tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41991766688373695892024-03-05T00:18:05.917-05:00I Teach Therefore IPodOwnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.comBlogger233125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-38118930494091224502017-10-31T19:16:00.000-04:002017-10-31T19:16:11.602-04:00Halloween Post - What is truly scary?My Halloween Post - What is truly scary?<br />
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After having endured the positive and negatives of social media for years while doing what so many people attest is really great work at my school, I have come to the following conclusion - Facebook is scary. No change that, Facebook gives a platform to people who are scary. While so many great things can be accomplished via social media, Facebook and other platforms provide folks who have an agenda the opportunity to bully folks who truly don't deserve it. Where else in your life, or in this universe, can you say whatever your want, free from repercussions or reprisals? While I sometimes feel the desire to fire back at the haters, when you get into an argument with a fool, after a while it's hard to tell who is the fool. So I guess I'll just drop back and punt, turn the other cheek, and take solace in the fact that karma always catches up these folks. It's like you should never go to the grocery store when you are hungry. You should never post when you are upset or angry. Me? Not angry, just frustrated. And a little sad. Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-91766983033587491882017-10-30T19:34:00.001-04:002017-10-30T19:34:33.811-04:0022 Page Views?Come on now! That last post on Real Writing was good. It only got 22 page views today??? I guess that's what happens when you post like once a year and people stop reading your blog. Please feel free to share that post, as well as my blog address with folks who might be interested in trying to stop the "big stakes testing" runaway train from completely derailing any hope that public education might have in the years ahead. Thanks for reading and spreading the word.Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-65767652443631831352017-10-29T13:14:00.000-04:002017-10-31T06:53:18.347-04:00What is Real Writing?When you think about why and how you write as a "grown up", do you ever have to respond to a question after you have read a story or an article in a magazine or a newspaper? (e.g., . "Write an essay analyzing how the author’s organization of the passage helps the
reader to understand the tasks. Use information from the passage to support your
response.") This Text Dependent Analysis prompt, or TDA, comes directly from the South Carolina Department of Education website and is a sample of the type of question contained on the SC Ready writing assessment for 9 and 10 year olds in South Carolina. There are a number of writing tasks that I take on as a "grown-up". Thankfully it's not responding to a prompt like that one. How would you respond? I know, right? <br />
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Unfortunately, most of my "grown-up" writing is centered around responding to someone's inquires via email. While lacking opportunities to be creative, being an effective communicator in the genre of " email writing" is critical. I don't tweet, but there a numerous examples in today's political world of what happens when folks that aren't necessarily the best writers in this genre open their mouths and open the floodgates. <br />
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I like to fancy myself a fairly effective "real writer" as well. I write a weekly newsletter to my school community that has been very well received over the past four years by an audience of about 250 readers. This blog has over 100,000 page views. Hopefully some of the visits and revisits to my blog are related to the enjoyment folks get from reading my posts. <br />
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My point to this post (yes I am finally getting to it) is that writing should be about creative expression, not about formulaic responses to TDA's. I want my students to love writing, to be excited about the possibility of sharing their thoughts and feeling with others in their lives. I want them to be able to write mysteries, and poems, and love letters, and fables, and blog posts, and lyrics to songs, and anything else that shows who they are and who they hope to be. <br />
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Unfortunately, as long as there are TDA's, and whatever else the test makers come up with in the future to "judge" writing proficiency, kids across this country will learn to hate writing. And that my friends is a crying shame. In the words of Gustave Flaubert, <i>The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe. </i><br />
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I believe we are going down the wrong path.<br />
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Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-39330510410209394782017-10-20T08:34:00.000-04:002017-10-20T15:08:16.748-04:00So how do you judge a school's success?So how do you judge a school's success? How good is your child's school? <br />
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Does anyone really believe a school's performance can be determined by how a subgroup of the total school population, sometimes as young as 8 years old (that's right - 8 years old) scores of a battery of tests that are entirely too long, while at the same time too narrow, written (devised is probably a better word - sounds a little more contrived) by educrats who have no idea what skills or knowledge our kids will need in the future? In the words of Chris Berman, "C'mon man!"<br />
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Even the folks at ABC news get it. (I know, shocker!) In a post entitled <u>Future skills: Report reveals tools school kids will need to thrive in jobs market of 2030,</u> the authors outline what schools should be focused on as we prepare kids for this uncertain future. You can check out the post at the following link:<br />
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<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-27/what-skills-will-the-future-generation-of-workers-need/8747610">http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-27/what-skills-will-the-future-generation-of-workers-need/8747610</a><br />
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As I read this and almost identical articles about what kids will need to succeed, I see so little correlation with our current curricula. Why? It's a classic "tail wagging the dog." As long as we spend hours, change that, days, change that, weeks, change that, months in pursuit of putting up a good score on state mandated accountability tests, we will continue to do a tremendous disservice to our children. The saddest part to me? So many folks in this business who I believe truly want to do what best for kids, have gone down the rabbit hole, like lemmings into the sea. I think about the Lorax (note: The author's name deleted here to avoid controversy), who stood up, confronting the madness and said, "Who will speak for the trees?" Well, "Who will speak for the children?" <br />
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"C'mon man!"<br />
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<br />Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-72174230205006946302017-10-10T09:28:00.000-04:002017-10-10T09:28:30.525-04:00Checking In...Hi All,<br />
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I just wanted everyone to know that I am still alive, still trying to change the world, and still so crazy busy that I have not been able to carve out the time to post. My apologies. I'll be posting more often in the coming days, talking about technology and what's going on at Carolina Voyager Charter School. <br />
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I'll also be using my blog as a personal therapy tool as we try to avoid going down that rabbit hole where so many schools have gone, chasing test scores and preparing kids for testing rather than life. Yeah, our kids didn't do as well as they had done the year prior on the end all and be all state assessments and we find ourselves doing a lot of self-reflection. I'll keep you "posted" on our progress. <br />
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Thanks for reading!Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-37548684786135963492016-01-15T11:22:00.000-05:002016-01-15T11:24:36.910-05:00Marathon Kids Running Club at Carolina Voyager Charter School<span style="font-size: large;">When I envisioned starting a Marathon Kids Running Club at my school, I figured I might have 25 students sign up to run each week. By the second week of our program, I had 113 runners (out of student body of 129 kids!). Our Marathon Kids run 1 mile during their Monday PE class, 1 mile after school on Tuesdays, and 1 mile on Fridays. In addition, we encourage our children to run and track their miles outside of school. Our goal for this school year is for our kids to run 104. 8 miles, or the equivalent of four marathons. Just recently we were awarded a substantial grant from Marathon Kids and Nike to cover the costs associated with the operation of our club. A special thanks goes out to Nurrie Wilson for her support of our kids.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">David Quick, reporter for the Charleston Post and Courier, published an article this week about our running club. Check it out at the link below.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20160112/PC1211/160119843/tapping-the-marathon-goal-for-young-students</span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-53133366956849590272015-10-17T09:44:00.002-04:002015-11-04T15:11:41.269-05:00First Marathon Kids Running Club in South Carolina <div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: .3pt;"> This fall, Carolina Voyager Charter School
kicks off their own chapter of Marathon Kids, an exciting new running
club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marathon Kids was born out of the
belief that kids deserve to live happier, healthier lives. Kay Morris, a
self-described “middle-aged, slow runner,” founded Marathon Kids in 1995 after
being motivated by completing her first running log. She created a program
based on the idea that this same simple concept could motivate kids, boost
their physical activity and introduce them to the joy of running. Marathon Kids has partnered with Nike to take this youth running program to the next level. So far, Marathon Kids has transformed the lives of over two million children.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: .3pt;"> Marathon Kids at Voyager meets weekly after school on our campus. All parents and family members are invited to join us each week for our run. Over the course of the year, our Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third grade students will run the equivalent of two marathons (54.2 miles). Their last mile will be a community celebration at a surprise site off campus. For each mile they complete, students will earn charms to proudly display on their Marathon Kids necklaces. Once finished their first marathon, they will receive specially designed Nike T-shirts and a certificate of completion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: .3pt;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Marathon Kids Club at Carolina Voyager is one of a number of wellness programs
being offered at the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goals
of Voyager’s Wellness Committee are to provide educational activities to
promote our student’s physical and mental well-being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other wellness activities at the school include
planting, caring for, and harvesting food from our school garden, participating
in cooking and nutrition activities with the Executive Chef Kevin of Indaco
Restaurant Charleston, learning with Dr. Warr, our MUSC Adopt-A-Doc, learning
about nutrition through our Wellness newsletter, and participating in two daily
recess periods. All of these activities are building life-long habits that will
ensure our children live happier and healthier lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: .3pt;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> Carolina Voyager is excited to be the first Marathon Kids Running Club in the South. We join hundreds of other clubs all across the nation, running for a healthier life. Be on the lookout for our kids sporting their Marathon Kids shirts at one of the many road races that are such a part of our Charleston community.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; letter-spacing: .3pt;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> Anyone interested in learning more about the Marathon Kids program at Carolina Voyager may contact Dr. Harry Walker, School Leader, either by phone (843-203-3891) or by email (hwalker@carolinavoyager.org) We welcome donations to support this great program for our children. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-89181926574844652162015-09-14T19:16:00.000-04:002015-09-14T19:16:00.369-04:00A Positive View of School Choice<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The school choice and charter school
movements have taken it on the nose in recent discussions related to
reformation efforts in the Charleston County School District.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great many conversations have been
generated following the publication of the Post and Courier’s recent series on
school choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While most of the
attention has focused on the unintended consequences to some area schools, we
need to balance the conversation and not lose sight of the positive impact that
school choice has had across Charleston County.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The need
for greater diversity in the downtown schools is a common thread heard at each
Charleston County Board of Trustees Meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While everyone embraces the concept, little headway has been made to
ensure that district schools reflect their surrounding neighborhoods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While a principal in a traditional public
school, I came to view public charter schools as somewhat an enemy of public
education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, as I begin my second
year at the helm of a successful charter school, I have come to recognize that
charters are not the problem, but rather an important part of the solution to
fixing what is troubling the public schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can they help address the issues facing downtown schools in CCSD?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe they can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our charter is successfully making inroads to
help reknit the social fabric in this city we so proudly call home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carolina Voyager Charter School, located
downtown at 30 Race Street, is offering school choice to a diverse group of 130
children and their families, many of whom have had few choices in the past for
their children’s education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Located in
the same downtown zip code as the district’s schools with the highest
percentage of minority students, Voyager’s student body is one of only nine
CCSD schools (out of a total of 84 schools) that come close to mirroring the
demographics of the school district.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
current student population is 48% White, 40% African American, and 6% Hispanic.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over 40% of our children qualify for
free or reduced lunches. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While our
students come from all over Charleston County, nearly half reside in downtown
or in North Charleston neighborhoods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our parents come from all walks of life; single parents struggling on
public assistance, doctors and nurses, street sweepers and sanitation workers, law
enforcement and firefighters, account executives, and restaurant and
hospitality workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our children are
learning to participate and contribute effectively in an environment that
reflects the society in which they will need to grow and prosper in their
future lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our first year of operation,
significant growth in student achievement was recorded in both and reading and
math.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The overwhelming majority of our
students exceeded one year’s growth in their reading skills as measured by the
Fountas and Pinnell Reading Benchmark Assessment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students reading on or above grade level in
Kindergarten increased from 25% in the fall to 71% in the spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In First Grade, students meeting or exceeding
expectations for reading increased from 16% to 74% over the course of the
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The percentage of second graders
reading on or above grade level increased from 64% to 85% from the fall to the spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Math, Student Growth Percentile Scores on
the STAR assessments exceeded expectations in all three grades. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In addition to the pride we feel about
our students’ achievements, we are proud of our diversity and our sense of
community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They provide me with daily
reminders of the feelings of unity and togetherness that followed the tragedy
at Mother Emmanuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unraveling
segregation in our schools is no simple task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one single approach will work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are islands of hope and promise right in the midst of our
community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our charter school is one
such place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Readers can learn more about
Carolina Voyager by visiting our website at <a href="http://www.carolinavoyagercharterschool.org/">http://www.carolinavoyagercharterschool.org/</a>
or our Facebook Page at <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-field-code: " HYPERLINK \0022https\:\/\/www\.facebook\.com\/CarolinaVoyagerCharterSchool?ref=hl\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022 ";"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">https://www.facebook.com/CarolinaVoyagerCharterSchool?ref=hl</span></span></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also invite interested readers to call the
school at (843) 203-3891 to arrange a tour.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Harry Walker, Ed.D<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Founding School Leader<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Carolina Voyager Charter School<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-71946230495046588832015-09-07T21:12:00.000-04:002015-11-04T15:12:01.479-05:00Still reading? I'm still trying to change the world...<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I stink at blogging. Seriously stink. So sorry. I certainly don't deserve 52,300 page views. Nine months since my last post? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Life continues to get in the way of sharing news with the world. We continue to change the world, one small corner of it at a time. Current project - changing the social fabric of Charleston, SC. Can one school really alter the face of public education in a city school system that after years of good intentions, remains pretty much segregated and under performing? Margaret Mead said it best - Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. We are small, but we are thoughtful, and at times think we should be committed. You can catch up on the latest happenings at our sweet little school in Charleston - Carolina Voyager Charter School at:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">https://www.carolinavoyager.org</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading and for the umpteenth time, I'll try to do a better job of posting. Promise... Yeah, right.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-8466868530140766532014-12-27T19:05:00.000-05:002014-12-30T08:26:21.107-05:00Got Code? Carolina Voyager in the News (Again)<span style="font-size: large;">Great news for anyone still reading my blog. I am not dead. Just dead tired from trying to change the world...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Opening this new charter school is more work than I could have ever imagined. But, more importantly, the most important work I have never done. Ah, the world of charters. The stories I could tell, and I will, once I don't have to play nicely with folks who say they stand for children and clearly do not. But, I'm in the South and one of the first rules of Southern civility is to be nice even to people who are not nice to you or the charter movement. I wish they followed the same rules. There's a book in here. Just not now.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, it's about my amazing staff and students and the work we are all doing down here in South Carolina. Here's the most recent piece from the Charlestown Post and Courier. Check it out below:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20141226/PC16/141229680" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.postandcourier.com/<wbr></wbr>article/20141226/PC16/<wbr></wbr>141229680</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I won't promise again that I will post more often as I barely have time to come up for air (and Cabernet). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Public education is in trouble. Charters so want to help. We are not the enemy...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-37002841374451753222014-10-04T09:53:00.000-04:002014-12-30T08:24:29.798-05:00Updated Contact Information<span style="font-size: large;"> A number of people have reached out requesting updated contact information. I am now the Proud Principal of Carolina Voyager Charter School in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. You can reach me at hwalker@carolinavoyager.org or by phone at (843) 203-3891. Please feel free to reach out to collaborate.</span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-23448142871746167552014-09-03T09:12:00.001-04:002014-09-03T09:12:43.900-04:00Carolina Voyager Charter School in the News<span style="font-size: large;">A big thank you goes out to Amanda Kerr, Education Reporter, for the article she penned in Charleston's Post and Courier newspaper. The article, published yesterday, highlighted the blending learning program we are implementing with our kindergarten, first and second graders. You can read the article at the following link:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20140902/PC16/140909991/1006/ </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This will be the first of many articles published highlighting the great work being done by our children, teacher and parents. Stay tuned..... </span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-80458943650102446922014-07-19T18:45:00.000-04:002014-07-19T18:45:54.659-04:00The Right Perspective in this Age of Over-Assessment<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;"> Thanks
to Jennifer, our Project Director, for sharing this link with me, which of
course, allows me to share it with you. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;"> In this
culture where it seems some schools spend as much time testing as teaching,
comes this breath of fresh air from a colleague in England. All
assessments, yes even those Holy Grail Assessments -<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;"><span>PARCC</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;">and Smarter Balance
(always reminds me of the fake butter) are only snapshots of a child, a small
slice of what makes up that individual student. My brother-in-law, a
photographer, used to tell me you have to shoot a whole roll of film to get
just one good picture that truly captures the subject. Snapshots may be
out of focus, shot at the wrong angle, or at the wrong time.
Snapshots may or may not reflect the image on the other side of the lens.
The same holds true when assessing children. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;">Check
out this letter from the principal of a school in England. I
got chills. I know it will have the same effect on you or else you
wouldn't be reading my blog. Pass this along to
other like-minded educators...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;"><br />
After receiving their standardized test results, students at the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;"><span>Barrowford</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;">Primary School in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;"><span>Lancashire</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;">,
England received a letter from their principal Rachel<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;"><span>Tomlinson</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;">.
The letter, posted below, reminds students of all the things a standardized
test doesn’t measure. The letter was inspired by fellow educator Kimberley<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;"><span>Hurd</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Georgia;">,
who penned a blog post last October…: </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: auto; text-align: start; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #660000; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://twistedsifter.com/2014/07/principal-writes-to-students-about-standardized-tests/" target="_blank"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">http://</span><span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">twistedsifter</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.com/2014/<wbr></wbr>07/principal-writes-to-<wbr></wbr>students-about-standardized-<wbr></wbr>tests/</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-74356161625451294712014-07-15T07:55:00.000-04:002014-07-15T07:55:27.806-04:00Up and Running, Like 90 Miles an Hour! So much for my New Year's resolution to be a better, or at least more regular blogger. My latest adventure into the charter school world has monopolized my world as of late. Moving forward, I pledge to try to do a better job of documenting, through my blog, our school's journey in our first year.<br />
<br />
As an life-long educator, opening a Charter School is a dream come true, it's just that you never get to sleep in order to enjoy the dream. Having spent all of my career in large public school systems, I have also had at my disposal an equally large network of support personnel to handle the A to Z of school operations. Got an issue? Pick up the phone and call one of the offices. Pick up the phone now? I reach my own voice mail. In the past two weeks I've learned more about accounting, budgeting, finances, payroll, purchasing, custodial, infrastructure, compliance, ADA, benefits, human resources, and the list goes on and on. I am a shining example of an old dog being able to learn new tricks. While at the time I was not so thrilled to be learning all of these new things, as the School Leader, I have a much better handle on the big picture, all of those things that have to be in place so that when those little guys show up on the first day of school, nothing gets in the way of them having a stellar school experience.<br />
As building upgrades are being completed, infrastructure is being installed and classroom furniture, technology and materials are being delivered, I am now more focused on the teaching and learning aspects of what will make our school so special for our boys and girls. The vision, so artfully developed and articulated by our Charter Committee, is becoming a reality right before my eyes. Stay tuned for additional posts chronicling the experience of building a charter school from the ground up. In about a month, the kids will be arriving at Carolina Voyager Charter School and we'll be ready for the adventure of a lifetime.Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-14791174110755675602014-05-28T18:06:00.001-04:002014-05-28T18:06:54.738-04:00Where Do I Get My 411?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In this day and age, I can’t believe I find myself posing this
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do I get my
information?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Online, of
course!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Google it, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t remember the last time I picked up a reference book to search
for anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I pack to move to
South Carolina, I find myself donating dictionaries, thesauruses, atlases,
reference books, and almanacs to the Salvation Army, doubtful that I will have
any use for any of them, unless of course the Internet goes down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that case, the world would have to
shut down anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Have you seen
that South Park episode?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
why this post?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was walking
through my school library today, I observed my Media Specialist teaching a
lesson on using print resources materials, posing questions such as, “Which
reference book would you look in to find the population of the United States?”
Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you mean the population
in 2011 (or even earlier when the book was published), or the real time population
today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had a question about population, it would be much more interesting like looking at
demographic trends over time in cities, regions or counties in my state or country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you enter these types of variables into
your reference book and then resort the data?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are we teaching kids to access static print resources
when the world is at their fingertips?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And therein lies the rub and one of the reasons I am looking to lead in a less
static environment. Parents are entrusting me to
take care of their children's education when they are away from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> They don't need their parent's education, most of which is, or soon will be, obsolete. </span>The world is dynamic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Too many of my colleagues and our schools are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I want to be able to live and work and explore in the here and now (and the
future).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If something needs to
change because it doesn’t make sense, I want to be able to do it, without focus
groups, curriculum review committees, pilots, let’s wait until next
year, and that’s not how we have always done it. I wish I had made this
big move earlier in my career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
then again, maybe I would not have appreciated it as much as I do today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Make a difference, especially if you are mired in one of the those thousands of bureaucracies across the country known as school systems. Create change. If not you, who? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> In my mind I’m going to Carolina…. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-59289354664907486082014-05-19T10:35:00.000-04:002014-05-19T10:35:53.063-04:00Carolina Voyager Charter School in the News<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The vision of Carolina Voyager Charter School is getting closer and closer to reality. The word is spreading about the innovative and child-centered programs that will be offered to children on the Charleston peninsula. This past weekend, I appeared on one of the local news shows in Charleston for an interview </span>about<span style="font-family: inherit;"> our school. You can check out the piece linked below:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">http://www.abcnews4.com/category/192556/lowcountry-live </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> CVCS is going to be a exemplary program, one that is certain to draw a great deal of attention in the coming years. Continue to follow this blog as I chronicle the process of operationalizing a vision into an actual school program. My next post will present our curriculum framework, incorporating research-based practices in an innovative platform. </span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-18976642244365218792014-04-30T18:52:00.000-04:002014-04-30T18:52:34.961-04:00Chasing Beautiful Questions<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> In a recent address to Howard County Public School Principals, Dr
Freeman Hrabowski, President of the University of Maryland at Baltimore County,
spoke of the need to develop our student’s curiosity as one of our most
important missions. This same
sentiment has been expressed in works by some of the biggest thinkers out there
(Tony Wagner in <i>Creating Innovators</i>,
Amanda Ripley in <i>The Smartest Kids in the
World</i>, Yong Zhao in <i>Catching Up or
Leading the Way</i>, and one of the smartest people I know, Stephanie Harvey in
<i>Strategies that Work</i>). Steph also says “Smart isn’t something
you are. Smart is something you get.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need to ensure those kids who enter our school brimming with
questions and curiosity, leave our school even more curious and asking even
greater, or more beautiful questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, too many schools today are not set up to foster this kind
of inquiry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time kids leave
school, we have retrained their naturally curious brains, requiring them to
answer our questions much more frequently than they are encouraged to ask their
own questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The future will
require so much more of our current students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Information is no longer king, as it can be accessed
instantly as needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Curiosity is,
and will continue to be the new currency.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The motivation behind this post, besides the years of trying to change
the system?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well oddly enough, it
was an article I read in the Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine on one of my recent
trips to Charleston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The article
entitled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chasing Beautiful Questions</i>
was written by Warren Berger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr.
Berger also published a book entitled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A
More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas</i>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can check out the Spirit
article below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be curious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask some beautiful questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go ahead, you can do it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.spiritmag.com/features/article/chasing_beautiful_questions/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.spiritmag.com/features/article/chasing_beautiful_questions/</span></a></div>
Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-89468117362484043772014-04-29T10:20:00.001-04:002014-04-29T10:20:30.200-04:00Charter Schools – Good or Bad for Public Education?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Being in public education for over 30 years, I had always viewed charter
schools as the public school enemy #1, a threat to those of us working hard to
be all things to all children regardless of the plethora of challenges they
brought with them when they walked through our doors.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">If you had asked me if charter schools were good or bad for
public education, my answer would have been a definitive - bad!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">What I have come to realize is that I
was asking the wrong question.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">The
right question is, Charter schools – good or bad for our children?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Framed that way, the answer is a
definitive - good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In public education, we have got to get past the notion that charter
schools are somehow a threat to public education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, they may be one of the only ways to save it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How, you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While we have been talking about transforming education since the earth
cooled, for the most part, schools still look and function pretty much like
they have for decades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, we’ve
gone from rows to table groups and blackboards to white boards, but the basic
structure of schools remains unchanged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That might be fine if the world weren’t changing so quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The uncertainty of what our current
students will need to know in the future makes an even stronger case to examine
our current (or should I say past) practices and come to the realization that
we need to do things differently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Change in institutions has been historically slow, painfully so at most
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generally speaking, the
larger the organization, the greater the resistance and the slower the process when
trying to do things differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Implementing even relatively minor changes in a public school setting
can take years, mindful of involving all constituents in the planning cycle
through the use of forums such as focus groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After months (or years) of iterations, compromises, pilots,
feedback, data reviews, etc., we find the change had little impact on student achievement,
as it really wasn’t that big of a “change” to begin with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So can anyone transform schooling, as
we have known it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charter schools present a structure and a culture where innovation is
embraced and where significant change can be more rapidly implemented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such, charter schools can be an
incubator for innovation, a lab school if you will, where real changes can be
implemented, quickly evaluated, and disseminated widely not only to their
sponsoring districts, but across the globe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charters can be the risk takers, the outside the box
thinkers, the “we can figure this thing out folks” without the constraints of
going through the laborious, and sometimes painful process of implementing
change in school systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we
really want to transform education?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Look to charters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They should be viewed as the best friends of public education, not the enemy. </span></div>
Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-32848129851817519672014-04-28T08:38:00.000-04:002014-04-28T19:01:33.171-04:00What If You Ran the Zoo?<span style="font-size: large;">What if you had the chance to start a brand new school? What if you could implement all of those innovative ideas and practices, those things you know you should be doing with and for kids to prepare them not only for the assessment du jour, but more importantly for their lives? What if in addition to academics, you could focus on those critical social emotional competencies that will ensure your students are able to meet the demands of the uncertain future that lies ahead? What if you were bound to the Common Core, but you were able to decide how you would get the kids to where they needed to be? What if every child in every classroom had access to a variety of technologies and rich digital content, not only in school, but also at home? What if you could hire your own staff from scratch, ensuring they shared your vision and passion for innovation?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Would you do it? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I said, "I'm all in!" I would like to introduce you to the Founding School Leader of the Carolina Voyager Charter School in Charleston, South Carolina - <b>ME!</b> CVCS will be an amazing place for our children. (You can Google us or see an earlier blog post for the link.) Building this school from the ground presents incredible possibilities, as well as daunting challenges. In the coming months, I will be sharing my experiences through this blog as we operationalize our vision for CVCS. You may want to follow this process in case you are ever in the enviable position that I find myself in this year. After 34 years in public education, I am completely re-energized at the opportunity to finally not only think outside the box, but implement outside the box as well. Stay tuned for the next posting - Are Charter Schools Good or Bad for Public Education?</span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-41445123543401948242014-04-08T17:42:00.000-04:002014-04-08T17:42:09.401-04:00Phone Books? Really?<span style="font-size: large;"> So I arrived home this afternoon to a brand new phone book in a plastic bag dropped on my front porch. I could see if I had ordered it, or if someone had called from the phone company and asked if I was in need of one, but there it was, unsolicited and definitely unwanted. Okay, now I admit to be a bit over the hill. I even remember pulling the yellow pages out of the kitchen junk drawer to find a plumber, but why are they still printing phone books today? Or at the very least, why are the printing them and distributing them to everyone? So maybe today's kids' alphabetizing skills are not as developed as mine and most probably couldn't tell you what a guide words is, but so what? Obsolete is as obsolete does (a twist on Forrest Gump). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Now don't get me wrong, I wouldn't classify myself as a tree hugger or environmentalist (although I faithfully recycle), but what a waste of natural resources! I've got myself on no call lists. How do I get on the no phone book list?</span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-52520192852448183572014-04-08T14:04:00.001-04:002014-04-08T14:04:54.735-04:00Are you a 21st Century Teacher?<span style="font-size: large;">You first reaction is likely, "Why of course I am!" I read about the latest innovations in teaching, learning, and technology. I follow a number of bloggers, collaborating on promising practices. I own and iPad and an iPhone and I have an iTunes account. In order to ensure you are setting the bar high enough, check out this post from Lisa on the blog, I Love EdTech. I thought I was pretty savvy, but I have a lot of room for growth. How about you?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">http://blog.simplek12.com/education/21-signs-youre-a-21st-century-teacher/ </span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-15823460199624745232014-04-08T00:56:00.000-04:002014-04-08T00:56:02.670-04:00Technology Underutilized?<span style="font-size: large;"> So I'm sitting in an airport on my third weather delay (one delay was because we had to wait to swap out our airplane for a different one because the windshield wiper was broken -seriously) and I am sitting across from four elderly ladies (yes much older than even me), each of which have their own iPhones in their respective zebra, mirror, bejeweled, and one understated plain case, and I'm thinking to myself, how cool is that? Are they surfing the internet for up to the minute weather reports to calculate when we might be able to take off, checking the markets to see how their annuities are faring after a third day of world-wide declines, getting the latest from CNN to see if those pings might really be from the lost Malaysian flight? Uh, no. They are sharing YouTube files as Facebook friends of a dog dancing to Pharrell William's Cause I'm Happy. At first I was aghast. What a glaring under utilization of technology! How could the amazing power of this innovative technology wind up in the hands of old folks content that would use it solely for promoting a good belly laugh while watching a dancing dog? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I asked myself, "Would Steve Jobs be rolling over in his grave if he were to view this spectacle?" I'm going to go out on a limb here, not personally knowing the man, but I think he would be smiling. Shouldn't the value of technology be determined by the user? Who am I to sit in judgement of what is a worthy use of technology? Technology is a tool to be used to support the needs of the user. For me, it's about accessing information and collaborating with like-minded people across the world. So what? Technology is transforming so many aspects of our lives. From how we access our favorite shows and movies, to how we bank, to how we do our shopping. In addition to shaping how we communicate with family and friends, social media has sparked and supported uprisings and revolutions around the world. Maybe instead of poo-pooing these ladies watching dog videos, I should be celebrating they (1) have way cool devices, (2) know how to use them, and (3) are social networkers, which I might add appears to be working quite well for them. You go Grandma and your Facebook friends!</span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-86690327148139863802014-04-04T21:06:00.001-04:002014-04-04T21:07:04.548-04:00Carolina Voyager Charter School Link<span style="font-size: large;">Ooops! Forgot to provide you with the link to the school mentioned in my last post... Carolina Voyager Charter School.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">http://www.carolinavoyagercharterschool.org/ </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Check them out and keep an eye out..... </span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-61827105001830499112014-04-03T19:17:00.002-04:002014-04-03T19:17:55.809-04:00Carolina Voyager Charter School<span style="font-size: large;">Have you heard about the new charter school opening this fall in Charleston, SC? This new school, Carolina Voyager Charter School, is one you will want to keep your eye on. Blended learning, project-based learning, a focus on social emotional intelligence. This school will change the landscape of education, not only in Charleston, but well beyond. Stay tuned.....</span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4199176668837369589.post-75975712624680519992014-03-27T07:57:00.000-04:002014-03-27T07:57:37.097-04:00Is your Blended Learning Model built on a House of Cards?<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With so many folks jumping on the blending learning wagon, there is a tendency to put the cart before the horse, focusing on selecting digital content and determining the BL model before ensuring a solid infrastructure is in place. Francisco Castillo-Fierro, Director of Blended Learning at Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School in California gets it. Check out his piece, "</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 1.2;">How to Build a Rock-Solid Blended Learning Infrastructure - </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.3333333333;">Avoid the biggest disasters of new blended schools by getting these 3 things right. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">https://www.edsurge.com/n/2014-03-26-how-to-build-a-rock-solid-blended-learning-infrastructure/</span>Ownerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482092799341586820noreply@blogger.com0