PART 1: A PERSONAL REFLECTION
No doubt that in the next five years, I will still be attempting to fine tune my craft when it comes to NGSS #2. My ImagineIT exposed the fact that it is really hard to complete that standard with full fidelity. I have been successful in some aspects because my scholars can implement a model fairly easily. The part that we still struggle with is the developing of the model. I think that as educators, we have a great opportunity to execute a personal MBA. Most of what I learned as an educator came from hands on training, i.e. being in the classroom. Ask me about Methods of Teaching Science that I took 15 years ago and I will have no idea what to say. With this ImagineIT, I’ve had the opportunity to work on it and see where I am falling short. I have the ability to decide where to go next with it and what resources I need to gather to get there.
While watching the TED talks presented by Ms. Torres, I kept being reminded of the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky attributed his success in the NHL to the fact that he would always anticipate not just the next move, but upwards of 2-3 plays ahead of what was currently happening. Ms. Torres stated somewhat similar logic in that great leaders don’t focus on what gets the job done today but rather, they are looking ahead to what will drive their company or non-for profit in the future. I have come to the realization that technology is limited in CPS. If I am going to stay ahead of the curve, I will need to look into a Donors Choose or something down that line in order to secure technology that is not subject to being used for tests or simply being pulled for another class.
My PLN could stand to be expanded some. My science colleagues and I at Prieto have had many a discussion about NGSS #2. The only problem with that is that I am not getting outside feedback from fellow teachers in CPS. My colleagues at my school share the same limitations on a daily basis and therefore, it is somewhat hard to think outside of the box. Moving forward, I plan to use or at least troll (love that word) Twitter more frequently. To a certain degree, a PLN has already been set up for me by this fellowship. It’s now on me to take it to the next step and I feel that Twitter would be a good avenue to do so.
In terms of being courageous and letting go of the past, I really have to start moving away from my curriculum in the classroom. It’s great for hands on labs but I literally have never had it address NGSS #2. It is only through the implementation of my ImagineIT that we have seen any action with regard to that standard. I’m not saying I am going to ditch it but maybe focus more on depth rather than breadth moving forward.
No doubt that in the next five years, I will still be attempting to fine tune my craft when it comes to NGSS #2. My ImagineIT exposed the fact that it is really hard to complete that standard with full fidelity. I have been successful in some aspects because my scholars can implement a model fairly easily. The part that we still struggle with is the developing of the model. I think that as educators, we have a great opportunity to execute a personal MBA. Most of what I learned as an educator came from hands on training, i.e. being in the classroom. Ask me about Methods of Teaching Science that I took 15 years ago and I will have no idea what to say. With this ImagineIT, I’ve had the opportunity to work on it and see where I am falling short. I have the ability to decide where to go next with it and what resources I need to gather to get there.
While watching the TED talks presented by Ms. Torres, I kept being reminded of the greatest hockey player of all time, Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky attributed his success in the NHL to the fact that he would always anticipate not just the next move, but upwards of 2-3 plays ahead of what was currently happening. Ms. Torres stated somewhat similar logic in that great leaders don’t focus on what gets the job done today but rather, they are looking ahead to what will drive their company or non-for profit in the future. I have come to the realization that technology is limited in CPS. If I am going to stay ahead of the curve, I will need to look into a Donors Choose or something down that line in order to secure technology that is not subject to being used for tests or simply being pulled for another class.
My PLN could stand to be expanded some. My science colleagues and I at Prieto have had many a discussion about NGSS #2. The only problem with that is that I am not getting outside feedback from fellow teachers in CPS. My colleagues at my school share the same limitations on a daily basis and therefore, it is somewhat hard to think outside of the box. Moving forward, I plan to use or at least troll (love that word) Twitter more frequently. To a certain degree, a PLN has already been set up for me by this fellowship. It’s now on me to take it to the next step and I feel that Twitter would be a good avenue to do so.
In terms of being courageous and letting go of the past, I really have to start moving away from my curriculum in the classroom. It’s great for hands on labs but I literally have never had it address NGSS #2. It is only through the implementation of my ImagineIT that we have seen any action with regard to that standard. I’m not saying I am going to ditch it but maybe focus more on depth rather than breadth moving forward.