Has there really been a change in the quality of education this year?

I will maintain that the answer to this question is yes! There is a different feel to the high school this year. Teachers are again excited about their craft. They're sharing their expertise in true learning communities. Students notice a change in the manner in which teachers present information and solicit their feedback.
These are just a few of the changes attributed to two major initiatives: Thoughtful Education and our Technology Integration initiative.
Thoughful education has provided teachers with a host of strategies to differentiate instruction and learning. The information is presented and shared in learning teams and further shared on a virtual platform. Teachers use technology not only as a tool to enhance learning but as a tool for sharing information and professional growth. Collaboration is always something we encourage amongst our teachers. Now, collaboration can be anyplace, anytime. If that collaboration can't be fact-to-face, it can happen on-line within a virtual platform.
There are two platforms that are beginning to develop. A wiki to share the community of practice and use of a social networking platform on Ning
Pat Aroune has been instrumental in helping us integrate our thoughtful education initiative and technology. I believe we are truly treading on uncharted territory and the journey has been very exciting. Thank you Pat and thank you teachers for embarking on our journey.

Thoughtful Education and a Virtual Learning Community

As I look at the date, I can't believe how much time has gone by since my last post. Then I think about how much has been happening in the past month and it's not really any surprise. Our district has been completely immersed in Thoughtful Education practices. Our teachers continue to learns tools that will captivate students, engage them more actively in their learning and stretch their critical thinking skills. Naturally, I'm excited about the changes happening K-12 in how students are learning. What is most rewarding is to see our teachers come together as a professional learning community.
Professional Learning Communities is not new to our district. There have been continuous opportunities for teachers to collaborate. They have discussed action-research, shared data regarding student performance and engaged in book talks. With Thoughtful Education, teachers are coming to during district allocated time and on their own. There is an exchange of ideas, pedagogy and successes. It is not often that a leader has the opportunity to see so many teachers excited about the work they are doing. With the help of our Instructional Technology Specialist, a virtual platform has been developed. It is a place our teachers can post lesson, strategies and resources. I like to think of it as one-stop shopping for our teachers. There are many great minds in the district. One goal is to bring these great minds together. No longer do teachers have to "reinvent the wheel". Teachers now share a common language and their craft. Each day I receive several e-mails notifying me that teachers have posted new information on our wiki. What I see is no less than impressive.
At our most recent curriculum council meeting I asked our members what makes this initiative so different than other initiatives. There responses left me with the feeling that we are truly on the right path. Students are noticing that teachers are taking risks and trying new approaches. They are demonstrating new learning and high level thinking skills. Our teachers feel a renewed sense of collegiality and engage in rich conversations about teaching and learning. Our teachers are to be commended. They are embracing an initiative that is time consuming, stretches their learning, and requires hard work in addition to the planning and teaching that happens day in and day out in their classrooms.