Standard+1


 * Standard 1: Demonstrates ability to enhance academic performance and support for and implementation of the school district’s student achievement goals. **

(1) Uses knowledge and understanding of the area education agency’s mission, goals, and strategic priorities to provide services that enhance academic performance. (2) Understands and uses knowledge of area education agency and district goals and data to provide services that enhance academic performance. (3) Participates in and contributes to a positive learning culture. (4) Communicates with students, families, colleagues, and communities effectively and accurately. (5) Uses area education agency, district, and student data as a guide for decision making.
 * The staff member: **

MY ACTION STEPS:

 * (1) Uses knowledge and understanding of the area education agency’s mission, goals, and strategic priorities to provide services that enhance academic performance **


 * (2) Understands and uses knowledge of area education agency and district goals and data to provide services that enhance academic performance. **

> **REFLECTION:** Whenever I made a post to the Agency PD Moodle forum, I made sure that my contribution was a positive one that would validate what we were learning, as well as provide additional perspective. The two posts I've included above as examples illustrate the types of comments I posted throughout the course. My intent was to always display a positive attitude about the new learning, and to provide personal examples of how I was putting the new learning to use. I knew that what we were asking people to do (regarding learning to use... and actually using) so many Web 2.0 tools- tools that that they had never heard of- nor had any experience with- would be challenging. I knew that some would become defensive and question the efficiency and especially the effectiveness of tools like these. What I wanted to do was relate the positive experience that I had in an on-line learning environment... and also try to articulate WHY the experience had been so positive and powerful (because the CEI were woven throughout). I wanted to let people know that on-line learning CAN be very efficient and effective- IF it is done well- and that my beliefs about this were formed after personally experiencing perhaps one of the BEST learning opportunities ever- a course taught completely on-line! > **REFLECTIO**N: I included these two artifacts as samples of my communication skills. These artifacts served as communication with our internal staff regarding the upcoming Peer Review of their Agency PD action plans. I felt that both the Protocol sheet and the e-mail that accompanied it were clear and concise regarding the purpose of the peer review, the process that would be used, and the rationale behind it. Having clear communication prior to the peer review helped to ease people's minds regarding what was expected of them, and also helped them to prepare for the process. The results of the end of session survey indicated that almost everyone found the peer review helpful. There were no indications in the data that people didn't feel prepared, or that they didn't understand the purpose of the process. I believe that this was due to the clarity of the materials sent out prior to the meeting.
 * (3) Participates in and contributes to a positive learning culture. **
 * Posted thoughtful reflections to the discussion forum (Agency PD)
 * **Sept. 13 2010 Post re: Connection between Web 2.0 Tools and CEI:** The first thing that comes to my mind is the connection between the use of Web 2.0 tools and Student-Centered Classrooms. The tools lend themselves to student-driven learning. They allow for collaboration and the construction of understanding- and perfectly support the type of learning opportunity that is open-ended and has many right answers. In student-centered classrooms, teachers provide support for students, along with resources they might need in order to gain conceptual understanding of the topic, but students are the ones who determine the path they take to arrive at that understanding. Web 2.0 tools, if used effectively, can enhance a student's understanding by facilitating meaningful collaboration with others, incorporating thoughtful reflection on what they are learning, and allowing them to chart their own course toward the desired learning goals. (Julie Crotty)
 * **Sept. 19, 2010 Post re: What on-line learning experiences have you had?**The Moodle course that I took last summer through Heartland was one of the best learning experiences I have ever had. The content was Web 2.0 tools, and the instructor was masterful at incorporating all of the necessary elements that made it possible for me to learn... and highly motivated to learn. Even though I never met my classmates (nor my instructor) face to face, I was able to learn from them by reading and responding to their discussion forum posts, as well as the assignments that they posted. It was one of the highlights of my summer- because I learned so much and thoroughly enjoyed myself throughout the class. I also felt a huge sense of accomplishment because every one of the assignments resulted in a "product" or a skill that I would be able to use immediately in my work
 * (4) Communicates with students, families, colleagues, and communities effectively and accurately .**
 * Communicated with colleagues re: the upcoming Action Plan Peer Review Process (Spring 2011)
 * [[file:Artifact- Peer Review Protocol Triads Spring 2011.pdf]]
 * [[file:Artifact- E-mail re Peer Review.docx]]

> **REFLECTION:** Our March 2011 Iowa Core Leadership Webinar was designed around the data collected from a survey conducted in early winter. District Leadership teams were asked to pose their most burning questions (via the survey) regarding any aspect of the Iowa Core and its Implementation. Our AEA Iowa Core Team then analyzed the data, identifying themes regarding the questions that were posed. Our March webinar was designed to address those themes, and was well-received by webinar attendees. I believe that this webinar was appreciated by our participants as it was very responsive to the needs they had identified. Sometimes, I think it is difficult for them to see how what we are doing during a webinar, can help them as they work to implement the Iowa Core. While WE always see a strong connection and try to communicate that, our participants sometimes don't make the same connection. While we will continue to plan webinars filled with content that WE think districts need, we need to continually ask THEM what they need, and respond accordingly as much as possible. I believe that this 'responsiveness' goes a long way toward building relationships with districts regarding all aspects of school improvement.
 * (5) Uses area education agency, district, and student data as a guide for decision making. **
 * Designed a webinar around data collected from leadership teams
 * [[file:March Webinar.pptx]]