http://administrators.net/
Thursday, June 28, 2001
School Administrators Collaborative
Open Forum
Kathleen - Hi, any
school administrators present?
CJ - I'm an administrator
of technology and student affairs. I also "feel" like I'm the principal's
sounding board most of the time.
kd - This seems to
be a rather small group. The evening must be much to nice to spend sitting
at our computer chatting! This is my first time on in this chat room. I
am working on my administrative certification this summer and found myself
on the computer looking for a study break.
CJ - Kathleen are
you an administrator? KD?
Kathleen - CJ, what
initiatives is your admin advancing for the next year? No, I'm not an administrator,
I'm here to get the conversation started.
CJ - kd, how many
years have you been teaching? I started an administration program but quit
when I found out I was pregnant.
Kathleen - Welcome
to those who are here for the first time, and to those reading along. I
hope some of you will log on to join the group for relaxed networking chat.
Kathleen - My husband
is a school administrator, semi-retired
CJ - We are working
on improving discipline and respect. As a faculty, we decided at the end
of the year evaluation that we were our worst enemies sometimes.
kd - My current position
was Activities Coordinator and Technology Facilator at our middle school.
I was just hired this week as an administrative facilitator in our building.
I have been teaching for 20 years. Went back and got my masters in 92 and
now am doing my certification.
CJ - I think all
retired teachers are in the "semi" state!
CJ - kd, sounds familiar.
Kathleen - In our
area school admins are in short supply, so there are many opportunities
for retired admins to fill interim positions
CJ - I think about
going back for my administration degree but really aren't sure whether
I want to deal with that end of things. I like dealing with the kids "in
the trenches".
CJ - Kathleen and
kd, where are you located? I'm in the Memphis, TN area and teach at a small
parochial school.
CJ - kd, what does
an "adminstrative faciliator" do?
kd - My current program
is unique and fits my needs quite well. I am Cedar Rapids, Iowa taking
my course work through the University of Northern Iowa. It is being delivered
by ICN.
Kathleen - I'm in
Connecticut
CJ - BC, how are
you this evening?
Kathleen - ICN?
BC - Hello-this is
my first time in this chat room. I am an elementary adm. in NH.
CJ - What is ICN?
Kathleen - Hi BC,
welcome.
CJ - BC...my first
time too. Tech Coordinator and Student Affairs Administrator
Kathleen - I'm very
happy to have you here for the first of many visits. 
Kathleen - I'm moderator,
and married to a school admin.
BC - That's great-I
love tech. and have often said that if I wasn't a Principal, I would enjoy
coordinating tech.!
kd - CJ: This is
a wonderful title that puts me into a career path as an administrator in
training with out the financial rewards put all the headaches! Actually
I will be responsible for attendance issues, special services, and some
discipline dealings.
BC - Kathleen-are
you the famous Kathleen of teachers.net fame?
Kathleen - Is technology
a major focus in your schools?
CJ - Question: My
principal is in her 4th year of "principaling". She is timid about confronting
teachers who don't follow policy...i.e. school behavior expectations. I'm
trying to give her words of encouragement. What to do?
Kathleen - LOL, famous?
Teachers.Net, yes.
BC - We met today
with the Leadership Team and our tech people. We just hired a full time
technician to handle the network, fix machines, etc. We are a small district,
K-12 about 1000 kids.
CJ - kd, how many
other principals working with you?
BC - Confrontation
is diffiicult, but gets easier the more you have to do it. My rule is not
to put it off but always do it with caring and respect.
Kathleen - CJ, perhaps
goal setting first, then placing those goals out to the group
CJ - I am the technology
janitor and teacher. Fix this, clean this up, etc. I'm expected to do it
all.
CJ - I love my job
though!
Kathleen - Ask the
group, how do *we* accomplish these goals?
Kathleen - CJ, be
sure to read Rob Reilly's articles about tech coordinating in the Teachers.Net
Gazettes
CJ - I think that
with the year we just finished and with some positive encouragement that
it is okay to let me know that I need to improve and that I expect it,
it will become easier with her.
kd - Kathleen: My
job as a technology facilator was to maintain our building network, support
teachers and work on class projects that involve technolgy with students,
maintain student accounts, and as CJ said "Fix it, clean up, and do a lot
of hand holding of those staff members who are still fearful of this teaching
tool.
CJ - Kathleen, "WE"
did a lot of that at the end-of-the-year meetings...it will soon be time
to walk the talk, as they say.
CJ - Thanks for the
teachers.net gazettes...how do I access them?
BC - Question: is
email part of everyone's culture in the building? Do teachers check email
everyday and truly utilize it?
kd - CJ: I will be
working with a building principal and an assoc. principal. Our building
has approx. 700 students 6-8th grade.
Kathleen - CJ, promise
not to leave now, but you can access the Gazette from the homepage http://teachers.net
or http://teachers.net/gazette for the current issue and http://teachers.net/gazette/backissues
for the, well, back issues
Kathleen - BC, not
in the districts I'm most familiar with, not at primary-elem. level
CJ - BC. we have
internet/email capabilites. Most check theirs. We have some who are scared
to do so....that's part of my job this next year...relieving the fear and
anxiety. Since we have our own domain name with email, all teachers will
be getting a new email address...no more hotmail.com
CJ - kd, since we
are usually all small schools, our parochial schools have one principal
who is suppose to do it all.
BC - CJ-yes, there
is still quite a bit of fear that the machine will "blow up". You have
quite a challenge!
CJ - kd, sounds like
you'll be having tons of fun! I actually enjoy the older elementary/middle
school kids.
kd - BC: E-mail is
our building. Nearly all communication is done by e-mail. This also is
a big part of how teacher stay in contact with many of our parents. I am
in a building where teachers turn their computers on in the morning and
the e-mail program is started and left on all day long.
CJ - BC...first...how
do you turn this contraption on!
CJ - We emailed our
school's weekly newsletter to parents who requested it. We received favorable
comments. Sending the lunch menu and having it posted on the school website
was the greatest hit I think!
BC - The Leadership
Team had a beginning discussion on the accountability aspect of email,
e.g. if you are working on a sped issue with a sped parent and you are
utilizing email, should you print hard copies and file, like you might
with phone conversations, etc.?
BC - CJ-yes, I started
our Email List that goes out once or twice a week. In our community it
has become a very effective means of communication. I suggest it for all
schools.
CJ - Yes, document,
document, document....hard copy...keep notes of telephone conversations,
parent notes.etc.
Kathleen - yes, I
would print hard copies
Kathleen - I teach...using
my digital camera to send photos taken of child during the day is a hit
with parents
CJ - BC, how many
in your school/building?
CJ - Kathleen, that
is a great idea! That would be great especially for special events.
BC - I guess the
question is, what do you print out and save, what do you store in an online
mailbox, and what do you print out-if you print everything it sorta' diminishes
the purpose of email----CJ-there are 280 kiddos in my building.
BC - Gotta' put my
three kiddos to bed-I'll log out and then be back. Thanks!
kd - We have used
an internet based program this past year. It is at www.virtualed.org. We
did a pilot with our teachers. Some where very excited and others looked
at it as just another thing to do. What is exciting about this program
is it can serve as an electronic assignment notebook in which parents can
receive a copy of what the teacher is doing each day in a particular classroom.
Teachers are also beginning to view it as keeping their lesson planbook
on the internet.
CJ - Save what you
wrote and any response. Start a folder for each student if teaches need.
Kathleen - BC, you
mentioned e-mail discussions related to sped questions and info, that's
what I would print out, anything related to having informed a parent about
needs
CJ - kd, any cost
ot virtualed?
CJ - Ok, Kathleen
and kd...what does your administrator expect in regards to teacher lesson
plans/planning?
Kathleen - CJ, just
an expectation that plans are available for a sub...I've worked for admins
who required us to turn them in weekly. In fact, when I worked for my husband,
he required that!
Kathleen - he wasn't
my husband then
CJ - Kathleen, you
must have impressed him with your plans!
kd - CJ: No cost
currently for this internet based program. The popularity may change that
down the road. Regarding lesson plans, my building principal expects plan
to be available and up to date. Teachers that he might be doing intervention
work with have been required to turn them in weekly.
Kathleen - LOL! I
guess that was it, CJ!
CJ - Okay re: lesson
plans...I've done it both ways. Previously worked for someone who collected
them every week. Now, the honor system is followed.
CJ - Kd, I'd like
to check that out.
Kathleen - I'll check
it out after this hour
CJ - Kathleen, my
friend married her principal too. THe kids thought it was "weird"...teachers
don't leave the schoolhouse you know.
Kathleen - right,
and they sure don't have first names!
kd - http://www.virtualed.org
Here is the link
CJ - Thanks kd. I
appreciate it.
CJ - kd, what made
you want to be an administrator?
Kathleen - keep talking,
I'll be back in a couple of minutes>>>>>>>>
kd - Interesting
question I have
had excellent role models as building principals during my 20 years. Also
the encouragement that I have received from them is a big part of why I
am interested in continuing in my career towards educational administration.
kd - I have to chuckle
however, This summer I am taking Special Ed. Law. WOW! This makes my head
spin!
CJ - But, what is
it about the JOB itself that makes it different from being a teacher...in
your heart and mind...your gut feeling, I guess.
CJ - I bet that is
a piece of work!
CJ - I went to virtualed.org.
How to you get your school onboard?
CJ - Never mind,,,
teacher didn't read the directions!
kd - My gut tells
me that I am a born leader. In the role as an adminstrator I would have
the opportunity to impact students, staff and community in a very positive
way. I see this opportunity as a way to make more of a contribution and
use my skills and talents in ways that sometimes become covered up by just
being in a classroom.
CJ - I'm sure that
you will be of great benefit. I'm especially impressed to see that you
add the community in the list of those of whom you will impact. I guess
I'm more of a behind the scenes mover and shaker.
Kathleen - Hi again.
Back to technology-do your schools still set up schedules by hand,or do
you use computer programs?
CJ - BRB, Kathleen...both
kd - CJ: There is
nothing wrong with that at all. I too acknowledge there are times when
behind the scenes is very appropriate given the situation and how it needs
to work.
kd - Kathleen: We
do it both ways as well
Kathleen - every
school needs both the behind the scenes and on stage people
Kathleen - do you
know the title of the software used for schedules?
Kathleen - not on
stage, but out front
kd - No I am not
familar with it.
CJ - kd, I see that
we all have our roles in order to accomplish our goals...team players.
Each is important and relevant. Shoot...I admire the school secretary...wouldn't
want to have her job!
CJ - Kathleen, not
sure about the title.
Kathleen - kd, why
do you think few school administrators participate in live chats such as
this? The most active group is early childhood-primary grade teachers.
Can't get secondary ed teachers out, can't figure out why.
Kathleen - agreed
about school secretary. as important as any good teacher or admin
Kathleen - the question
about participation is for CJ too
CJ - Kathleen, I
know my principal is so busy with other things...many evenings she isn't
at home. I think secondary teachers may be involved in other extracurricular
areas. Maybe it has to do with the ages of their children and their involvement
in their activities.
kd - Chuckle, chuckle!
How I know that. I volunteer to sit behind our front desk this spring when
both of our secretaries were out of the building one day. Whoa! Eye opening
and a knew appreciation for both of them. I knew they were worth their
weight in gold, however that experience really allowed me to be their spokesperson
and advocate.
CJ - Could it be
that EC teachers are female for the most part and administrators are male,
for the most part?
Kathleen - by the
way, most chat meeting transcripts are archived (link in left frame) http://teachers.net/archive
Kathleen - CJ, could
be, but why would males be less likely to participate? hmmmm
CJ - Gotta booted
off!
Kathleen - I wouldn't
be a bus driver for twice my teaching salary either
CJ - Kathleen, I
know my husband would find it difficult because it involves so much typing!
kd - Kathleen, I
would have to agree with CJ. I will, however, share this info. with my
cohort group that is with me this summer in my administrative program.
The rest of my group might have a great deal of fun with this. There are
19 of us.
Kathleen - true,
the typing/keyboarding is a problem for the males I know, esp those over
40
Kathleen - hi janny,
welcome to a meeting of school administrators. Are you of that group?
CJ - My dh uses the
three finger typing method.
CJ - Hi janny!
Kathleen - 3 finger?
kd - Hi Janny!
Kathleen - dh= darling
husband?
janny - Hi Kathleen
and all. I am an administrator want-to-be! I finished my degree 2 summers
ago.
CJ - Two fingers
on one hand and one finger of the other are all he uses for typing...Mavis
Beacon drives him nuts...a sure torture device!!!
janny - Another summer
of interviews!
CJ - Yes.. darling
husband.
Kathleen - janny,
be sure to watch the schedule for next month's admin collab meeting
CJ - What kind of
interviews janny?
Kathleen - janny,
not many positions available?
kd - My Assoc. Principal
will only read e-mails. It would take him approx. 10 minutes to get a couple
of lines typed.
janny - job interviews!
Kathleen - It seems
there is a great need for prof dev for keyboarding skills, that's a simple
but major roadblock
CJ - My husband usually
calls me in to be his secretary when he has something longer that a 3-sentence
paragraph to type.
janny - It seems
that there are more politics as you move up the ladder. It's who you know
or being in the right place at the right time!
CJ - Where are you
located janny?
CJ - Kathleen,,,it's
so hard to break bad habits!
Kathleen - me too!
and I can't read his handwriting, feel sorry for his secretaries
janny - A suburb
of Chicago.
CJ - janny, which
one?
Kathleen - janny,
are you applying out of your geographic area?
CJ - I went to school
in River Forest.
janny - I work in
South Berwyn and live in Wood Dale.
CJ - I did a social
services internship in Cicero.
janny - I am applying
all over the Chicago area.
kd - Speaking of
interviews. I am in a district were there will be approximately 35 administrative
positions that will have retirements in the next three years. This is from
central office on down.
janny - Wow CJ.
janny - Wow kd!
Kathleen - janny,
you need to go to kd's district
CJ - Janny, move
closer to kd!
janny - definitely!
CJ - janny, my BA
is in both elementary ed and social services...Masters in counseling. The
Lord sure knew what he was doing with me.
janny - Where the
heck are you kd?
janny - He did!
janny - Where are
you working now CJ?
Kathleen - I have
to leave, I hope you'll stay and chat for as long as you wish, and come
back each month for our School Administrators' Collaborative Chats. Read
past chat transcripts at http://teachers.net/archive
kd - I am only about
four hours from Chicago. I'm sure you could do the weekly commute. I am
located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It is on the eastern end of the state.
janny - See you Kathleen.
CJ - I'm a computer
teacher/tech director/student affairs administrator in a small parochial
school in Memphis, TN.
CJ - Night Kathleen.
kd - Bye Kathleen!
I will make sure and share this info. with friends.
janny - What took
you to Tennessee?
janny - What do you
do kd?
Kathleen - ,
do share and encourage colleagues to join us next time. bye, and thanks
for coming. Good luck janny.
kd - CJ: I look at
teaching jobs in Chatanooga (sp) about 6 years ago.
CJ - After I finished
my degree at Concordia in River Forest, I spent 3 years in Atlanta, 13
in the St. Louis area, and now this is my third in Memphis. Actually, prayer
brought me here. I knew it was time for a move....hubby and I prayed for
an opening somewhere and this position came up.
CJ - Chattanooga
is a pretty part of Tennessee.
janny - I received
my master's from Concordia.
CJ - Hubby up and
moved. He got a job about 6 months later working for the same company as
my brother who is in B'ham, AL.
CJ - janny! What
a small world!!! I know campus has changed since I graduated from there
in the early 80's.
kd - Janny: I was
an Activites Coordinator and Technology Facilitator at a Middle School.
I was hired just this week as an Administrative Facilitator and Activities
Coor. in my building.
janny - Wow. You
just felt like a change, huh?
janny - kd-congrats
on your new title!
CJ - Yes, we knew
a change for me was needed. And the way the Lutheran schools are networked
nationally, it makes it really easy to get let people know that you are
available.
janny - The campus
has and is changing! They have multi-level parking!!!
CJ - kd, does your
school have a student council, student leadership, or peer mediation?
kd - It is strickly
a horizontal career move, however very important in the scheme of things
when it comes to advancing in an administrative career in our district.
CJ - janny...multi-level
parking!!! Where is that? Next to David Jonathan or by the cafeteria/student
center?
CJ - kd, play the
game as long as you are in control.
janny - By the caf/student
center. They tore down some houses to make room for it.
CJ - Oh, how sad!
I remember those beautiful houses! Parking was a bear for commuters and
visitors.
kd - My middle school
has student council. We do not use peer mediation. Our student leadership
is a program that is actually offered as a summer program for students
who have been recommended for particiaption.
CJ - janny, any ideas
about student leadership programs or peer mediation.
CJ - what is the
difference between student council and student leadership?
janny - My last job
was in a k-4 building. I started a school spirit committee. We met once
a month to come up with ideas for activties for school spirit. I had one
rep from each 3rd and 4th grade room.
CJ - We found that
our student council was a popularity contest that resulted in having kids
who were unwilling to work. Student leadership council will be similar
yet will be nominated by students and faculty. I want them to have some
"power" and "input"...be a resource rather than simply a work horse.
janny - I just took
a training seminar on peer mediation with our school social worker. We
didn't get a chance to start any program this year.
CJ - janny, what
kind of things did you do with your spirit group?
CJ - who provided
your mediation training?
janny - We had school
spirit days...sports day, career day, dress like a teacher day! Ha!
kd - Well need to
go. Enjoy my chat and will look forward to more opportunities. Thank you
CJ and Janny
janny - We had school
spirit assemblies every other month.
CJ - janny...sounds
like fun.
janny - One fun activity
was The Great Pumpkin Estimation!
CJ - I guess I'll
go to. I'll say a prayer for you and your job search.
janny - It was. I
miss it.
janny - Thanks!!
Good night.
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