http://ala.uark.edu/ Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:43:45 -0500 MyBB http://ala.uark.edu/showthread.php?tid=297 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:14:08 -0500 http://ala.uark.edu/showthread.php?tid=297
After only 10 days in the classroom this year it is painfully obvious that we have several students on our team of 75 kids that need some assistance in meeting their emotional needs. I know of one that already attends counseling outside of the school but can see at least 3 and as many as 6 kids that could benefit from either having regular sessions with the counselor or from receiving school-based mental health services.

After discussing this with the administrator at my building, he shared the idea with me that by referring so many kids so early in the year that my opinion may lose some credibility with the school counselor or the counselors from Vista (the counseling service we use for SBMH services). I am gathering data on the students and journaling about things that happen in the classroom 2-3 times a week. However, every day that goes by is a day that these students are not receiving services that could benefit them.

It's a bit of a quandary for me. I want to gather data for at least 2 weeks so I have some substance for my referrals. So far, I feel that I have enough data to refer probably 3 of the 6 students. I know that the students come first, but if my administrator is correct and I lose credibility with the counselor or counseling service, the referrals I make in the future may not carry any weight and might not receive the consideration they deserve.

Anyone have any ideas on how to help me find a happy medium?]]>
After only 10 days in the classroom this year it is painfully obvious that we have several students on our team of 75 kids that need some assistance in meeting their emotional needs. I know of one that already attends counseling outside of the school but can see at least 3 and as many as 6 kids that could benefit from either having regular sessions with the counselor or from receiving school-based mental health services.

After discussing this with the administrator at my building, he shared the idea with me that by referring so many kids so early in the year that my opinion may lose some credibility with the school counselor or the counselors from Vista (the counseling service we use for SBMH services). I am gathering data on the students and journaling about things that happen in the classroom 2-3 times a week. However, every day that goes by is a day that these students are not receiving services that could benefit them.

It's a bit of a quandary for me. I want to gather data for at least 2 weeks so I have some substance for my referrals. So far, I feel that I have enough data to refer probably 3 of the 6 students. I know that the students come first, but if my administrator is correct and I lose credibility with the counselor or counseling service, the referrals I make in the future may not carry any weight and might not receive the consideration they deserve.

Anyone have any ideas on how to help me find a happy medium?]]> http://ala.uark.edu/showthread.php?tid=296 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:50:06 -0500 http://ala.uark.edu/showthread.php?tid=296 "New Phase I Cohort Begins Master Principal Institute"
"Master Principal Institute Hosts Scoring Session"
"Enrich Your Career: The 8 Keys to Leadership Greatness"

Thanks for reading!]]> "New Phase I Cohort Begins Master Principal Institute"
"Master Principal Institute Hosts Scoring Session"
"Enrich Your Career: The 8 Keys to Leadership Greatness"

Thanks for reading!]]> http://ala.uark.edu/showthread.php?tid=287 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:40:50 -0500 http://ala.uark.edu/showthread.php?tid=287
I also followed by setting the norms, which also made the inservice much more effective and minimized distractions. Just simply posting that attendees should put their cell phones on vibrate caused almost everyone in attendance to check their phones. Because of this, these type of disruptions were not existent. Although some sidebar conversations continued, they were kept at more of a minimum that in previous inservices. This resulted in me keeping my focus as well as lowering my stress level.

One activity that we participated in during the institute was cultural graffiti. I altered my inservice by changing a time of silent, personal reflection on individual scenarios at the attendees seats to cultural graffiti. Various opinions about how teachers should deal with parents were posted around the room, and attendees responded with an idea, question, or both. This added more engaging involvement, allowed attendees to be active, and also allowed for a more social reflection time. I believe incorporating this activity further fostered community by allowing interaction and expression of ideas among the teachers. I related this to my regularly used strategy of movement in my classroom, and had not realized before that the same strategy could be so effective with adults. It has caused me to further reflect on the most effective teaching strategies that my building teachers incorporated through a book study last year, and I can now see the usefulness of the same strategies for future inservices. I understand that perhaps in some ways I should view the teachers at my trainings more as students rather than just colleagues. It will be a balancing act, but will be effective.

Kelli Smith]]>
I also followed by setting the norms, which also made the inservice much more effective and minimized distractions. Just simply posting that attendees should put their cell phones on vibrate caused almost everyone in attendance to check their phones. Because of this, these type of disruptions were not existent. Although some sidebar conversations continued, they were kept at more of a minimum that in previous inservices. This resulted in me keeping my focus as well as lowering my stress level.

One activity that we participated in during the institute was cultural graffiti. I altered my inservice by changing a time of silent, personal reflection on individual scenarios at the attendees seats to cultural graffiti. Various opinions about how teachers should deal with parents were posted around the room, and attendees responded with an idea, question, or both. This added more engaging involvement, allowed attendees to be active, and also allowed for a more social reflection time. I believe incorporating this activity further fostered community by allowing interaction and expression of ideas among the teachers. I related this to my regularly used strategy of movement in my classroom, and had not realized before that the same strategy could be so effective with adults. It has caused me to further reflect on the most effective teaching strategies that my building teachers incorporated through a book study last year, and I can now see the usefulness of the same strategies for future inservices. I understand that perhaps in some ways I should view the teachers at my trainings more as students rather than just colleagues. It will be a balancing act, but will be effective.

Kelli Smith]]> http://ala.uark.edu/showthread.php?tid=70 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:57:02 -0500 http://ala.uark.edu/showthread.php?tid=70
This hopefully will become the location for the listserv connections between all institutes.

This place will allow for posts, replies and attachments. Private messages and profiles are also enabled.

Also, the information on here is separated by participants. That is, teachers have access to the teacher forums, principals have access to principal forums, etc. Also, we can moderate who can view, post, reply, attach, etc. for every forum that is here.

After you are registered please send a hello by typing a short message below at the "Quick Reply" box and then click "Post Reply".]]>
This hopefully will become the location for the listserv connections between all institutes.

This place will allow for posts, replies and attachments. Private messages and profiles are also enabled.

Also, the information on here is separated by participants. That is, teachers have access to the teacher forums, principals have access to principal forums, etc. Also, we can moderate who can view, post, reply, attach, etc. for every forum that is here.

After you are registered please send a hello by typing a short message below at the "Quick Reply" box and then click "Post Reply".]]>