Blog Due Friday, November 15, 2013

Title:  Initiative

 

 

Definition

in·i·ti·a·tive

iˈniSH(ē)ətiv/

noun

noun: initiative; plural noun: initiatives; noun: the initiative

1.

the ability to assess and initiate things independently.

"use your initiative, imagination, and common sense"

 

2.

the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do.
"we have lost the initiative and allowed our opponents to dictate the subject"

 

Assignment

You are now beginning your third week as an EAT intern.  You should begin to get a feel for what needs to be done in your classroom.  You should begin to show initiative in your classroom.  The assignment this week is as follows:

 

1.  What does initiative mean to you?  In your own words please!

2.  Make a list of at least 10 ways you can show initiative as an EAT intern in your field site classroom. (whether you have actually done them or not)
3.  Find at least five words that are synonomous with initiative.  List them.

3.  Write a paragraph that indicates some actual things you did during the week to show initiative in your classroom.  How did this impact your mentor teacher or students? 

4.  Why is initiative such an important characteristic for a teacher to possess?

 

This blog is due on Friday, November 15.  Follow the rubric for best results. 

Blog Due October 25, 2013

TMI: (Lack of) confidentiality in the schools

Patti Hartigan, a former reporter/critic/columnist for the Boston Globe, became very interested in public education when she had three children within 17 months and became immersed in their activities at school.  Read about her thoughts of confidentiality (or lack of it) as it relates to volunteers in the classroom on the True/Slant website.

Have you ever thought about the fact that you, as a teacher, could be fired for sharing confidential information?  However, those who volunteer in your classroom can discuss some of the same issues - which child has ADHD, who has a sensitive medical condition, who was sent to the office for misbehaving, which child is failing, who had a temper tantrum last week, and more without any repercussions.   

Should schools have a confidentiality policy for volunteers?  Visit the BISD volunteer partnership page on the BISD website.  Fill out the volunteer application so that you can read the expectations of a volunteer and read the confidentiality policy.  (You do not have to submit the application.)  What is your opinion of the application?  Does it give enough information to new volunteers?  Too much information?  What do you think?

How should a volunteer policy be enforced?  Knowing that volunteers are an integral part of the school workforce, how do you make sure that you set an expectation for all to respect student's privacy without "firing" crucial members of your campus family?  Discuss your ideas as if you were a campus principal.

This video will remind you about the information that must remain confidential when working with them.