December Blog Posting

Directions:

For this month's blog posting, please review Alabama Educator Code of Ethics Standards 1-4 and read Chapter 4 of The Leader in Me. Post a comment to this discussion thread in response to one of the three questions below from Chapter 4. Please remember to sign into your account first and then post a "comment" and not a "New Post." If your post appears above these directions, please remove it and re-post as a comment only.

Standard 1: Professional Conduct
Standard 2: Trustworthiness
Standard 3: Unlawful Acts

Standard 4: Teacher/Student Relationship
An educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.

The Leader in Me—Chapter 4
Stephen R. Covey

“Far and away the biggest mistake managers make is ignoring the crucial importance of alignment.”—James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras, Built to Last

Questions to consider for Chapter 4

1. How would you rate the “alignment” at your school and why?
2. What are some basic elements that need to be aligned with any initiative effort?
3. What did you learn from Chapter 4 that if applied could help your school better achieve its continuous improvement efforts?

While teaching 6th grade History I have an opportunity to teach leadership by using examples of the great leaders of our nation and the world from 1900 to the present time. During the lessons I encourage my students to form their own opinions about major events in the world, and to be able to defend their opinions. Students must be taught and encouraged to stand up for what they believe in - for they are the future leaders of our schools, and our country. This concept relates to "ubiquitous" - "everywhere at the same time." If students learn to defend what they believe in while studying world events in History, they will hopefully stand up for what they believe is right in situations in their own lives - in turn, making our school a better place.

I frequently come face to face with parents out in public at different events and often conversations will take place about how someone at the school went out of their way to help a child. With a great sense of pride, I stand back and listen soaking in the dialogue, knowing this happens because our teachers and staff members really love and care for our kids. Just like A. B. Combs, this is the foundation that puts us on solid ground. It is made up of teachers who really want the best for students and are willing to look at them as their own special person. Students have to know we care about them as individuals.

November Posting

Code of Ethics Standards

Standard 1: Professional Conduct
Standard 2: Trustworthiness

Standard 3: Unlawful Acts
An educator should abide by federal, state, and local laws and statutes.
Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the commission or conviction of a felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude. As used herein, conviction includes a finding or verdict of guilty, or a plea of *nolo contendere, regardless of whether an appeal of the conviction has been sought or a situation where first offender treatment without adjudication of guilt pursuant to the charge was granted.

*no contest


The Leader in Me—Chapter 3
Stephen R. Covey

“Few things help an individual more than to place responsibility upon him and to let him know that you trust him.”—Booker T. Washington

Questions to consider for Chapter 3

What is the “ubiquitous” approach, and why does it work?
How does A.B. Combs Elementary use the 7 Habits, Baldrige tools, and data notebooks to drive student achievement and continuous school improvement?
According to Covey, what is the real key to success in creating a school like A.B. Combs?

Please relate your comment to Ethics Standard 3 or one of the questions from Chapter 3.

The definition of trust is "something entrusted to one - to be cared for in the interest of another". Parents have entrusted their most prized possession to us. We must keep and treasure this and truly educate their children for life not just for 12 years. When the parents have faith that you want the best for their child you can work out almost any problem.

October Reflection

Please post your reflective comment for October based on The Alabama Code of Ethics for Educators Standard 2 and Chapter 2 of The Leader in Me. These instructions should remain at the top of the blog throughout the month. If your post over-rides it, then please remove it and re-post as a comment at the bottom of the original post. Remember to do this by clicking on "October Reflection" or "comments" at the bottom of this post.

Code of Ethics Standards

Standard 2: Trustworthiness
An educator should exemplify honesty and integrity in the course of professional practice.
Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Properly representing facts concerning an educational matter in direct or indirect public expression.
• Advocating for fair and equitable opportunities for all children.
• Embodying for students the characteristics of intellectual honesty, diplomacy, tact, and fairness.

Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting professional qualifications, criminal record, or employment history when applying for employment or certification.
• Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting information submitted to federal, state, and/or other governmental agencies.
• Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting information regarding the evaluation of students and/or personnel.
• Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting reasons for absences or leaves.
• Falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting information submitted in the course of an official inquiry or investigation.


The Leader in Me
Stephen R. Covey

“The research is clear: nothing motivates a child more than when learning is valued by schools and families/community working together in partnership…” Michael Fullan (20).

Questions to consider for Chapter 2

What do parents want from your school?
What does the business community want from your school?
What do teachers and students want from your school?

Chapter 2 and Standard 2 tie in beautifully together. Trustworthiness is one of those key elements that parents and community members have said that they need to see in our graduates. Can we take character to the next level through The Leader in Me model?

“Leadership is communicating people’s worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves” (41).

CSeaver

Wow! What a day and what practice. When dealing with parents the "win/win" is a must. When parents find out they have to go before the board they react in so many different ways. The only way to make it work, is to keep them calm and practice the "win/win." It works every time.

September 30

Since school started, I seem to have violated every principle I learned in the Seven Habits training. Almost nothing important gets prioritized ahead of the urgent. I understand it will get better. I hope so.

Steve Hallman

Dealing with people

I am struggling in a situation where I am really having to apply Habit #5. I am seeking first to understand before I can even decide how to proceed. I guess "Daignose before you prescribe" does apply here.

A thought that has stuck with me from Habit 2, is we should envision the end results before we take action. Highly effective people shape their own outcomes or futures, they refuse to let circumstances determine it. All of us need to establish long-term goals that clarify who we are and goals that will keep us focused on our mission. As leaders, we must set a high professional standard that will encourage our colleagues to do likewise.

Standard 1 and Chapter 1

10 September 2009

Code of Ethics Standards

Standard 1: Professional Conduct
An educator should demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards.
Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Encouraging and supporting colleagues in the development and maintenance of high standards.
• Respecting fellow educators and participating in the development of a professional and supportive teaching environment.
• Engaging in a variety of individual and collaborative learning experiences essential to developing professionally in order to promote student learning.

Unethical conduct is any conduct that impairs the certificate holder’s ability to function in his or her employment position or a pattern of behavior that is detrimental to the health, welfare, discipline, or morals of students. Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Harassment of colleagues.
• Misuse or mismanagement of tests or test materials.
• Inappropriate language on school grounds.
• Physical altercations.
• Failure to provide appropriate supervision of students.



The Leader in Me
Stephen R. Covey

Questions to consider for Chapter 1

Why do people doubt that great things can happen in our schools?
What are the differences in primary greatness and secondary greatness?
What are three important themes to look for in the book?

Our goal is to look at one chapter each month over the course of the school year through next June. There will be no “required reading” and no tests, but I do hope to see some connections to what we are doing with the Alabama Code of Ethics for Educators and our own 7 Habits training.

Randy Walker

Encouragement and support have always seemed to be more beneficial than criticism. General respect for colleagues encourages collaborative learning experiences.

Word Cloud of our Blog

I thought some of you might be interested in seeing a "word cloud" of our blog so far. You can create similar word clouds using wordle (http://www.wordle.net/). When you post for September, please remember to look at my original post--hopefully only a couple of posts down, and just add to the comments. You do this by signing in, clicking on "view blog," and then clicking on X # comments underneath my original post for September. Don't forget to use your mouse to feed the fish while you're here.

Standard I

Including "collaborative efforts" as part of our professional obligations is a "new school" approach. We should no longer want to work in isolation when proper collaboration has been proven to benefit student learning. Making it part of the expected professional standard(s) helps educators to see the importance of collaboration.

September Post: Code of Ethics Standard 1

For your September posting, please review Standard 1 below. Considering the current controversy over the Code of Ethics for Educators, please post a comment concerning Standard 1 and how it applies to your current educational situation.

Standard 1: Professional Conduct

An educator should demonstrate conduct that follows generally recognized professional standards.
Ethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Encouraging and supporting colleagues in the development and maintenance of high standards.
• Respecting fellow educators and participating in the development of a professional and supportive teaching environment.
• Engaging in a variety of individual and collaborative learning experiences essential to developing professionally in order to promote student learning.
Unethical conduct is any conduct that impairs the certificate holder’s ability to function in his or her employment position or a pattern of behavior that is detrimental to the health, welfare, discipline, or morals of students. Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Harassment of colleagues.
• Misuse or mismanagement of tests or test materials.
• Inappropriate language on school grounds.
• Physical altercations.
• Failure to provide appropriate supervision of students.

Still Time to Post

For those of you who still have not posted, please add your comment to this post by clicking on the title or "comments" at the bottom. You will need to sign into your Google account.

Post a brief comment which addresses one thing from the 7 Habits Workshop that you have been able to apply over the summer or that you are in the process of applying now as you get school back up and going.

Reflection This Summer

Still found humor in a quote under Habit 3: "The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise rather that being preceded by a period of worry and depression."
Now I prefer a way to avoid worry and depression always. Wish I had this training earlier in my career.

August Posting Directions

Dear Participants,

I'm re-posting the August directions because I know some of you had a little trouble. In fact, the blog was blocked a while because Google flagged it as under attack by Spammers--probably due to the sudden increase in activity--and possibly from a few people trying multiple log-ins. Let's try to keep these directions at the top of the blog page by simply adding your comments instead of creating a "New Post" --do this by clicking on "comments" underneath this post and responding there. That should make it easier for others to know what to do if they are coming on later.

For your August posting, please consider the following:

1. Be sure that your Display Name is your first name and last initial. You can change this in your "Edit Profile" pane if necessary.

2. Post a comment to my original conversation string. Do this by clicking on the posting title or on "comments." Please avoid starting a "New Post." Use the "comment" feature instead.

3. August Topic: Post a brief comment which addresses one thing from the 7 Habits Workshop that you have been able to apply over the summer or that you are in the process of applying now as you get school back up and going. Have a great School Opening!

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

As the new school year nears, one of my goals is to "begin with the end in mind." The progression of my students' abilities in different manipulative skill areas will be a focus this year. I look forward to another school year with a new approach benefited by the 7 Habits workshop this summer.

Seven Habits Post

I am currently developing methods to incorporate Seven Habits materials for our faculty in faculty/departmental meetings.
J Pullen

7 Habits Blog Heating Up Again!

Thanks to all of you who posted recently! Please keep up the good work. It's great to see you applying these ideas to both the personal and professional areas of your lives.

August Posting

I am trying to implement Habit # 5 on a professional as well as personal level. This summer I completed a book dealing with the awareness and differences of individual paradigms. I need to respond to others from their perspective more than from my own.

Habit 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have attempted to use habit number 5 in professional and personal situations many times since our training. The totem pole thing isn't working very well, but using habit 5 eases tension in most situations.

As I begin preparing for a new school year, I am trying to do a better job prioritizing the most crucial tasks that I must accomplish.

The End in Mind

As this new school year swiftly approaches, I have tried hard to put in practice the principles of Habit 2, Begin With The End In Mind. As I draft my notes for my opening faculty meeting, my mind reaches to what outcomes I desire for the end of the school year.

DeWon F.

As I prepare for the start of a new school year I have challenged myself to be more proactive and less reactive.

As I prepare to start a new school year, I am trying to remember Habit 3 - Put first things first. The problem is determining what is the first thing.

August Blog Requirements

Dear Participants,

For your August posting, please consider the following:
1. Be sure that your Display Name is your first name and last initial. You can change this in your "Edit Profile" pane if necessary.
2. Post a comment to my original conversation string. Do this by clicking on the posting title or on "comments." Please avoid starting a "New Post." Use the "comment" feature instead.
3. August Topic: Post a brief comment which addresses one thing from the 7 Habits Workshop that you have been able to apply over the summer or that you are in the process of applying now as you get school back up and going.

Have a great School Opening!

Personal Motto

I am really intrigued by the personal motto and plan to encourage our family to develop personal mottoes during the next months.

This workshop has been very informative. All educators need to take this workshop, we all would do a better job by following the principles of the 7 habits.

7 Habits

I've enjoyed the past three days and I see a need to move from QI to QII as a priority. With help, I hope to become less of a firefighter and more of a planner.

Sharpening the Saw

I've enjoyed the 7 Habits training and I'm going to begin sharpening the saw.

Communication

The workshop may prove invaluable in my communications with my spouse. I am regularly told that I do not listen to her. I have begun some empathic listening strategies. We'll see.

Assistant Principal

I have really enjoyed the training, it has made me look at people and situations differently.
Thanks,
DeWon F

Seven Habits Training

I have enjoyed the workshop and I intend to utilize what I have learned.
War Eagle!!!!

principal

The 7 Habits is valuable well spent. I plan on expanding my knowledge throughout the year.

Principal

I've really enjoyed our training on the 7 Habits. Habit 5, regarding listening, is one that I can especially utilize during meetings with teachers, students, and parents.

Revisit

I do appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this learning with my Blount County friends. I took some earlier Covey courses quite a few years ago but this re-visit is coming at just the right time for me. The reflections are helping me to refocus my energies to use the Habits in my personal and professional life. This will also be a way for me to stay connected to Blount County even though I won't be seeing you as regularly in the future I look forward to blogging with you all!

Very good conference. I learned a lot. It will be very helpful in working with students and parents.

The workshop is great. Thanks for including me.

1st Post

I don't know about everyone else, but I am having fun with this class.

I'm new

So far, really great.

I am excited about attending the 7 Habits workshop and having the opportunity to visit with fellow Blount County Administrators. I have enjoyed the opportunity to examine all the different areas of my life and reflect on ways to improve and make each area more efficient and effective. For me, the difficuly part will be the follow-through, taking what I have learned and applying it in the weeks and months to come. Hopefully,this blogging activity will help to make me review, reflect, and realize the mission and roles that I have identified.A big thank you to Stoney for making this opportunity available and for the hours that he put in to get the PLU's approved.

Summer Blog Requirements

All of you are doing a wonderful job posting your ideas and comments. When you get this first post done, then you'll be good to go until August. The one post will count for the summer months and then we'll post once per month from August through May. It is great to share your application of the 7 Habits at any point, and the more you read and share, the more meaningful the learning community will become in terms of supporting each other in remembering and applying what we have learned. One post per month is only the minimum!

This training is very insightful and thought provoking......Thanks for making the PLU requirement easier for us.

Welcome to the 7 Habits Blog

It is so great to have all of you on this 7 Habits journey--and a journey it is! Covey has been very careful to clarify that his "habits" are never fully developed. It's not the 7 Habits of very neat people, very organized people, or very fit people--even though we would love to achieve these final outcomes. It's all about self-improvement in order to improve our relationships with others--both in our personal and professional lives. I hope that all of you will be able to find at least one area to explore and grow in during the coming school year. If we can all live these habits more effectively, then we will have better schools, better relationships, and better lives.

As part of our ACLD-approved PLUs for this year, you will be asked to visit this blog and post at least one response or reflection monthly. It shouldn't take long, but it will help fulfill the main purpose of the PLU--ongoing and sustained professional development. These postings and our monthly principal meetings will ensure that we are continuing the conversation and applying what we have learned in our face-to-face sessions.