Have you heard about the “Common Core check”? If you missed it, here’s the summary: A father became frustrated by some new methods of teaching math which rendered him unable to help his second-grader with assigned homework. To mock the new teaching system, he wrote a check using the new teaching methods to protest what he saw as “change for the sake of change.” His photo of the check went viral, being shared across social media and news outlets, as a symbol of the new curriculum that many other parents found mysterious and confusing.
Responsible Survey Data Communication
The data a school collects is often seen as primarily the domain of the Administrative Team, whose members use the data to inform decisions and drive change. When schools collect data through surveys, however, there are other interested constituents to consider. Communication before, during, and after conducting surveys is essential and must be handled carefully.
Preparing for Your Senior Class Representative Meeting
Every year, the senior class appoints several notable (and hopefully responsible) representatives to organize their final year of high school. These representatives will approach you, the Division Head, to discuss potential privileges for your eldest students to enjoy. You should attend this meeting prepared to endow those students with certain responsibilities, as well as senior-student privileges.
Advice for New Division Heads
Another September rolls around, bringing with it new students—and new Division Heads! Welcome! Knowing that many of you new folks might have first-day jitters, we asked our ISM Consultants if they had any words of wisdom to share. So without further ado, here’s our advice for new—or new-to-school—Division Heads.
Highlight Your Faculty’s Out-of-School Achievements
As parents seek validation for selecting your school for their children, the quality of your faculty is a major gauge—and one of your strongest competitive advantages. How are you highlighting your teachers’ achievements, both inside and outside the walls of your school?
A private-independent school is often described as a “community of learners,” and a main tenet of a school’s mission is to instill a love of lifelong learning. One of the best demonstrators of these tenets is that faculty members spend time improving themselves—professionally and otherwise—outside the classroom. Plan now to highlight your teachers’ individual accomplishments
Three Podcasts for Division Heads
What’s playing over your headphones lately? Music, or a favorite morning talk show? You could use your spare time as a way to find out what’s going on with your peers and learn new techniques through podcasts! Podcasts are pre-recorded radio shows you can download to your phone, music player, or computer. This month, we’ve found three we think Division Heads will appreciate.
Cognitive Scientist Says Erasers Are “Instruments of the Devil”
Encouraging students to be confident in their abilities—even while they make mistakes—must be one of the most herculean feats teachers are asked to accomplish. Some cognitive scientists, however, believe the key to solving this conundrum is to ban the eraser.
Preparing Your School’s Families for New Teachers
When teachers leave at the end of your school year and new faculty members are hired, parents often become concerned. Their primary concern is the loss of known and valued educators and role models. Many parents were familiar and comfortable with the departing teachers. Until new teachers are hired, parents and students experience a real void.
As School Head or Division Head, inform parents that turnover in the faculty is not only expected, but often healthy for the school. Parents should not be unduly concerned. Educate your parents so they will understand what steps your school takes in hiring new teachers and how this process can benefit their children.
Summer Program: The Third Semester—Three Administrative Considerations
In this series on summer program, we have provided examples and insights into Semester 3 (S3) as an inevitable expansion of a school’s program to year-round. In this final article, we look at some administrative considerations for S3 leadership, facilities, and upper school curriculum.
Teachers Sell Lesson Plans for Extra Income
Who owns your teachers’ lesson plans—the teachers who write them, or the school that employs them? The answer might be more complicated than it seems, especially when teachers begin selling their classroom resources online for extra income.