Communal Learning Environment
Education of students to the achievement of high standards requires providing them with the highest quality educational environment. This takes work, sacrifice and commitment on the part of all school staff members, parents and members of the larger community. Through open and balanced collaboration, these parties will be able to formulate and sustain a common vision for the school. The following components are just a few of the key elements in the formation of a positive educational environment.
School Vision
Articulation and formation of a school vision is essential for the success of all those involved in the learning process. A clear and concise vision for the school will offer organization, guidance, standards and goals to assist everyone in accelerated achievement. First and foremost, the formation of this vision takes a strong and focused leader. The Principal, in conjunction with a leadership team, will establish the framework necessary to formulate an accurate and meaningful vision. These leading individuals will have a working knowledge of all staff members and the contribution that they bring to creating a school vision. It is important that others feel included and empowered in the formulation of a school vision and in the process of carrying it out. Through collegial and collaborative relationships among the staff, the model is set forth for interactions and the inclusion of other participating members.
Once a solid and sustainable vision for the school has been created, it must be set in motion and allowed to guide the life of the campus. While the framework and course of the school vision is relatively solid and static, a genuinely committed leadership team will recognize times and places where adjustments are needed. The following are essential groups that play a role in carrying out a school vision.
Professional Staff
As the backbone of the school community, it is imperative that the entire faculty possess a lively and engaged understanding of the school vision. Each and every member of the staff has a role in carrying out this vision and providing students with nothing less than the absolute best educational experience.
Embracing the dynamic of adult learning will help facilitate this process of following the school vision and being ever vigilant for the exact needs of every student. To be successful, teachers and faculty members must commit themselves to a continual process of learning how to embrace the latest trends in teaching, the newest methods of differentiation and the latest advances in classroom technology. If one remains stagnant in the methodology or ideology of the past, students will suffer and the school's course of direction will waver. This learning environment must maintain an ebb and flow between teachers and administrators. On the one hand, administrators must lead and direct the movement of the school however they must be able to listen to ideas and energies coming from the teachers. In turn, teachers must know when to offer suggestions and constructive criticism, and other times when cooperation and commitment are required.
This environment of professional learning is grounded in the vision of the school and in student performance data. This allows authentic and focused adaptation of instruction and assessments. Teachers must be open to know when success is not at its full potential and when improvements are needed. Administrators must understand when to embrace teacher creativity and when to mandate uniformity. In a spirit of collegial cooperative commitment, administrators and faculty members will work to realize the overall vision of the school, while simultaneously guiding students towards the realization of their own personal goals.
Parents
Without the input and inclusion of parents and guardians, the vision of the school will lose significant motivation and vibrancy. Making connections between parents and teachers helps foster a spirit of educating the whole child, thus working to ensure guaranteed success. Parental involvement and engagement in the learning process will take place via several different venues.
A campus should organize and deliver upwards of 10-12 family centered activities per academic year. These programs allow teachers to open the doors of the classroom and demonstrate the learning dynamic to parents and family members. Building a bridge between a child's academic life and home life will help ensure deep seeded learning. Parents should have a working knowledge of the programs, goals and learning strategies that are used daily in the classroom, as well as teacher expectations for behavior and performance. Together, parents, guardians and teachers can offer a comprehensive and all inclusive approach to education. This partnership will provide students with the avenue for high achievement.
Because a student's education is more that simple reading, writing and math, schools should provide different programs that promote the expression of social and communal growth. As students learn about the importance of building a strong community and achieving personal goals, they should have the opportunity to put that learning into practice. Along with parental support, schools should organize activities such as, Service Team, Gardening Club, Technology Group, Student Council, Choir, Art Club, etc. These programs provide avenues for teachers and faculty to share individual areas of expertise and passion with students and families. Students are afforded the opportunity to learn about a plethora of different expressions of the mind, body and soul. In other words, students are given a change to explore various interests and discover budding talents they might not otherwise know they possess. Together, students, parents and staff work for the betterment of the community and the enrichment of the child.
Beacuse school parents are active working members of the community, it is important to include them in the formation of school goals and the development of school programs. Parents bring a deep seeded love for their children and a desire to watch them succeed. With this in mind, it is imperative that schools tap into this connection and allow parents to partake in the process of leading the school. While the ultimate decision making factor lies with the Principal and administrative team, one should never overlook this rich source of insight and knowledge. Furthermore, bringing parents on board in the discussion of school goals and programs creates an endless network of connections and resources. If student success and sustainable programs are at the forefront of a leaders mindset, then the framework for support is found within the knowledge base of the parents.
Community
Building connections with the larger community offers strength, support and stability for schools. Considering the ratio of students to faculty, it would be impossible for a school to meet every single need presented by families. Therefore, tapping into the rich and bountiful community resources will help schools meet the diverse and extensive needs of its student population. A school needs a strong support system to assist families when issues arise with finances, health or transportation. Occasionally, parents and students need additional support with legal matters or their living situation. To meet this diversity of needs, school leaders must build partnerships with the community that can help provide parents and students with a stable environment in which they can learn and grow. Regardless of individual beliefs or interests, if leaders fail to address these central issues in the life of a family, a student's education will suffer. Some of these helpful auxiliary services in the Victoria area include Gulf Bend Services, MidCoast Family Services, VCAM, and other faith based organizations. A full working knowledge of these services provides an added layer of support for leaders and faculty members.
A second side of community relationships is the importance of bringing programs into schools that will enrich the educational experience of students. There are numerous community organizations that provide supportive and formative services for students. While the list of community resources is seemingly endless, some important groups that augment the educational environment are the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and various youth sports leagues. These organizations offer a tremendous network of engagement and activity for students. Partnering with these organizations helps a school in the full and complete education of the whole child.
Education of students to the achievement of high standards requires providing them with the highest quality educational environment. This takes work, sacrifice and commitment on the part of all school staff members, parents and members of the larger community. Through open and balanced collaboration, these parties will be able to formulate and sustain a common vision for the school. The following components are just a few of the key elements in the formation of a positive educational environment.
School Vision
Articulation and formation of a school vision is essential for the success of all those involved in the learning process. A clear and concise vision for the school will offer organization, guidance, standards and goals to assist everyone in accelerated achievement. First and foremost, the formation of this vision takes a strong and focused leader. The Principal, in conjunction with a leadership team, will establish the framework necessary to formulate an accurate and meaningful vision. These leading individuals will have a working knowledge of all staff members and the contribution that they bring to creating a school vision. It is important that others feel included and empowered in the formulation of a school vision and in the process of carrying it out. Through collegial and collaborative relationships among the staff, the model is set forth for interactions and the inclusion of other participating members.
Once a solid and sustainable vision for the school has been created, it must be set in motion and allowed to guide the life of the campus. While the framework and course of the school vision is relatively solid and static, a genuinely committed leadership team will recognize times and places where adjustments are needed. The following are essential groups that play a role in carrying out a school vision.
Professional Staff
As the backbone of the school community, it is imperative that the entire faculty possess a lively and engaged understanding of the school vision. Each and every member of the staff has a role in carrying out this vision and providing students with nothing less than the absolute best educational experience.
Embracing the dynamic of adult learning will help facilitate this process of following the school vision and being ever vigilant for the exact needs of every student. To be successful, teachers and faculty members must commit themselves to a continual process of learning how to embrace the latest trends in teaching, the newest methods of differentiation and the latest advances in classroom technology. If one remains stagnant in the methodology or ideology of the past, students will suffer and the school's course of direction will waver. This learning environment must maintain an ebb and flow between teachers and administrators. On the one hand, administrators must lead and direct the movement of the school however they must be able to listen to ideas and energies coming from the teachers. In turn, teachers must know when to offer suggestions and constructive criticism, and other times when cooperation and commitment are required.
This environment of professional learning is grounded in the vision of the school and in student performance data. This allows authentic and focused adaptation of instruction and assessments. Teachers must be open to know when success is not at its full potential and when improvements are needed. Administrators must understand when to embrace teacher creativity and when to mandate uniformity. In a spirit of collegial cooperative commitment, administrators and faculty members will work to realize the overall vision of the school, while simultaneously guiding students towards the realization of their own personal goals.
Parents
Without the input and inclusion of parents and guardians, the vision of the school will lose significant motivation and vibrancy. Making connections between parents and teachers helps foster a spirit of educating the whole child, thus working to ensure guaranteed success. Parental involvement and engagement in the learning process will take place via several different venues.
A campus should organize and deliver upwards of 10-12 family centered activities per academic year. These programs allow teachers to open the doors of the classroom and demonstrate the learning dynamic to parents and family members. Building a bridge between a child's academic life and home life will help ensure deep seeded learning. Parents should have a working knowledge of the programs, goals and learning strategies that are used daily in the classroom, as well as teacher expectations for behavior and performance. Together, parents, guardians and teachers can offer a comprehensive and all inclusive approach to education. This partnership will provide students with the avenue for high achievement.
Because a student's education is more that simple reading, writing and math, schools should provide different programs that promote the expression of social and communal growth. As students learn about the importance of building a strong community and achieving personal goals, they should have the opportunity to put that learning into practice. Along with parental support, schools should organize activities such as, Service Team, Gardening Club, Technology Group, Student Council, Choir, Art Club, etc. These programs provide avenues for teachers and faculty to share individual areas of expertise and passion with students and families. Students are afforded the opportunity to learn about a plethora of different expressions of the mind, body and soul. In other words, students are given a change to explore various interests and discover budding talents they might not otherwise know they possess. Together, students, parents and staff work for the betterment of the community and the enrichment of the child.
Beacuse school parents are active working members of the community, it is important to include them in the formation of school goals and the development of school programs. Parents bring a deep seeded love for their children and a desire to watch them succeed. With this in mind, it is imperative that schools tap into this connection and allow parents to partake in the process of leading the school. While the ultimate decision making factor lies with the Principal and administrative team, one should never overlook this rich source of insight and knowledge. Furthermore, bringing parents on board in the discussion of school goals and programs creates an endless network of connections and resources. If student success and sustainable programs are at the forefront of a leaders mindset, then the framework for support is found within the knowledge base of the parents.
Community
Building connections with the larger community offers strength, support and stability for schools. Considering the ratio of students to faculty, it would be impossible for a school to meet every single need presented by families. Therefore, tapping into the rich and bountiful community resources will help schools meet the diverse and extensive needs of its student population. A school needs a strong support system to assist families when issues arise with finances, health or transportation. Occasionally, parents and students need additional support with legal matters or their living situation. To meet this diversity of needs, school leaders must build partnerships with the community that can help provide parents and students with a stable environment in which they can learn and grow. Regardless of individual beliefs or interests, if leaders fail to address these central issues in the life of a family, a student's education will suffer. Some of these helpful auxiliary services in the Victoria area include Gulf Bend Services, MidCoast Family Services, VCAM, and other faith based organizations. A full working knowledge of these services provides an added layer of support for leaders and faculty members.
A second side of community relationships is the importance of bringing programs into schools that will enrich the educational experience of students. There are numerous community organizations that provide supportive and formative services for students. While the list of community resources is seemingly endless, some important groups that augment the educational environment are the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and various youth sports leagues. These organizations offer a tremendous network of engagement and activity for students. Partnering with these organizations helps a school in the full and complete education of the whole child.