Week 5

Wow! Is it really week 5? I enjoyed reading about the process of creating a vision statement. As I stated earlier, it is all so familiar to me as we just recently went through the process as a school when implementing Professional Learning Communities. When I was working on my meeting agenda, I struggled with what should be done and what I know I will be able to accomplish with my team. The team has buy-in to the project but it is seen as an 'extra' to what else we are doing. Although my meeting agenda says the meeting will last about 45 minutes, I expect it to be much shorter to accommodate everyone's schedule. It might also be shorter as we already have vision statements for different aspects of our school and I can see others possibly wanting to modify an existing vision statement.

This week I got tutoring in the process of going and have had to collaborate a lot with other teachers. These mini meetings have helped me see where others want to go. As you have mentioned before, the key to a good plan is to have everyone else involved and have their buy-in to make it actually work.

Again, my biggest set back is time. Our school is implementing a new intervention program this week at the same time tutoring is beginning. The two run side by side. My other big task is getting teachers to commit the time to tutor and this will be something that will need to be addressed by the planning team when creating our action plan in the coming weeks. It is always my biggest struggle.

Week 4

I am seeing time is the biggest factor when developing my plan. I am hindered by time as well as my stakeholders. The beginning of the school year is such a hard time for teachers and parents. However, I feel it happening at a good time as I am getting our first tutoring session started (next week).

I am also finding the planning process to be familiar to me. Our school has gone through several strategic planning processes for our intervention and guided reading. I have helped with both and can see where we are going.

Week 3

This week was a great focus for me as I am personally planning our tutoring program. I was able to reflect on who has interest and power in the afterschool tutoring program. This also helped me analysis what I need to do as planner and administator.

I read the comments posted for my grade about making sure this is a group plan. Although I hold a lot of 'power' with the day to day operations, I continually try to get the opinions and suggestions from others. Thus far I have had 2 meetings with my adminstrators and informal meetings with classroom teachers and potential tutors. These meetings have already produced a shift in our program from last year. This is only our 3rd year so there is a lot of room for growth.

My principal has also placed me on the RTI committee to do review work of students. The RTI committee overseas the interventions and the after school tutoring is going to fall more within these areas. I am the only classroom teacher serving on the committee. I will be able to gain their input on tutoring during our Professional Learning Community meetings. These are the same teachers that help with tutoring and special services.

Week 2

I enjoyed reading about the different strategic planning models and the process. I reflected on some of the changes we are undergoing at school and am noticing the same steps being followed although I doubt there is a specific model they are following. The steps seem logical in order to produce an outcome. I noticed most of the strategic models all included a mission statement or declaration of values, relfection (pre and post) and a clear action plan.

I was a little unclear about how the organic planning model would lead to a positive outcome. It doesn't seem as focused to me nor strategic. I chose to use it in my model comparison for that reason. I wonder what types of businesses would use that specific model.

As I was reading the different models this week I was trying to pick one that I would try to follow with my project. I liked the IT model as it was the clearest for me. I was also thinking of what mission statement might be used with my chosen project. My major setback is that I am unable to set up a meeting with our curriculm director who is also in charge of the tutoring program. I have been trying to set up a meeting with him for over a month now. There is a lack of leadership in that position and it is hindering me from moving forward with after-school tutoring. However, that is a very real world problem that many businesses face. If I am not able to set a meeting with him this week, than I will rework my plan focus. My principal has agreed to help with the tutoring plan but I may need to shift focus.