EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM

Turns out the real path to greatness, requires simplicity and diligence. It requires clarity, not instant illumination. Mike Schmoker
Currently, I work for Waterford School District. I am in my eighth year of teaching second grade. I really enjoy teaching in an elementary classroom; however I also enjoy capitalizing on leadership opportunities outside of the classroom. I have worked on various county initiatives in the area of literacy and mathematics. Ive been involved in common core mathematics and writing curriculum development, participated in multiple data presentation teams, participated in district math, reading, and writing curriculum and common assessment work. One of my true passions is teaching and reaching at-risk students specifically in the area of literacy. Ive seen the power that effective literacy instruction can have on a student, their life and their future. I hope to leave an educational legacy one day of having a student become an acclaimed author, or just empower a regular citizen to use his or her voice to empower others.

May 31, 2012 Volume 1, Issue 1

Lauren Bauer - lbauer@oakland.edu

About the Author

Im also passionate about effective leadership in groups. In all my various positions Ive seen the power of having good leadership can make in a group or organization. I hope to one day be that kind of a leader. I am currently enrolled in OUs Ed.S. Program in Education Leadership. I received my M.A. in Curriculum and Teaching and my B.A. in Elementary Education and Social Studies from MSU. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband, family and "dog"hter Izzy. I also enjoy working out and watching and playing sports.

Contents: Image of Learner - 2 Image of Teachers - 2 What Defines a Leader 2 Beliefs 3 Values 3 Curriculum Value - 3

The Aim of Education

The purpose of education is to provide learning opportunities to all students, regardless of their background. Education helps in the complete growth of an individuals personality, and should include some type of character education as well as an understanding of morals. Being intelligent, and with character should be the goal of true education. Education should aim to teach students not just about people and skills, but how to get along and work together. Education should provide all students with the skills they need to go on to higher learning, or real life to pursue their own dreams and to have means to achieve goals of his or her life. Education must enable students to think critically and effectively. for themselves.

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllll Standard 1:

An education leader promotes the success of llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll every student by facilitating the llllllllllllllllllllll development, articulation, llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll implementation, and stewardship of a vision of llllllllllllllllllllll learning that is shared and supported by all stakeholders. llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

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EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM

Image of Learners
Teaching is essentially a transformational activity, which aims to get students to take charge of their learning. Richard Elmore
Standard 7: An educational leader understands and comprehensively applies technology to advance student achievement.

My image of a learner includes students engaging in reflection, collaboration, movement and engaging, relevant activities. Learners should be empowered to ask questions when they dont understand or need clarification, and should be aiming for true understanding and applications of concepts. Learners should be given additional time, support and practice in order to truly

understand concepts. Learners should be encouraged to use technology to supplement their learning, encourage further exploration and to create digital representations of their learning. Using an inquiry approach and tapping into students natural curiosity should empower learners to take charge of their own learning.

Standard 6: An education leader promotes the success of every student by understanding, responding to, and influencing the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

If you cant explain it simply, you dont understand it well enough. Albert Einstein
Standard 3: An education leader promotes the success of every student by ensuring management of the organization, operation, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment. I envision excellent teaching include meeting learners where they are at and raising them to higher levels of proficiency though differentiation, interaction and engagement. Good teaching begins with good pre-assessments, and continues with frequent formative assessments and can also conclude with a summative assessment. Good teaching is a product of reflection, professional reading, collaboration and heart. Whether reaching to touch the most academically gifted or troubled students in our classroom we do so with the whole child in mind. Students need instruction that is clear and memorable as well as relevant to their life and learning preferences. Students are our business, they are why we are here each day, our attitude and mindset towards them can make or break their day and spirit. Teachers can make a difference in a childs life; and should make it a positive one.

Image of Teachers

Standard 4: An education leader promotes the success of every student by collaborating with faculty and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.

What Defines a Leader?

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. - John Quincy Adams An excellent leader has a clear understanding of standards, curriculum, and assessment techniques and also must understand learning theory. They need excellent interpersonal skills, and benefit from prior experience facilitating groups. Leaders are willing to hold the staff they lead in high regard and have high expectations for performance from both staff and students. Successful leaders are insightful, inspirational, ethical, trustworthy, patient, empathetic, and enthusiastic, and must be themselves willing to collaborate and learn. Leaders who are followed have integrity and keep student achievement as their focus when making decisions.

EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM

The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You cant blow an uncertain trumpet. Theodore M. Hesburgh

Beliefs
I believe students who are different or who learn in different ways deserve accommodations and equitable opportunities. I believe students are best served when empowered to take control of their own learning. I believe redirecting student misbehavior should be done privately and with empathy. I believe all students can learn, and its or job to find out how they learn best, and modify our delivery as well as output methods for students that honor these differences. I believe students need time and practice with small amounts of new learning. Students need time to internalize learning, make connections and practice new concepts, before moving on to new learning. I believe all students deserve to spend time working in their zone of proximal development. Staying in this zone for independent work in essential to avoid frustrating students.
Standard 5: An education leader promotes the success of every student by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.

...learning always occurs in a context of taking action, and they value engagement and experience as the most effective strategies for deep learning. Richard DuFour

Values
empowerment freedom honesty loyalty friendliness respectfulness empathy -

optimism engagement generosity integrity fairness flexibility efficacy

Curriculum Value
A curriculum is the guide by which we operate day to day in our classrooms. We should have a standards based curriculum that is aligned both vertically and horizontally within our building, but also aligned with the outside world, as well as with college and workforce expectations. Our curriculum should be cohesive, clear, understandable, and consistent. It should also reflect rigor in content as well as the application of knowledge through higher-order thinking skills. Our curriculum should built around state standards as well as informed by the standards of countries that are top performing, so that our students are prepared to succeed in a competitive global economy. Our curriculum should also include some type of character education meant to guide students toward reaching their fullest potential as citizens. Curriculum can be adapted and modified to suit all learners with differing goals and objectives being possible.

Standard 2: An education leader promotes the success of every student by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.