Reflections of Week One

Submitted! I never saw more beautiful letters! I was afraid I'd be a midnighter!
Last week, when I first opened Epic and saw all the rigorous activities and assignments, I wondered what I had gotten myself into! I still have another week of school left. We are in flex days and so not all my students are there, but school is still open and we have lots of learning left to do! Students all will begin summer vacation next Friday,June 3. Enough whining!
I jumped in to the activities of week one with excitement and a refreshing feeling about doing something I have longed to do for quite some time. I have been reluctant to tell my staff that I am pursuing a Supt. certification, but this week, the dark circles under my eyes gave it all away. My staff has been so supportive. I have a great staff! Anyway, I have learned so much this week. I built a blog, a wiki and have a competent knowledge of the Superintendency program. I have met new friends and colleagues, have participated in a web conference and did rather well on the practice Superintendent exam! Week 2....let's get started!

BLOGGING BY EDUCATORS

I like lists....I REALLY like lists. They help me stay organized! My first lists for my blog follow.

Ways teachers can use blogs:

• to introduce themselves to parents
  


• to celebrate classroom accomplishments



• to inform parents of upcoming events



• to enhance homework help
  


• to help students stay organized with "To Do" list

Ways Administrators can use blogs:

• to communicate with parents and teachers concerning upcoming events
  


• to share helpful websites with teachers
  


• to hold teachers accountable by asking for responses of some type that all are able to see



• to announce school celebrations
  


• to allow the community or faculty a voice in decision making

ACTION RESEARCH

As educators we are always challenged by change. We are taught and sometimes forced to analyze our practices and to think critically about our programs, curriculum, disciplinary techniques, etc. Action research is a way in which to do that. This type research calls for the researcher, or in my case, the administrator to examine these elements while they are going on. Action research often includes collaboration with others in the field, often concerning the same subject. Real life experiences are at the heart of this research. We not only analyze what we are doing through action research, but also why we are doing something. With action research we can make informed decisions rather than intuitive ones. Data collection of our own coupled with the data from our peers helps in making these informed decisions. This type research is not a one-size-fits-all way of looking at education. Action research allows the researcher to apply what has been learned to his or her stakeholders in a way that may only be appropriate for them. I look forward to applying action research throughout the remainder of my superintendent coursework.

Introduction

I am Becky Melton, the elementary Principal at Frost ISD. Frost is a small 1A school located in central Texas midway between Hillsboro and Corsicana. I absolutely LOVE my job and the children that I am able to work with daily. This is the beginning of a new professional chapter in my life - the journey toward a Superintendent certification. Let the games begin!