CEDO565 Week 6

My definition of leadership has not been changed, but..... it has reinforced my thoughts and what the expectations should be. I guess this class helped me realize that I could step up more as a leader and take on more roles. I don’t think everyone has the potential to be a great leader, but we all have some type of leadership skills. Each one of us can stand out in one area, or another. We need to find our strengths and run with it. Show people what you do best and help them. Working together is the key! Without communication there most likely wont be any success. So, I agree with the book that improving education starts within. It does……….if an institution can’t work as a group/unit….then who will make it work. An individual?? No! We need to communicate within and then move out to the community, parents, and other institutions around the school. You can’t stand without a solid base!!

CEDO565 Week 5

Systems Thinking Video:
I really liked the message that the video clip gave. We as teachers are a system, but we need to interact with each other. We need to work together, communicate, and collaborate. We are all parts of a system, but the system isn't going to work, if all the parts don't work together. It's as simple as that! The hard part is the communicating and getting everyone on the same page. I wish our teachers would see this concept and apply it to our school. If one piece is not connecting to the next.......we will not be successful......things fall apart and it starts from the top. Leadership from the principal is extremely important.
This class has been interesting and informative. What we think is common sense......is not always easy to apply. We know that we need leadership and communication skills...........but it's getting there that is half the battle.

CEDO565 Week 4

Well....... in class we did do wayyyy better in the game. We realized the more we talked the further we got. I guess it's true......communication is the key. Communication in every aspect of life is important and you don't get far without it! I thought the homework was "different" this week. It wasn't hard to come up with a situation that should have been handled differently, but it was hard to pick it apart. I do have to say that problems are easier to solve when you look back at them! I guess that goes with the saying.....shoulda coulda woulda
Otherwise, things are going good and I start work again tomorrow, so we are doing our group work tonight. It looks self explanatory, but we'll see :)

CEDO565 Week 3

Well.....another week is almost over. Almost time to go back to work.......and begin another school year! Where to start this week............
Well.....I had a thought while watching the "cheese" video. I think it would be a great thing to show during our inservice. Do you think some people would take a hint!!!! Hahaha
I really enjoyed the homework this week. The videos were really good and they made me reflect on my own teaching style, path in life, and where I am today. So.........my next goal for this class is not to come in last place again while we play our game. Haha.........We will prevail this week!!
Other than that I don't really have any major thoughts about class, or the book this week :(
Maybe I'm just tired.......but that's all I have tonight.

CEDO565 Week 2

Wow...... I just finished my virtual data retreat!! It took me a total of 6 hours!! It was really interesting and I feel like I learned a lot about my district and other districts around Wisconsin. I didn't know that all that information was available. I have been on the WINSS site before, but I never took the time to go through and really study the different graphs upon graphs of information. It was really cool to read some of the information.......I can be a nosy person.....so what a great way to be nosy about other schools and districts. Haha haha
I know that parents would go on there as well, but I don't think people realize how much information is available, or where to look for it.

I also enjoyed the chapters this week. I have to comment on two things that I read......1st..... in chapter 2: I love that the book talks about interviews not focusing on GPA's!! I have to say that I don't think we should be hiring idiots, but lets get serious........ Sometimes the really really smart kids in school have zero personality and could never teach. I was so happy to hear that personality and leadership should go further in an interview. As a teacher we all should know our content, but a teacher that had straight A+'s throughout college is not always going to be a good teacher!! The other thing that stuck out was work ethic. I have no tolerance for lazy people! I have had a job since I was 14 and as soon as I turned 18 I was working full time to save money for college. I went to school and worked full time in order to afford my bills and school. I know that I may be one of those exceptional people "aka freak who never sits" but I get bored easy. I need to stay busy with something.........going to the gym......going hiking.....walking.....biking.......doing school work.......working.......whatever it may be. I don't not like the words can't....fail.....give up...or tired! We all would like to take the easy route....take a nap...or give up when things get hard......but just imagine what the world would be like if we ALL did that!!!
Ok.....sorry about my rant......I guess it's the military family coming out of me :)

CEDO565 Week 1

I don't have a great deal to say about my leadership at my school. I guess I need to stand up more and be a leader. I've only been at my current job for 3 years and I lay low. It's not because I don't feel confident, but there was just to many things going on. I watched and listened a lot!!! I wanted to get me feet wet and feel things out before I started to put myself out there a great deal. I think every year that goes by I'll come out of my shell more and more. I want more responsibilities, but I also work at a private school that is fairly small. I don't feel like there are many opportunity to "lead". We'll see what happens this coming school year. I just feel young and new at my job.


I have to blog about the surveys we took...................I just feel strongly about it this week.
I think this weeks assignments helped me learn a great deal about myself. It's not often that I take a survey about myself and my personality. I don't think I have done one in over 5 years. It was interesting and informative to say the least. Haha I did enjoy it though. I really liked doing the surveys because I'm all about improving myself. I'm a little bit of a perfectionist. I wouldn't say I'm over the top, but I set goals that are pretty high. I'm not hard on myself if I don't meet all of my goals 100%, but I do think it's healthy to have goals in all areas of your life. The surveys helped me realize that I need to be less judgmental of others. I was a little shocked by this, but hey the results don't lie. I felt bad that I scored high, but that just gives me something to work on and change.
I wasn't surprised that I scored extremely low on the imagination portion of the leadership virtues survey. I'm not an imaginative person at all!!! I'm more of a realistic person. Haha
I never like cartoons as a child.........maybe I was never an imaginative person.........I never had imaginary friends either. Hahaha..........Ok......all jokes aside.....I really liked that assignment and I'm glad I took it. I learned a great deal about myself and what I need to do to make myself a better person. I think if you don't look at your weak areas and change them..........you'll never grow.

CED0555 Blog 3

WHOOOO HOOOOO I'm done!! Well........I'm sure I'll need to make some changes alone the way, but it feels good to complete another class. The portfolio has been a great deal of work, but it looks great. I'm glad to show off all the hard work I've done! The pace of the class was good and I was able to get things done on time. I really jumped in early and was able to sit back in the end. I had a hard time coming up with a project, but I thought of something last minute. I hope it works out ok..........but we'll see in our next class.