We Need More Admins Like This
Posted by: Toby Fischer in WIKI, blog, education, technology, tags: 21st century, administrators, david sherman, web2.0I just came across this interview with David Sherman, the principal of South Park Elementary School in Deerfield, Illinois. I’m sure he gets plenty of cracks about “South Park”. One statement he made stood out to me;
…I believe that I must model the use of Web 2.0 tools for the staff and parents. I feel that it is my responsibility to keep learning about these tools, which I do mostly through RSS feeds. I am confident that the teachers now know enough about Web 2.0 tools to start using them, so I am starting to “push” a little harder at the individual teacher level whenever the time is right. I spend a lot of time talking with teachers about ways to incorporate these tools into their teaching. Often, these discussion come from my classroom visits and teacher observations.
I don’t expect all administrators to as tech savvy as David Sherman, or others such as Chris Lehmann. What I would like to see is all administrators to have a basic understanding of technology, specifically web 2.0. I want them to understand the role technology plays in an effective 21st century school. I want them to be able to employ these technologies to increase student achievement in their district/building . When I say administrators, I mean superintendents, principals, directors and any other personnel in a position of leadership.
Once the administrators take on this role as a technology user, then more teachers in their district will take steps to do the same. At that point we will be able to push the way David Sherman is. Getting his teachers to a new level. If the teachers are moving to a new level, just think about the places they must be taking their students. I hope I can play a role in helping my district reach these new levels.
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February 13th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
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February 17th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I am all for role modeling 21st century skills for my staff.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Will you be offering any workshops for Leadership Team so we can 1) get an overview of these tools and 2) sign up for workshops for specific tools? That would be great.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:50 am
It seems to me that if an administrator models the use of technology, it does a few things. Those who are already using the technology skills are validated and can openly use and share their knowledge and skills with others. Reluctant learners begin to see the uses and skills that they need learn and may begin to use them, too. I don’t know how many of us either talk with those we are evaluating about their use of technology or that we, in our evaluation conferences, talk about or are asked about our use of technology. I know I would need to increase my knowledge and skills to be able to talk intelligently to a teacher about how he/she might imbed technology into his/her classroom and content area!