Core Values
that underpins my profession
Evaluate your practice in regard to
these values
Essentially
these (above) are values that drives my practice and leadership which clearly
outlines the importance of EQUITY for all be it staff, students, their
communities or partner organisations. The level of service that is provided whether
curriculum or pastoral, demonstrating empathy of individual situations and
ensuring positive outcomes for all is always at the forefront yet having an
acceptance that sometimes we do get it very wrong. Studying by distance at
school level is a huge undertaking for most communities as it requires tools,
support, personal discipline and a need to be open and honest as we are unable
to meet every learner and have a clear understanding of their needs. Our LINK UP is a chance for us to share these
values and show case/ celebrate/communicate the difference we are making with
our learning communities such as pilot projects, dual enrolled schools,
fulltime students, partner organisation such as Star/Gateway/Authentic Learning,
young adults or primary/early childhood groups.
What are
the challenges that you face in your practice? How would you or your community
of practice address them?
In the
distance environment we have numerous challenges but we are currently trying to
embrace it with an opportunity to lead change in Education in NZ in the 21st
century.
Challenges
- Connectivity and Collaboration opportunities for staff and students
- Sustaining on-going student Engagement
- Growing/changing the mind-set of staff
- Digitising teaching and learning
Work in
Progress of the Community of Practice to address these challenge
- Exposing and empowering staff to different tools like Adobe Connect, Hangouts, Skype to connect with their learners if the learners cannot make it to face to face advisories or are too isolated for Liaison teachers to visit. Regular Adobe Connect sessions are now being held with Regional office staff to make all feel inclusive and indirectly expose and encourage them to use this tool as it is “safe” as no phone numbers and emails of students are shared on this platform.
- Ensuring that contact is made within a week of being enrolled, whanau have been involved in ongoing dialogue and ensuring that the goals of the students are being worked towards and met.
- Giving opportunity to the staff we lead to have leadership and resource development opportunities so that they feel valued and are proud to be contributing to the learning of students rather than being “glorified markers/assessors” of resources developed by others. This is critical as in face to face environments teachers have the autonomy to develop, teach and amend teaching materials which is not the case in a distant environment.
- Actively participating and leading Professional development of the school going from blended to online learning. Our biggest role is here right now and communicating and problem solving as a team as well as peer-sharing has been in valuable.
What are
the changes occurring in the context of your profession? How do you think you
or your community of practice should address them?
Education
in NZ has to start preparing 21st Century learners for a world that
is unknown in terms of opportunities, new careers that require new skills and a
highly digital dependent world.
Our
community of practice is now
- having dialogue and collaborating
sharing resources and solving problems- starting to integrate curriculum areas
- co- teaching and developing of resources that allow students to think critically
- applying student voice to new material development- forming relationships
- co-operating with the school as they now have an understanding that for success of our strategic goals that leading from the MIDDLE is essential so we are embracing that opportunity.
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