17. Written Expression
1. express ideas clearly in writing;
2. write appropriately for different audiences such as students, teachers, and parents;
3. prepare memoranda, letters, reports, and other job-specific documents.
In today’s society, being able to get ideas across in written format is more important than ever. People want to be able to access and share information quickly, easily, and on their own schedule. School records need to be accurate and concise, letters and web site information needs to be clear and straightforward, leaders need to be able to give and receive information with staff with whom they are not in contact for days or weeks at a time.
Modern meeting structures are not the same as they once were. Several years ago, staff meetings were convened monthly or weekly for the purpose of sharing business items. Upcoming leaders need to know that the teachers of tomorrow more accustomed to getting updates on minor school business – schedule changes for a single day, alterations in lunch schedules, minor maintenance issues and updates, etc. via e-mail. The teachers of tomorrow are right. Having a whole staff meeting on a monthly basis is not in and of itself a problem, but meeting for the purpose of meeting is. School leaders need to embrace the technology that allows staff, students, and the community to take in new information on their own and reserve meetings for planning how to move toward achieving the mission.
I have embraced the use of technology that requires me to put my thoughts into words and used it in several ways in leadership roles that I have had in the past few years. I was able to send carefully planned agendas several days before my PLC meetings as well as minutes, including action items for group members, to structure the work between meetings. I also was able to successfully develop a new schedule with one other staff member, and to facilitate a delegation to march in the Cinco de Mayo parade all with staff members with whom I did not share a prep hour, using e-mail for much of the ground work and having very few face-to-face meetings.
This is an area that I think is vital in my planning to lead a building. From newsletters to website pages to e-mails in lieu of, or in anticipation of staff meetings, communicating in written form is becoming more and more important. Meetings can focus on the work at hand, rather than general business or gearing up for the meeting. An agenda e-mail 24-48 hours ahead of time creates an anticipatory set; teachers know what to bring, what to prepare or read. An attached list of minor business items to look over and having a time during the meeting for questions will allow staff members the chance to actually be more informed, and the meetings more productive.
Another important use of written expression for me will be to inform the school community and public of happenings at the school. Monthly electronic news letters letting families know about events, changes in policy, etc. are an effective way to pass information on. Of course, for major events or changes, there is no substitute for a hard copy of the information that can be sent home. These items can also be placed on the school’s website for families that want to refer back to the information. Utilizing the Internet allows for increased communication, lets the recipient of the information to read it on their own time, allows for individuals to file information on their computers, and reduces the cost and waste associated with paper communications.
1. express ideas clearly in writing;
2. write appropriately for different audiences such as students, teachers, and parents;
3. prepare memoranda, letters, reports, and other job-specific documents.
In today’s society, being able to get ideas across in written format is more important than ever. People want to be able to access and share information quickly, easily, and on their own schedule. School records need to be accurate and concise, letters and web site information needs to be clear and straightforward, leaders need to be able to give and receive information with staff with whom they are not in contact for days or weeks at a time.
Modern meeting structures are not the same as they once were. Several years ago, staff meetings were convened monthly or weekly for the purpose of sharing business items. Upcoming leaders need to know that the teachers of tomorrow more accustomed to getting updates on minor school business – schedule changes for a single day, alterations in lunch schedules, minor maintenance issues and updates, etc. via e-mail. The teachers of tomorrow are right. Having a whole staff meeting on a monthly basis is not in and of itself a problem, but meeting for the purpose of meeting is. School leaders need to embrace the technology that allows staff, students, and the community to take in new information on their own and reserve meetings for planning how to move toward achieving the mission.
I have embraced the use of technology that requires me to put my thoughts into words and used it in several ways in leadership roles that I have had in the past few years. I was able to send carefully planned agendas several days before my PLC meetings as well as minutes, including action items for group members, to structure the work between meetings. I also was able to successfully develop a new schedule with one other staff member, and to facilitate a delegation to march in the Cinco de Mayo parade all with staff members with whom I did not share a prep hour, using e-mail for much of the ground work and having very few face-to-face meetings.
This is an area that I think is vital in my planning to lead a building. From newsletters to website pages to e-mails in lieu of, or in anticipation of staff meetings, communicating in written form is becoming more and more important. Meetings can focus on the work at hand, rather than general business or gearing up for the meeting. An agenda e-mail 24-48 hours ahead of time creates an anticipatory set; teachers know what to bring, what to prepare or read. An attached list of minor business items to look over and having a time during the meeting for questions will allow staff members the chance to actually be more informed, and the meetings more productive.
Another important use of written expression for me will be to inform the school community and public of happenings at the school. Monthly electronic news letters letting families know about events, changes in policy, etc. are an effective way to pass information on. Of course, for major events or changes, there is no substitute for a hard copy of the information that can be sent home. These items can also be placed on the school’s website for families that want to refer back to the information. Utilizing the Internet allows for increased communication, lets the recipient of the information to read it on their own time, allows for individuals to file information on their computers, and reduces the cost and waste associated with paper communications.
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Re Cinco Club.txt Size : 0.002 Kb Type : txt |
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goals.png Size : 0.228 Kb Type : png |
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Sample PLC-PDP minutes.doc Size : 0.02 Kb Type : doc |
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February_2009_letter.pdf Size : 0.062 Kb Type : pdf |
