3. & 8. It was the tip of the iceberg: Celebrating our students

3. & 8. It was the tip of the iceberg: Celebrating our students…

This we believe (NMSA, 2010).

* Curriculum is challenging, exploratory, integrative, and relevant. Challenging Curriculum

* Leaders demonstrate courage and collaboration. Courageous & Collaborative Leaders

Last night our school was highlighted at the monthly school board meeting. The room was packed with students, parents and teachers from West McDowell Middle School. Dr. Gardner, our principal, opened the evening sharing our mission and vision:

The mission of West McDowell Middle School is to offer relevant learning experiences that include communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity which are student centered, developing the whole child through teacher guidance, parent partnership, and global exploration.

In a span of forty minutes our students shared the benefits of clubs including: Men of Honor, the Newspaper “Spartan News”, Science Olympiad, Battle of the Books, and I-2-I “(Inspire 2 Innovate.) Faculty/staff initiated programs such as: Band Leaders Project, and the Student Tutors Program were highlighted. Curriculum innovations including the impact of using Gizmos, The Chromebook 1:1 Initiative, an Interdisciplinary/Cross-Grade Level unit on the Holocaust, and a breaking down bullying were discussed by students. Student Council activities, and a summary of our PTA fundraisers were shared. In addition, school-wide efforts to plan, organize, and conduct out of state field trips at each grade level including Atlanta, Williamsburg, and Space Camp in Alabama were shared by the students. Other events that were shared were the celebration of our men and women who serve and have served our country, and highlights from our PBIS programs. At the end of the presentations Dr. Gardner shared, “And this is just the tip of the iceberg!”

I have never worked in a school system where each school had the opportunity to share the good things happening with School Board members. This presentation highlighted our students and their opportunities to explore, innovate, and create learning experiences. What I found most enlightening is that many of these programs have started this year. It is our principal who holds the vision and inspires us to explore our own passions and insights into what our students need.

Advice

1)   If you have an idea that could benefit students or teachers, do not be hesitant in promoting your ideas. Our students need support from many different opportunities. Always check with your principal first.

2)   Do not ever try to do something by yourself. It can happen, but too often there is so much to do and having someone to bounce ideas off can be very helpful; plus it is more fun to collaborate with someone. (:

3)   Keep documentation of the experience. Whatever you create, consider how it impacts students’ behavior and academics. If/when it is effective, share it at a conference or write an article about it.