Who Will Throw the Ball?

Page 2 There are many factors to consider in bringing about the changes necessary to achieve success for students in terms of human and material resources. However, the one resource that will shape the high achieving environment is in the leadership of the school principal in organizing for learning. Page 3 This book will emphasize preparing staff in every department to be accountable for student learning. It all starts with early learning in homes, preschool and elementary schools, but we cannot control homes; therefore, schools can support early learning by utilizing services of paraprofessionals, community volunteers, and parent volunteers to reinforce classroom instruction page 7 When building a house or any type of building, the builder cannot start the first or second level until the foundation has been set. If children do not get the proper foundation for learning, it is very difficult to teach a child algebra when he/she cannot add or subtract. Most of all, oral language development played a major role in developing our listening skills and influenced our ability to speak and read. page 17 Many teachers had worked in isolation, but now teachers had to work with other teachers and their paraprofessionals. Page 17-18 Implementation is not more people and materials; it’s how we utilize those resources to make a difference in student achievement. Page 18-19 The primary role of the teacher was to provide orientation to classroom, duties and responsibilities, guidance, supervision, and continuous open and honest communication. On the other hand, the primary role of the paraprofessional was to serve as a resource to the teacher by reinforcing instruction and helping to make the classroom more manageable. Page 26 The more time the principal spends preparing staff for the job in the beginning, the better the performance will be over time. Page 29 The teacher profile was used by the principal to give classroom teachers a picture of their performance in the school, and the meeting was held at the end of the school year to discuss areas of improvements and achievements. page 33 Principals must remember, the secretary represents “you” and she or he must understand what you stand for and what you represent. I do support paying teachers higher salaries and expect the type of performance being described in our text. Page 45 I worked with principals and central office staff to set up “fireside chat” meetings in the homes of parents. Page 46 One of the important projects we utilized was the “Book Club”. Page 49 After the transition from a large system to a small system, I am convinced that large school districts can do a better job of serving students when organized into smaller segments with leadership for each segment! Page 52 Professional learning is necessary for all staff members, including office personnel, maintenance staff, and food service staff. However, all professional learning programs should be held over several years and ongoing. Page 59 Too many times in my career I have seen students retained and re-teaching was of little or no benefit. Page 60 There are some negative effects for student retention that I find to have major consequences. Professional learning was always at the top of the list including times when we had staff meetings. Page 64 The classroom teacher is the center of teaching and learning, and students are looking to them or someone for support in the learning process. What does it say to leaders and our teachers? Children are there ready to learn, but someone has to throw the ball! Page 64 All principals must learn how to document classroom positive and negative behaviors because teachers need feedback------ Page 65-66 The supportive service teachers, art, music, physical education, and media teachers, planned together to schedule their classes to give the classroom teachers an hour of planning time by grade levels with a few exceptions Page 66 What students are doing tells us a lot about what teachers are doing and how they have structured teaching and learning in the classroom. Page 75 It would be helpful if teacher preparation programs required and included more gifted training for teacher certification to enhance classroom instruction. Page 77 During the many years of working in classrooms and supporting teachers in classrooms, I learned that thinking test scores and waiting for the end of year testing is a waste of time --------- Page 79 In my work as principal and superintendent, we emphasized the need to get children involved in at least one extracurricular activity two to three days a week. Page 80 Students need to be actively involved in afterschool learning for many reasons, but it is a support for the well-being of our children and an extension of daily academic learning. Page 88-89 ---- “the further you are from the schools the less the impact on student performance”. Page 90 There are a few key words to remember----preparation, effective leadership, teamwork, organization, high expectations, professional learning, implementation with capital I, consistency with capital C, and community involvement. Page 91-92 I want to reiterate my definition of a successful school, meaning a school where students are achieving at a high level regardless of where they live, socioeconomic conditions, free reduced lunch, and even a lack of parent support. Page 93 I believe it would allow for continuity and more time to do a better job for students if superintendents could spend more time in the position to help students achieve and less time concerned about their contract renewal. Page 104 Show me a winning team, and I guarantee it was not done at the expense of one person. The principal needs support to get the job done, starting with a smart and dedicated secretary. The students are looking to us to learn, achieve, graduate, enter post-secondary education, find a career and become gainfully employed to support their families. When we get to this point and accomplish these things, someone threw the ball!