While diving head first into Leadership this semester, I learned many things. Three of the most important things that I learned are the importance of pace, the importance of the “process” and that the details of the process are important.
Pace is something that I admittedly struggle with at times; I tend to be in “all or nothing” and want to get things done ASAP. I think sometimes we all are victims of this viewpoint. But as my toddlers stop to literally smell the roses out front as I am rushing to the car remind me, its not about how fast you go, but what you do on the way. I have learned through the Using Data Process (UDP) that taking things slowly is very important. If we rush this process, then we will miss out on key details that could greatly impact student learning if missed.
Sometimes I think that we are bogged down with the process, but with the case of UDP, we are not. The Process is what makes the approach successful. The journey that the Data Team embarks on is what leads to the results of identifying student learner problems and what we need to implement to solve these issues.
In the UPD Process, again it is important to “get caught up in the details”. The details will provide us with solutions or identify problems that we might not expect. It is important to take it slow, and get lost in the process and details.
There were many tasks that I felt are very important in developing a Data Team and initiating this change in the way we use data. The most valuable experiences to me were the Elevator Speech, the Data Overview and the Action Plans. The Elevator Speech really forced me to “market” the Data Team. I had to think of ways to make this process useful and meaningful to my colleagues – the last thing that they want is more work! But I feel that my Elevator Speech was relevant, meaningful and intriguing to them and will lure them in to the UDP. The Data Overview really forced me to look at the data. I say this because often I am guilty at seeing all of this data, but being a Foreign Language Teacher, I can’t get beyond the questions, “What does this have to do with me?” The Data Overview really put data into perspective for me by forcing me to really look into the data, analyze, and see what it really means. The most useful and important experience was the Action Plans, particularly Part 2. In Action Plan Part 2, I planned out what our Data Team would do for the entire year if we implemented the process and got a Data Team together (hopefully soon). I feel that this experience and tool will be very useful by serving as the frameworks for the Data Team and UDP Process at DCHS.
Going forward, I plan to be a pioneer in implementing a Data Team at my school. We currently do not have one, but are in the process of developing one at DCHS. I know that some of my colleagues will not be eager to analyze and delve into data, but I feel with my knowledge and experience from ITEC 7305, that I can convince them otherwise. I feel that once you start the process, it may seem overwhelming, but it sells itself with the knowledge gained.
Pace is something that I admittedly struggle with at times; I tend to be in “all or nothing” and want to get things done ASAP. I think sometimes we all are victims of this viewpoint. But as my toddlers stop to literally smell the roses out front as I am rushing to the car remind me, its not about how fast you go, but what you do on the way. I have learned through the Using Data Process (UDP) that taking things slowly is very important. If we rush this process, then we will miss out on key details that could greatly impact student learning if missed.
Sometimes I think that we are bogged down with the process, but with the case of UDP, we are not. The Process is what makes the approach successful. The journey that the Data Team embarks on is what leads to the results of identifying student learner problems and what we need to implement to solve these issues.
In the UPD Process, again it is important to “get caught up in the details”. The details will provide us with solutions or identify problems that we might not expect. It is important to take it slow, and get lost in the process and details.
There were many tasks that I felt are very important in developing a Data Team and initiating this change in the way we use data. The most valuable experiences to me were the Elevator Speech, the Data Overview and the Action Plans. The Elevator Speech really forced me to “market” the Data Team. I had to think of ways to make this process useful and meaningful to my colleagues – the last thing that they want is more work! But I feel that my Elevator Speech was relevant, meaningful and intriguing to them and will lure them in to the UDP. The Data Overview really forced me to look at the data. I say this because often I am guilty at seeing all of this data, but being a Foreign Language Teacher, I can’t get beyond the questions, “What does this have to do with me?” The Data Overview really put data into perspective for me by forcing me to really look into the data, analyze, and see what it really means. The most useful and important experience was the Action Plans, particularly Part 2. In Action Plan Part 2, I planned out what our Data Team would do for the entire year if we implemented the process and got a Data Team together (hopefully soon). I feel that this experience and tool will be very useful by serving as the frameworks for the Data Team and UDP Process at DCHS.
Going forward, I plan to be a pioneer in implementing a Data Team at my school. We currently do not have one, but are in the process of developing one at DCHS. I know that some of my colleagues will not be eager to analyze and delve into data, but I feel with my knowledge and experience from ITEC 7305, that I can convince them otherwise. I feel that once you start the process, it may seem overwhelming, but it sells itself with the knowledge gained.