SELF-REFLECTION ABOUT THE PROJECT
“Tell me and I forget
Teach me and I remember
Involve me and I learn”.
Benjamin Franklin
My Mentor Project to Guide Teacher Leaders on the effectiveness of LEAPP quality classroom tools represents a culmination of work that spanned a timeframe of three years. As I reflect on my commitment to the process, I recognize how important it is to change in order to promote personal and professional growth. Without change, we just stand still. However, the ability to change varies with each individual, depending on one’s own experiences. To successfully implement change within our schools, it is necessary to provide continuous training, modeling, reviewing, and acknowledgment of participation. Educators and children need to feel valued and supported. Change evolves when individuals recognize the importance of what they are doing, share the information, and identify how it leads to improvement.
When I started attending the LEAPP sessions, I was excited to learn new tools to motivate my students and lead them to discover how they could achieve positive educational outcomes. The first year was spent investigating the strategies. A few were tried with success and that made me want to continue. In the second year, I had the opportunity to work closely with a devoted group of second grade educators. They embraced the opportunity to learn and recognized how children’s performance improved over time by using the tools in conjunction with their other teaching practices. In my final year, I have been able to share my knowledge with the entire school and implement all of the outlined tools with different grade levels in small and large group situations. Over time, my level of commitment and involvement increased as I discovered the advantages of using the tools.
The educators at Primrose Hill School are remarkable and dedicated to helping their students. They have opened their minds to learn new ways to improve and enhance the performance of children in their classrooms by using innovative strategies. Teachers have contributed their ideas during discussions, stated their opinions, offered solutions when challenges arose, and celebrated accomplishments.
Over my many years of teaching, I have learned that children are flexible and willing to try anything that is new and motivating. The students that I had the pleasure to work with over the last three years were excited that they were able to contribute their own learning and they appreciated when their opinions were recognized and acted upon. Participation in the activities prepared students to set goals, reflect on their own accomplishments, adjust to improve learning outcomes, and develop interpersonal skills by communicating with others.
SUGGESTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE FUTURE:
It is evident that continuation of this work is necessary next year to move the school forward. I am confident that with the groundwork that has been set, this task is in capable hands. However, there needs to be a delicate balance of training, modeling, reviewing, acknowledgment, and support for both teachers and students to implement change. Therefore, the following suggestions might be considered for future use.
When I started attending the LEAPP sessions, I was excited to learn new tools to motivate my students and lead them to discover how they could achieve positive educational outcomes. The first year was spent investigating the strategies. A few were tried with success and that made me want to continue. In the second year, I had the opportunity to work closely with a devoted group of second grade educators. They embraced the opportunity to learn and recognized how children’s performance improved over time by using the tools in conjunction with their other teaching practices. In my final year, I have been able to share my knowledge with the entire school and implement all of the outlined tools with different grade levels in small and large group situations. Over time, my level of commitment and involvement increased as I discovered the advantages of using the tools.
The educators at Primrose Hill School are remarkable and dedicated to helping their students. They have opened their minds to learn new ways to improve and enhance the performance of children in their classrooms by using innovative strategies. Teachers have contributed their ideas during discussions, stated their opinions, offered solutions when challenges arose, and celebrated accomplishments.
Over my many years of teaching, I have learned that children are flexible and willing to try anything that is new and motivating. The students that I had the pleasure to work with over the last three years were excited that they were able to contribute their own learning and they appreciated when their opinions were recognized and acted upon. Participation in the activities prepared students to set goals, reflect on their own accomplishments, adjust to improve learning outcomes, and develop interpersonal skills by communicating with others.
SUGGESTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE FUTURE:
It is evident that continuation of this work is necessary next year to move the school forward. I am confident that with the groundwork that has been set, this task is in capable hands. However, there needs to be a delicate balance of training, modeling, reviewing, acknowledgment, and support for both teachers and students to implement change. Therefore, the following suggestions might be considered for future use.
- Create a committee of invested educators within the building to continue professional development on the use of LEAPP quality classroom tools. These can be individuals who have been trained and those who have used some of the strategies in their classrooms. When information is coming from multiple sources and the perspectives of all grade levels are considered, it is engaging and motivating.
- As one educator suggested, introduce the tools one at a time. Allow teachers time to use them, reflect on their value, and state their opinions about their usefulness.
- Provide teachers with opportunities to observe educators modeling the tools. Allow them to give feedback and ask questions during debriefing sessions. Promote discussions during grade level meetings and faculty meetings. Encourage honesty and address concerns to help individuals move forward.
- Continue walk-through data collection opportunities. When presenting the results, focus on acknowledgment of participation and success. The more positive the discussion, the more people will want to get involved in the future.
- Be sure that educators are aware of the value of LEAPP quality classroom tools as a way to promote and enhance classroom performance. The purpose has to be clear and the results recognizable or their use will be viewed as just another thing that is required. Share success stories. Involvement is contagious when results are obvious!
- A parent communication session might be helpful so that the information can be shared with all members of the school community. It is important for them to understand ways that their children become involved, responsible, and accountable for their own learning and education.
This project would not have been possible without the training provided to me by the district. I was given a wonderful opportunity that helped me to develop my skills as a professional.
Special thanks are extended to all of the educators at Primrose Hill School. They graciously sat through numerous training sessions while I explained and modeled the LEAPP quality classroom tools. They tried different strategies, participated in discussions, and gave constructive feedback. This staff should be commended for their hard work, perseverance, and dedication. They are willing to do whatever it takes and make necessary changes to assist students, other teachers, and parents as they progress and learn through the elementary grades. Many teachers shared samples of their work with the children and some of their tools are shown in pictures and videos.
My technology advisors were Patricia Tolento, Katie O’Kane, Janet Provost, and Jennifer Hines. With their assistance, it was possible to successfully complete the Weeby website. Everyday was a learning experience. Their help was greatly appreciated.
Patricia Tolento, principal of Primrose Hill School, was my loyal supporter as I completed my project. Her guidance and inspiration were vital as challenges and accomplishments were discovered and managed. I am grateful for all that she taught me throughout the process. She is a special person and an outstanding leader who will continue to work to develop the Professional Learning Community at our school.
