as·pi·ra·tion
aspəˈrāSH(ə)n/
noun
a hope or ambition of achieving something.
synonyms:desire, hope, dream, wish, longing, yearning, aim, ambition, expectation, goal, target
We had our first Teaching-Learning-Innovation (TLI) department meeting this morning. We went around the table and shared what we are reading, either a book or a blog post. Great ideas and conversation ensued.
Then our great assistant director of TLI,
Elaine Smith, had us write an aspiration for the 2018-2019 school year. She shared the definition above. This challenge was a good one. Something about the word ‘aspiration’ makes it sound loftied than ‘goal’. The synonyms probably explain why. Words like ‘hope’, ‘dream’, ‘wish’, and ‘longing’. Much more emotionally based than a goal.
I took this challenge to heart and really pondered my aspiration for this year. Here’s what I decided to commit to print.
Jeff’s Aspiration for 18-19
Through modeling and encouragement, help leaders see the learning and growth possibilities available to them via the act of writing.
I thought about several quotes and ideas as I contemplated this aspiration. First, “
We don’t learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.” -John Dewey
Then second, from
Jay Billy, as I started reading his excellent book
Lead With Culture, I hit this monster idea,
“If you don’t believe amazing things can happen when you try something different, if you aren’t willing to take that leap of faith, you are destined to mediocrity—and your students are too.” Wow!
Third, Jay Billy shares the next quote, from Brad Currie, “Students take risks when they see teachers take risks. Teachers take risks when they see school leaders take risks.”
Brad’s quote ends there. With our TLI staff, I added the next line, germane to our roles, “School leaders take risks when they see district leaders take risks.”
So one of our risks will be to write. We have an enormous wealth of experience in the classroom, as the building level, and in our district. We need to be willing to share our thinking and experience. In fact, more than willing. It’s our job. It’s our responsibility.
And through that modeling…we will reflect on our experience. And we will continue to grow and learn.
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Author: Jnelson
Jeff Nelson
Fife School District
Assistant Superintendent:Teaching-Learning-Innovation
39 years as an educator.
16 years teacher
3 years assistant principal
12 years principal
8 years Assistant Superintendent
BA, Washington State University
MAEd, Washington State University
Previous member of AWSP Legislative Committee
Previous member of UW Tacoma PEAB, Administrative Certification
Established and maintained Fife’s first website for 7 years
Present work includes establishing the first Teaching/Learning/Innovation department in the Fife School District. Examples of responsibilities include: teacher/administrator professional development, assessment, TPEP, curriculum/materials review, 24 credit requirement, technology levy leadership, teacher/administrator bargaining.
Initiatives underway in Fife, as a result of new TLI Department: AVID, OER, Curriculum and Materials reviews, Student Perception Pilot with CSTP, Google Expedition
Cofounder of Educational Internet Communications, LLC. Marketed and sold one of the first online grade checking programs in the US. Consulted with Seattle Educational Internet Company for 2 years.
jnelson@fifeschools.com
twitter.com/jeffnelsonTLI
View all posts by Jnelson
The Lighting of a Fire 
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