Module A: Setting Directions
To the left is OISE/UT I attended teachers' college for my B.Ed and now I am going back in 2014 to complete my PQP courses. What a ride!
Personal Reflection:
Day 1-
The first day of the PQP program was both a finish and start for me. In the summer of 2000 I started my B.Ed at OISE/UT and I remember thinking to myself, “am going to be doing this for 30 years”. When that day started I remember thinking, “I will do something interesting with my life”. After listening to everyone’s biographies, I firmly believe that for the last 12 years I have accomplished that goal close to 14 years ago
Personal - What does this all mean!
I am back sitting in this building in July 2014 and it feels like a new start and the beginning in a lot of ways a new start of my life and career. After meeting Kevin, his demeanour, his new perspective (one that I had not encountered in a lot of principals) and support, guidance and honesty- much more than I actually thought- was a great relief was inspirational in a number of ways. After Jamie’s talk on “Crisis Management” the relationship on collegiality is some thing I identified with. In overseas schools you are each other’s “, friend, guardian, confidant and help”. Jamie’s talk hit home on so many levels for me!! I will expand in Module D: Securing Accountability.
The slide to the left was taken from the PQP Module 1. It is a succinct description and was the basis of our first major class discussion.
Personal Reflection: It quickly became clear that there were a lot of questions as to what a principal does and there were some wary comments regarding moving into this position such as: "Moving to the dark side" and a lot of comments of working with poor administrators as a reason to move into this position. I some of the thoughts were, "I could do a better job than this person!"
Guest speaker: Jim (From the TDSB) also mentioned that he had "disliked his supervisors" as a way to move into this position.
I definitely think this slide will be used as a starting pointing from where I would like to see myself transitioning to this role.
Cartoons: I think are a great way to introduce an topic because it introduces humour and breaks the ice naturally!
Personal Reflection: I definitely would like to see the principal in the middle of the picture and definitely not at the top of the bridge or at the side as he is currently portrayed.
Slide from the :Ontario Leadership Framework
The slide succinctly shows three domains which were illustrated to be some of the most important qualities to be mindful of.
Personal Reflection:
I have worked for a lot of principals in large part because I have changed schools every 2 years because that was the standard length of contract. This Ontario school I have stated at the longest going onto 4 years because I am deciding if I would go back to Canada or continue to work overseas. I have found that working in this Ontario school system I have been able to engage in much more rich dialogue and continue to take AQ courses such as the PQP much easier because I am working within the Ontario school system.
This slide I choose because it was the main OLF, see link above, reference page.
Personal Reflection: This is a key document because it interlinks and includes all stakeholders in the community: parents, students, assessment, teachers. It provides a foundation to implement a whole school approach which is more a realistic and practical approach to school management. Schools need to take a leadership position in a community and the well being of individuals must be a keystone to success.
The following are slides taken from the school improvement plans.
Personal Reflection: There were a few main points when dealing with this topics: a) achievement is important; b) how do you get a consensus; c) how do maintain and sustain this process. I think that schools all over the world are struggling with increased competition. In Canada- public versus Catholic; public versus private; religious versus Montessori.
International private schools versus public schools.
