At some point in our
teaching career, we have experienced a workshop where we wondered how can we
take what has been presented and use it in our classroom. I have been a
presenter and was asked, “Do you expect me to do this with my kids? I would politely respond with yes. Many teachers attend workshops
where they receive beneficial information; however, they are unsure as to how
to implement the practice(s) within their classroom. This dilemma is heightened
when dealing with integrating technology. According to Whitehead, Jensen, and
Boschee (2013), “School leaders are experiencing a very challenging and
exciting time. Clearly, the ever-present dramatic political, social,
environmental, and economic changes occurring globally are requiring
educational leaders at all levels to become conscious of guiding and directing
institutional and academic relevant to the needs of this modern reality (Goslin,
2012)” (pg. 21).
Regarding technology initiatives, it is
important to establish a shared vision and identify and nurture your teacher leaders
in order to reap the benefits of effective professional development. Having a
shared vision places everyone on a leveled playing field, speaking the same language.
“Having a clear direction and common language can ensure that a school is
headed in the right direction. It can even be the key to turning around
troubled tech rollouts”, (Culatta, 2019).
Nurturing your teacher
leaders by trusting them to use their autonomy to produce positive results,
builds confidence. Then allow them to share their knowledge with other
educators. Checkley (2016) states, “When teachers accept this responsibility to
their colleagues, they enter into what Lambert calls a relationship of
“professional reciprocity.” Such relationships, she stated, help build a
community of learners among educators, and in sharing “what they know about
good learning,” these teachers assume the job of instructional leaders.” When
teachers receive professional development from other teachers within their
building, it removes the question “Do you expect me to do this with my kids?”
Teachers begin to say, “If they can do it, I can as well.” Professional development
provided by teacher leaders become an effective practice when there is a shared
vision.
[Battelleforkids]. (2016, February 5). Building the capacity
of teacher leaders [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCSixaUh-UM&t=9s.
Checkley, K. (2016). Nurture good teachers, develop
good leaders. Keeping Good Teachers, 6(9).
Culatta, R. (2019). Creating a shared vision. The
Tech-Savvy School, 76(5), 26-29.
Talks,
TEDx. “Empowering the Teacher Technophobe: Kristin Daniels at
TEDxBurnsvilleED.” YouTube, YouTube, 6 Nov. 2013,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=puiNcIFJTCU&t=7s.
Whitehead, B.M., Jensen, D., Boschee, F. (2013). Planning for Technology: A guide for school administrators, technology coordinators, and curriculum leaders. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
