Why this year is working.

There are so many positive things happening at Westlawn this 2012/2013 year that I wanted to take a second to acknowledge what is happening. I also wanted to try and explain why these things have occurred.

I'll start with a disclaimer: There is the possibility that here at Westlawn there is an unspoken undercurrent of discontent that I am simply not aware of. Now that I am in the office and not in the classroom I do not have access to all of the conversations that are happening behind the scenes. You know those conversations that are negative and critical of school direction. I imagine that there are still some critical and negative conversations taking place in a few corners here at Westlawn, but maybe there aren't. Besides, I have better evidence than teacher satisfaction to prove that something is going right here at Westlawn, Student satisfaction.

Students in Junior High let you know when they are not happy. Over the years here at Westlawn I have heard no shortage of "Westlawn Sucks" and I have seen more than one graffiti tag in the bathroom commenting on Westlawn's propensity for ball licking. Not this year though. I see something different in our students. They are being silly, they are being themselves, they are having small conflicts with their peers and coming up with peaceful solutions. I see students that are happy with their classes, and I hear about students that love their math class or their science class. I see less students isolated and alone, and I see more teachers trying to talk to those students. I see our gym full during sporting events, and I see teachers being listened to and respected when they talk to students. All of the evidence points to a student body that feels safe and cared for and challenged and happy. 

So what is causing this positive shift in student attitude? 

1. ME - I am! Hey I called this the honest educator didn't I? I have had an immense impact on this school, and I want to do so much more, but at the same time
2. YOU - Every time you take the time for the student and sacrifice yourself for them you are making a difference.  The individual relationship changes the student. Nothing can replace the impact that the individuals in this building have on the students.

It would be very easy to misunderstand this celebration of individualism, so let's not do that. Individuals still choose to work well in a team. Individuals are the ones that either talk positively or negatively. Individuals put in the extra work to make sure the entire group benefits and that is what is driving this school. Anybody at this school that wants to be great and do great things in their realm can. We have the freedom to put in long hours, to take the time to talk to kids, to care about how students act and behave. There is no edict telling us to behave this way. All of the successes are individual efforts that come from somewhere inside of the individual that decides to care enough. 

We are lucky enough at Westlawn to have enough strong individuals that care about doing the best damn job they can for themselves and for these kids, and you know what the beautiful thing is about the whole thing? It is downright contagious. 

And yes I was talking about you. 

New Year's Resolutions

Way more interesting than an update to my professional growth plan, here are my New Year's Resolutions for Westlawn School, complete with indicators of success.

I want to focus on three attainable goals from my professional growth plan. 

1. Continue the whole school student assessment of ability at mid-year (end of January and February). I need to improve upon the test format to try to eliminate error, speed up the tracking and posting of results, and keep a closer eye on the resources post-test. In the office, before the end of January I resolve to have the next stage of testing ready for school-wide implementation. Measure of success: Whole school data available by February 14th.

2. Math Intervention Plan. I have been struggling with this since May of last year. Our students are constantly asking for Math intervention, but there is no effective program in place. The after-school sessions could work, but there aren't any "teachers" in the library, and students do not consistently attend. As well, after school is not enough time to catch and assist our failing students. It is my personal believe that something radically different needs to happen in the math classroom for there to be more success overall,  

but that is not my arena to fight in, so I will stay focused on the intervention plan. Measure of success: by Spring Break, when I have students in my office that identify difficulty in math as a leading cause of behavioural problems and anxiety I will have a clear and concise strategy to help them through this. 

3. FNMI parent involvement. I resolve to improve my ability to collaborate by working closely with Ms. Cardinal in a project designed to invite Aboriginal Parents and Families into the building. Indicator of success: Parents and Families will help organize and implement the Aboriginal day celebration at the end of June. 

Can we get here by June 2013?

Well here we go! What are your resolutions for 2013 at Westlawn or at your school?