How would they know?

It is early Sunday morning as I type this.  I just finished reading the newspaper and reflecting on the contents as well as my conversation with my 16 year old daughter.  We are a STEM campus, right?  My daughter asked me what we do differently or how would she know we were a STEM campus if she came to visit?    I thought about it and said Wow!!!!  I don't think she would know other than the name on the building.  Then each week I read about how other elementary students are doing really neat science and math activities and we are not.  We are still teaching the same way we did last year, so much to the fact that one staff member was concerned that they presented the same exact lesson as last year and received a lower observation score.   People, the expectations, goals and accountability(campus, district and state) are much higher this year and they are not going away.  The old adage "this too shall pass no longer applies."    What is even more troubling is that there are only a few of you bringing ideas and activities to the table.  We (administrators and master teachers) cannot lead/introduce everything create a culture of excellence all by ourselves.  It is a team effort that involves everyone.  Your question this week is how are you going to make GW Carver a true STEM campus and how will a visitor know that there is STEM focus in your classroom and on the campus?  Please post by 5:30 pm today.

Data Walls

Please describe in detail how you are using your data walls to focus and increase student achievement.  If you are not a CORE content teacher, please describe in detail how you are "collaborating" with the CORE content teachers for student success....Please post your response by 6:00 pm on 10/11/2011.

On thriving!

On page 53 Gordy says "I want to do more than survive. I want to thrive."  How many of us have become content with merely surviving in our personal and professional lives?  We have accepted that things could be worse, I am better off than most and I should be thankful for what I have?  While this is noble, I am choosing to aspire for more.  My newest ink poses this question for me, "why not?"  Like Gordy, I too want to thrive not only in this life but the next!  I challenge you to ask yourself, why not you as you see others thrive today.   As you finish this book, how/what are going to do to ensure that you "THRIVE" this year and beyond?