Hold On I'm Coming

Hold on I'm coming

It's a mighty awesome view from the bottom of this education landscape and this morning I was listening to Sam and Dave's Hold On I'm Coming. 

This brightened my day and gave the movement that I'm leading a rallying cry or theme song. So to the top flight leaders I will say HOLD ON I'M COMING!!!!  

Just taking a step back to look at the programs and processes in place it is a humbling experience. Currently in place we have: early morning intervention, push-in support to classroom, elective based intervention (for reading, math, and science), Blue Ribbon Blitz (a built in intervention), PowerHour after school intervention and Fired Up Friday. 

During these interventions each student is taught and provided targeted instruction that is meant to increase their overall achievement. 

To take you back to the beginning and the need for these programs, I would have to mention that it was common place to have 4th & 5th graders performing on a kindergarten level in all academic areas.  Our changing populations, lack of parental support, and large increase of English language learners necessitate this intense intervention. Therefore, the leadership team decided that enough was enough and we needed to meet the needs of our students at every level. 

We have to serve our students in a way that is enriching but above all else INNOVATIVE.  This need is magnified due to our ever changing student population that are considered 21st century Learners who yearn to be allowed the freedom of exploration/creation of their own learning. 

With this being said I felt the overwhelming responsibility to become a facilitator versus a traditional manager. The 21st century employees have the same wishes and desires of students. They want the autonomy to create and have ownership of their teaching style. The "because I said so" leaders are of a dying bread because the 24/7 availability of the internet has grown an individual's ability to network & gain resources that are the latest, greatest practices. 

It was once said that research based practices were the tried and true methodology for educational institutions, but with the ever changing world if we wait around on the learning to be research tested and don't take a leap of faith will the research be relevant by the time we receive the knowledge?????

http://soundcloud.com/phat-tony-1/hold-on-i-am-comin-phat-tony