"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." Martin Luther King Jr.
I'm sorry if it seems that I'm harping so much on the lack of cooperation sometimes observed between content area teachers and language arts teachers, but the readings, especially the article on standards for middle and high school reading specialists/coaches really spoke to me. As a school, JFKHS is trying to do a lot to address our failings with regards to literacy instruction (as directed by our SAT10 scores). We hold monthly faculty meetings where the focus is on disseminating strategies that will 1) address literacy and 2) more than likely work in your classroom. It sounds great on paper, but it can be difficult to carry out, especially when we have to think of how literacy is used in math or PE classes. It's doable. It might not be easy for all teachers to try all of our strategies, but we're aiming for a good percentage--critical mass is a good term. I think what would tip the boat in our favor is for all teachers to realize that literacy is a vital part of all classes and that all teachers have a responsibility to help their students. WASC accreditation (or denial) and improved (or stagnated) literacy skills help (or hurt) everyone.
Yes, I agree Christine. If you throw in the WASC Accreditation, that will definitely get the ball rolling because that involves their school, their job. In our school we all have an assigned part to gather and contribute to the big picture, or shall I say report!
ReplyDeleteIt is going to take a lot of effort to effectuate change. For those teachers who have bought into the need for change, they are more likely to accept what needs to happen,especially as it applies to them personally - more professional development, more meetings, more instructional style changes, more spending of personal funds for necessary resources, etc. For those who are stuck in a rut or entrenched, they will be resistant because "they view change with suspicion and as a threat to them. They seldom seek growth opportunities and often undermine the efforts of those around them by actively opposing or subverting change through ridicule, criticism, and/or intimidation. They can be influential can their negative attitudes can spread faster than those pods in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," Dr. Ernest Stakowski, 1992) The key word here is "threat" The best advise he gave us is to be like a bus driver. Pick those up who are willing to get on the bus and leave those who don't want a ride on the side of the road. They will either decide to get on the bus at some point because they don't want to walk or they'll find another mode of transportation. If you have the critical mass working in favor of the necessary change, you are already well on your way. Do not be discouraged.
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