As I reflect back on this six week course I realized many things.  Action research can be a powerful tool when dealing with change.  The process that we went through proved that our action research team was successful in creating an engine of change on a small scale.  As a team we gained valuable insight into the process of action research and in turn we were able to work together to create an engine of change.

My action research team members and I should all be proud of each other. Some of us had never worked together before and yet we were able to see the importance for change as well as for seamless curriculum.  Without the help and support from my team members we would not have produced such a high quality, successful project.  Our dedication and commitmnet to change was the key to our success.  Action reasearch is important when dealing with change.  It is a process that will produce positive results when implimented correctly. 

To me imcorporating seamless curriculm into our schools is a critical step to the success and growth of our communities.   I feel that studnets should be able to make connections across the curriculum.  By doing so they are provided more oppertunities to become independent and critical thinkers.  Skills that many of today's students are lacking. 

I look forward to the oppertunities that will present themselves in the future.  I hold seamless curriculum dear to my heart. I would like to try to incorporate it on a small scale within my school this year.  I hope to build upon the work I have started here at FDU and take it to the next level.  I anticipate the coming year and the research that I will further conduct.          

Professional Development

By Joe Leconte

As we all know, teachers are required to a meet one hundred and twenty hour towards professional development within a five year span.  Teachers can gain valuable insight and knowledge into a plethora of topics that can be incorporated into their classes.  The students will then benefit from the teachers experiences and help them become better learners.   But are all teachers benefiting form their experiences.  Do all teachers see their experiences as education or bothersome.  Are the needs of the teachers being met through their districts teacher workshops?  How are teachers using the knowledge they have acquired from these workshops? 

Teachers can only benefit from professional development if the experience is relevant to them.   They are often given a small list of workshops to choose from for their professional development day. Teachers usually have no input into the types of program that will be offered by the district.  Because of this, they participate in programs that have no relevacne to them.  How many times have you heard a teacher say "that was a waist of time" after attending a workshop?  Districts need to collaborate with administration and faculty to provide teachers with relevant and meaningful experiences.  They need to find out what is important to them and seek out information in which they can be beneficial to teachers.   

Meaningful learning will take place only when teachers can personally draw connections to their professional development experience. When this takes place administration, teachers and students will all benefit from the experience.  Working together for the good of the school should always be the main focus of any district.                     

School Collegiality

Posted By Joe LeConte

Have you ever walked through a school and noticed that some people associate with only certain groups?  Did you ever walk in a lunch room and notice how it is separated by clicks?  When it comes to do projects do you see the same groups of people working together?  It is sad when we see students isolating themselves from others like this.  But in this case I am not talking about students; I am talking about the teachers.  All schools have their clicks, and while there is nothing wrong with forming friendships with people whom you have similar interest with, there comes a point where this can be harmful.  As teachers bonds become stronger they tend to isolate themselves from the others.

When a school lacks collegiality it tends to lose sight of the big picture.  There is no shared vision within the school.  All teachers are not working towards the same goals. When there is no shared vision and goals, teachers often feel as though they are working in a one room school house in which all decisions are to be made by themselves.  This can not be more evident then when we deal with new teachers.  New teacher needs the support, guidance and advice from all faculty members.  They need to feel as thought they are part of something special, something that all are working towards achieving.         

In order to achieve this, schools must have strong leadership. They have to have a leader that can express the philosophy and vision of the school to all of its members.  The leader of the school must convince all faculty members to to believe in the vision and convey it message through their every day teachings.  If all are working towards the same goal, a more collegial environment can be achieved.    

Does The Crime Fit The Punishment?

Posted By Joe LeConte

Most schools have similar punishments for students with disciplinary problems.  They are either given after school detention, in school suspension, Saturday detention or out of school suspension.  But are these punishments an effective deterrent for students with discipline problems?  Are these disciplinary tools doing more harm then good?  The answer to these questions is that these disciplinary actions do nothing more than isolate students (with discipline problems) from the general population and provide little if any meaningful experiences. This treatment is similar to how criminals are treated.  They are put in prison and isolated from the general public for a period of time until they are rehabilitated.  Statistics have shown that eighty five percent of convicts become repeat offenders and return to prison.  Now I am not saying that students with discipline problems will become criminal.  What I am saying is that they are being treated in a similar fasion to criminals.  A system that that is proven to be ineffective.  

When a student serves a detention or suspension, they are excluded from their daily classes and activites.  Being excluded from classes and activities, students lose out on a valuable education and meaningful experiences.  You can not take away education and experiences from students and expect them to grow from it.  There is no way they can benefit from this.  How can we make school discipline a more effective deterrent to disciplinary problems as well as provide meaningful experiences.        

Students have to be provided with a meaningful educational experiences while serving their punishment.  They should not be excluded from the general population.  They should be afforded the opportunity to reflect on their actions and be able to express their feelings.  Students with discipline problems should also help others in similar situations work through their problems.  Try to turn their negative actions into something positive.  If we allow students to feel as though their consequences to their behavior is a positive tool rather than a negative punishment, their poor choices are less likely to be repeated.    

School Management.

Posted By Joe LeConte

The success of many schools lies within its management.  Effective leadership is the key to a successful school.  The leader's ability to convey the school vision and philosophy to staff and students will have a positive effect on all who walk the halls of their school.  But what makes a leader an effective leader?  Is there certain characteristic one need to posses to be successful?  Why are people more willing to work for one person and not another.  Can a leader's style really make a difference in the production of his or her workers?  These questions hold the key to effective leadership.    

Effective leaders are all alike in one way; they all have a high degree of emotional intelligence.  When a leader has a high degree of emotional intelligence they are self aware, and are able to understand and recognize their moods, emotions, drives and recognize its effects on others.  They are self regulating and are able to control and redirect disruptive impulses and moods.  They will always think before they act.  They show a high level of  motivation, passion, energy and persistence about their work.  Leaders will always show empathy and understanding towards the emotions of others and will treat them accordingly.  Finally, they must posses a great deal of social skills.  School leaders have to manage relationships, find common ground among people and build networks and rapports with the school.         

Successful school administrators demonstrate lead management characteristics.  In a lead management style, managers, engage in discussion and ask for input from their workers.  They show and model what they expect from their staff.  They also evaluate their own work and provide their staff with the best possible work environment that they can.  As opposed to a less successful boss management style that does not consult with their workers on issues.  They set the standards and tell you what to do rather then show you.  All of this will leads to staff doing just enough to get by and resistance from the workers.  The workers will then become adversaries with management.

The Perception of Teachers.

Posted By Joe leconte

There are many misconceptions about teachers. Many of us are not aware of the true scope of the everyday practices of a teacher.  People often perceive the teaching profession as "easy".  We hear the criticism that teachers only work ten months out of the year, they get off all the holidays, and they get out of work at three o' clock.  What many people do not see is the countless hours teachers put in after the workday is over and on weekends.  They grade papers, prepare lessons, create tests, provide extra help and volunteer time to different clubs and activities.  When summer rolls around most teachers are off working a summer job, jobs they need because the are so grossly underpaid.  Staring salaries for teachers are significantly lower than many professions with similar degrees.  It takes a teacher at least twenty years to double their salaries while other professions have increased theirs by as much as 5 to 6 times in the same time frame.  Teachers are also the only profession where they must continue their education in order to maintain employment. No other profession requires that.  In many other countries the teaching profession is held in high regard.  It is looked at in the same light as a doctor or a lawyer.  In our country many parents, students and even board of education members lack respect for the teaching profession.               

Teachers are not only responsible for providing an education to students; they are also responsible for instilling morals and values into each and every student.  Lets face the fact that teachers see students as much as their parents do.  They can be a major influence on them.  While they are no substitute for their parents they do help provide a nurturing atmosphere for them.  If we think back to our educational experience we can remember at least one teacher who made a positive impact on our lives.  One that we will never forget.    

Lets try to respect teachers and all that they do.  Try to get a true understanding of their responsibilities and the sacrifices that they make.  Understand the great impact and influence they have on your children.  You can criticize them all you want, but without teachers you wouldn't be were you are today and your children will not be afforded the opportunity to succeed.      

Community Involvement: We Need Your Help.

Posted By Joe Leconte

The Dedicated Discovery School District has always held its relationship with the community in high esteem.  As we prepare for the future and the changes it will bring, we would like to ask our community members to become involved in the process.  True change can only take place if all members of our community are represented in the process.   

In the upcoming weeks and months, we will explore many aspects of our schools.  Some of which are in need of change.  School philosophy, mission, culture, curriculum, discipline, teacher issues and student issues will all be looked at.  We would like to work collaboratively with the community to develop and implement new programs.  

Here is were you come in.  Become involved in the process.  Make a difference.  Volunteer your time join on a committiee and become part of the solution, or just respond to this article and give me your thoughts on any topic.          

The Life World of Our School.

Posted by Joe Leconte

What are our schools about?  What do we believe in and what is important to us?  These questions need to be answered, and they need to be answered by the teachers, parents, and students of the Dedicated Discovery School District. 

We at the Dedicated Discovery District must have several beliefs in place in order to be successful.  First there must be a shared vision.  One that will help guide the school and all it encompasses to achieve its highest potential.  Next we need a set of values, values that will influence all that walk through our halls to reach their highest potential and develop into only the finest citizens.  Finally we all need to common goals.  Goals that are so scared that they are the guiding force to all we believe in.   

We must all support the belief system of our distric.  We need help and support form all.  Without  this our school district cannot be successful and will not be able to flourish in the future.  So get on board and help create a meaningful experience for all of us at the Dedicated Discovery School District. 

Passing the Budget.
Posted by Joe Leconte

Every year the Dedicated Discovery School district is faced with the challenge of passing the school budget.  Each year faculty members dedicate their time to stuffing mailers in support of the budget, passing out flyers door to door, and encouaging students and parents to vote for the budget.  This arduous task is often met with failure. 

When it comes time to vote, only a small percentage of registered voters comes out to the polls.  Most people do not realize the importance of voting.  And those who do vote often believe that passing the school budget only leads to an increase in property taxes.  While it is true, passing the budget can lead to increases in property taxes there are many benefits that go along with passing the budget.

Each year the Dedicated Discovery District attempts provides meaningful and authentic programs, materials, and technology through funding from the budget.  We believe that these tools will provide each student with the skills necessary to become highly productive members of our community.  It is through their success that our community will prosper.  And it is through your support of our budget that will make our community the ideal town to raise a family.

Change?
Posted by Joe LeConte

Within the up coming months, the Dedicated Discovery District will embark on some dramatic new changes.  As time goes by, all schools tend to go through some type change.  New practices, theories, and technologies come along every year.  Schools line up to be the first one's on the block to incorporate these latest trends.  But why change?  Is there a need for change? And if so how will we know? 

The Dedicated School District will not change for the sake of change. Nor will we change to keep up with our neighboring school districts.  Like other school districts that change by not changing at all, we believe that change is a natural evolution in the life world of our schools.  The changes we are about to embark on are authentic and necessary.  They are derived though the tireless work of our action research teams consisting of administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community members.  

As these changes are incorporated into our school district, you will soon see the dramatic impact it will have with the development of our students and teachers.  They will benefit through a democratic, constructivist education, which will lend itself to independent, reflective  thinking and life long learning.