously in public schools as immigrants from around the world are entering the US; therefore, cultural diversity is creating challenges for schools to create an inclusive culture that is accepting of all.  Public schools must educate and embrace all children.

* What are some ways that your school leadership team promotes practices to address cultural differences at your school site?
* How will you, as a new administrator, initiate conversations about bridging the different cultures in your school?

From Immigrant Families' Journeys Toward Understanding Educational Policies…

Brendan's Question Starter: Dorner uses two key concepts in her study of the understanding immigrant families have of educational policies: historical time and place and the developmental timing of particular events.

* How does your building administrator relay educational policies, especially ones having to do with ELL, to these stakeholders so they may understand them more easily?
* What positive reactions have you seen?  What negative reactions have you seen and how would you change them?

Part Three: Preparing for the School Vision Assignment
1) Review the mini-ppt included in our class email
2) Review the assignment overview and rubric in our class syllabus
3) Read the student exemplar on Taskstream. How would you score this paper, using the rubric?

Homework Preview
* Read WSCM Chapter 15: Think Smart Under Fire
* Bring a copy of your school’s crisis management plan to class
* Read Sergiovanni Chapter Seven Collegiality as a Professional Virtue and Chapter Nine Leadership and Stewardship
* Begin drafting School Vision paper: Due March 13 - March 16 (midnight)