Opportunity, Achievement, Relationships, Standards...I think that at some point today, I had a conversation with at least one person about each of these. Each one different, yet each one so important to our mission here at South Shore Vo-Tech.
This morning, we had the Opportunity to meet with our colleagues and practice consensus building as members of a professional learning community. As teachers, we are often in the role of consensus-builder for our students. It is therefore sometimes difficult to be part of a consensus building team of peers. Your efforts this morning were admirable and although it may not have been obvious to all, you took a large step toward cementing yourselves as a learning community rather than just a faculty. Thank-you for embracing the Viking activity (and your assigned seats) and putting your best foot forward.
Later in the morning, our NEASC Committees met, by department and/or by general committee to complete self-assessment reports and highlight our Achievements as a school. NEASC, although not always a favorite thing to do, gives us all yet another venue to work with colleagues that we may not often see. It gives us each a chance to look at our school and to discuss with each other our strengths, our almost strengths, and some areas of improvement. We are using NEASC as the vehicle, but think of it as the gift of time to engage in an activity with friends that might not otherwise be scheduled.
Your day ended with three hours of mandatory training on our new educator evaluation Standards. Anything mandatory, to me, often seems less attractive than something labeled as optional...but mandatory is mandatory and your willingness to bring your professional selves to a training on the new evaluation system is appreciated. As we move closer to implementation, please ask questions and make sure that if you have any concerns they are addressed. You should not view the new evaluation system as anything other than helpful to your practice as an educator.
Yes, I skipped one...Relationships. I wanted to save, what I view as the most important, for last. Unfortunately, English conventions dictate that OARS be spelled with the S at the end...At South Shore Vo-Tech, we do a nice job of providing opportunities for our students, we support their achievement and look for ways to improve our practice to meet the standards that have been set for us. Those are the easy ones. The challenging one is relationships. I believe that it is more challenging because the guidelines are vague. Our standards come in a book...turn to the appropriate page a find the road map for instruction. Relationships are not spelled out in the same way. Where is the book that tells us how to be a good colleagues? mentor? friend?
As we left the funeral this morning, the Priest asked everyone present to be mindful of how they talk to each other, to take care of the people in their world and to be mindful of the words that are spoken to others, because you never know when or if you will see that person again. Maybe, each in our own way, we could be a little bit more mindful of how we speak to and about each other and build not only a professional learning community, but also a community of students and adults that is welcoming to all.
Enjoy and your week-end,
Margaret
