Articles from the Core Connections blog
Working in a rural, dual-language school with 70% Latino, 50% ELL students, and 90% poverty, I sometimes feel like my school is a ship adrift alone in an ocean, understood by few and misunderstood by many. Since I began teaching English Language Learners (ELL) in 1997, I’ve continuously pursued the answer to this question: “How can I make sure my students continue to work toward grade-level standards while simultaneously acquiring a new language?” My pursuit of effective instruction for ELL (and really all students) has led me to complete Sheltered Instruction (SIOP) training twice, become a key trainer in Guided … Read more
Teaching is highly complex, sophisticated, and rewarding work …We are very proud of the effort and energy our teachers devote to serving our students well. These words, from the University of Washington’s Center for Educational Leadership, greet students, teachers, parents, and guests upon entry to our school. I never want anyone to take for granted the complexity of our profession and the expectations demanded by it. At Ferrucci Junior High (and across the Puyallup School District), strengthened instruction aimed at bettering student achievement is at the heart of our improvement and renewal efforts. Yet, with the many pressing demands on … Read more
Friday Forum is a bi-weekly advice column for educators seeking guidance on educations issues. Please join the discussion – we want to hear your stories and suggestions, too! Q: Can you provide a few examples of resources to help me meet the needs of my diverse learners and ELL students? – Ailene A: When I think about English Language Learners’ (ELL) needs versus the learning needs of non-ELL students, many ideas come to mind. I’ll focus on two key needs. First, ELL students need visual and kinesthetic supports to help them make meaning of the new content that they are … Read more
Teachers and principals must work together to find ways to authentically support and implement fresh ideas about teaching and learning in the classroom. The required implementation of Washington State’s new teacher and principal evaluation law (E2SSB 6696) is rapidly approaching in the fall of 2013. Several of my fellow Core Connections bloggers have offered their thoughts on this significant policy change. (See “Category Archive: Teacher Standards/Educator Evaluation.”) While I’m frequently concerned when legislators, influential leaders, and policy-makers outside my chosen field of education establish mandates in the name of “reform,” the choices, resources, and spirit of implementation in crafting a … Read more
In Good to Great, author Jim Collins introduces readers to the “Hedgehog Concept.” He tells business leaders to imagine three overlapping circles with the questions: What lights your fire (“passion”)? What could you be best at (“best at”)? What makes you money (“driving resource”)? Can this Hedgehog Concept around business drivers be applied in public education where the goal is increased student learning rather than increased profit? As a school leader, I have tried to apply the Hedgehog Concept of system leadership to develop a continuously improving school. Here’s what it looks like: For the purposes of my work, I … Read more
