Some thoughts on Sandy Hook

It's December 18 and I've been thinking about how to connect with the group and share some thoughts about the shootings and deaths in Connecticut.  I've gone back and forth about writing at all - I decided to post because it is a way to process and because I think it is critical that we consider the leadership moments and responsibilities presented.

Let me begin by noting my deep sadness, grief, horror, fear and frustration.  I cannot adequately express how terribly I feel at times - when I imagine the actual event, when I imagine the parents of the children, when I imagine the teachers, when I imagine the aftermath for the administrative leaders....  One of my coping mechanisms is to intellectualize and to imagine doing, because there is little I feel I can actually do at this time.

If we were together in class, we would have discussed this event as a means to process.  As well, I imagine we would have guided the conversation to the future and considerations for our current work places as well as the decisions the administrative team in Sandy Hook will face in the coming weeks.

So I offer the following questions for consideration - I'm sure this is not an exhaustive list; this is just where my mind has gone.  None of these questions are meant to disrespect anyone or diminish the feelings involved - these are some of the pragmatics.

When does the school reopen?  Who will be the administrative leader?  How does a new principal get selected/assigned?  And how does that person even begin to take a leadership role?

Is this classroom ever used again?  What should be done with the classroom?

Do teachers need to be hired?  Do we hire within or recruit outside the district?

How does security need to be changed?  Do front office procedures change?

How much does the administrative team involve the community in various decision?  What are the appropriate decisions to consider input?

And when is it appropriate to begin these conversations?  How does the team respect and honor those lost and those living, and fulfill their responsibilities to the students and the community?

Okay.  Those are the immediate questions on my mind. Believe me, I wish we did not have this lesson.
In the back of my mind I hear a voice telling me "it's too soon. This is not the time or the place."  Perhaps not.  Yet, the Superintendent in the district and the rest of the leadership team will have to address these questions and others.

 It is overwhelming and heart wrenching.  And I trust that JDP 7 knows where I'm coming from.

Peace.

November ponderings.....

In this post, I will share some thoughts that are flittering around in my brain this afternoon....

I recently went to Saipan for a WASC visit.  It was an amazing experience - and that is an inadequate description.  The travel process was long but smooth.  It is quite stunning that a person can travel for about 14 continuous hours and wind up on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  The globe is accessible.  The work completed on this trip was extensive, research oriented, and engaging.  The cultural experience was invigorating.  I feel like this trip was a turning point for me in that I feel re-engaged with scholarship and academia.  I met skilled, intelligent and dedicated educational leaders from the community college system.  And I feel like a whole new world has opened.

My College has entered another transitional phase.  I am confident that we will move through this transition in a positive way.  It will be bumpy given some of the current indicators.  The organization is robust and people are skilled and focused.  This experience will be a great case study someday.

This morning's class was vibrant, dynamic and in-depth.  I really enjoy listening and talking with everyone.  It is great to have others design and lead the learning discussions.  The task that we set for this morning was not easy.  The Christensen books are dense and each group, including Team Higher Ed, synthesized and applied the ideas concisely and meaningfully.

I am a bit overwhelmed with the technology tools.  I don't think that's a bad thing.  I am in a stage of learning and my lack of expertise is a stage in my learning.  My learning has definitely been disrupted.  So forge ahead.

Leadership Southwest County

I am a member of the inaugural class of the Leadership Southwest County.  Organized by CSU San Marcos in partnership with Southwest County stakeholders, the group brings together individuals from education, business, government, non-profits, etc to form a leadership network in the Southwest Riverside county region.  We meet monthly to learn about the Southwest County and to explore leadership as a concept and in action.

Yesterday was our second meeting that focused on government.  I learned a lot.  I developed a new respect for individuals involved in government across the county.  I began to see how leadership skills across multiple organizations and settings, begin and end with the ability to communicate, develop relationships, work collaboratively and to always work for a greater purpose than an individual identity or ego.  We met and listened to leaders of school districts, water districts, city managers, county officials.  We learned from appointed and elected officials.  We explored unique resources of the region such as the large and diverse, sovereign nations, California Indian community.

It was a long day.  I appreciate the time everyone invested and gave to the group.  I would have liked to discuss what I was hearing and learning about with my colleagues a little more - I'm sure that will happen in the future.

The Chief of Staff for Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries said something that really stuck.  He noted that in his experience, government classes or civics classes usually focus on the federal and state government.  Very little time is devoted to local government.  He believes that local government has the greatest and most immediate impact on our daily lives.  I think he has a valid point.  Living in a growing city like Murrieta, I've experienced elements of good and poor local government decisions and actions.  We know who to call when the street light goes out in front of our house at least three times a year - perhaps there's a wiring problem somewhere folks......  And yet, I've paid little attention to local elections.  Not anymore.  I'm going to make sure I'm better informed and talking with people.  Should be interesting.....

Thoughts on "Learning in New Media Environments" - Dr. Michael Wesch

I really love TED.  I love that I can listen and think.  I love that so many people are willing to share and put themselves out there with their passions, questions and want to connect.  To date, I have not seen a bad TED talk.  I hope I can one day be as thoughtful and provocative and these speakers.

Dr.Wesch's experiences and ideas are very thought-provoking.  I know that sounds pedantic and trite, but really, I'm thinking.  I don't teach big lecture classes.  I don't teach undergraduate classes.  My teaching is more focused, grounded in a larger mission and with a clear and deliberate "applied" focus.  However, I'm pondering what APPLIED means.  How do I ask student to co-learn with me and how do we apply what we've learned together?  What is "relevant" to students?  How do I ascertain relevancy?

As I mentioned in our first class session, the epistemology of knowledge has shifted.  Who are experts? What counts as verified, real, quantifiable knowledge developed through accepted research methodologies?  I don't know.  What purpose does this packaging of knowledge serve?  Whose purposes does this packaging serve?

Another thought that flitted through my mind is related to the narrative Dr. Wesch shared regarding the culture shift that occurred when a census was introduced.  Wow.  I have to reread Freire with this narrative in mind.  Is literacy always a means to power?  Who is defining power?  For what purpose and with what outcome?  And who is calling the shots in the context?

Finally, Dr. Wesch has made me question how we complete assignments this quarter......hmmmm......how might the JDP class share their future scenarios and take advantage of a broader learning community???

Visitor or resident?

I'm definitely a visitor in all aspects of my personal and professional life.  I do like this characterization rather than native/immigrant - this always smacked of some kind of judgment to me and reminded me of Obgu's typology of immigration and assimilation experiences.  A native/immigrant dichotomy never seemed dynamic to me in much the same way that Ogbu's typology seemed static and inadequate.

The visitor/resident typology seems dynamic, in-depth and fluid.  I can elect to be visitor or resident depending on the context.  This gives me some sense of control regarding my identity and image in an online environment.  I realize this may be a naive and false sense of comfort - however, I can be in charge of what I elect to put out there voluntarily and I will trust in other professionals to assess me within the context of how I define my work.

The technology skills don't scare me really - I'm willing to try tools and to mess up.  For example, it took me about five minutes just to find my blog!!  I am confident I will develop my own organizational system for keeping this stuff straight and organized.

Day one learning

As I've mentioned, when Jeff started to teach me about a digital presence, I was very hesitant.  I'm so used to keeping private that the thought of putting myself out there was scary.  After this morning, I'm feeling excited; still nervous, but open to the potential.

place reflection here!