End of the Semester

We are approaching the end of another semester. My first year as a prinicpal has been eye opening to say the least. To all you aspiring administrators let me tell you first hand, that being an Assistant Principal is totally different than being the Principal! Your mindset is different, your sleeping patterns are different, you carry yourself different. Being a principal I have learned to temper justice with mercy. I have learned to listen carefully and speak rarely. Not saying to keep my mouth closed, however being a principal requires listening skills. So many times we want to talk over a parent or a teacher, when in reality they just want to be heard. Since the final decision rests with me, I have to learn to be patient and manage problems before they become "problems". One thing we have done on campus this year is implement common assessments. Every 3 weeks my instructional coordinator creates tests in all core areas. Our student scores have gradually increased each time. I am so proud of our students as they work hard to reach their potential. I want to reward them each and every day for the things they are doing for themselves. I know I will probably never see their final destinations, but I am glad to play a small role in their development.

 

Nov 13

Thanksgiving break is almost here. You can feel the anticipation in the atmoshpere. As I prepare to take my first week-long break I can't help but think how far I have to go as an administrator and leader. So many things come your way in a day, sometimes you want to just close the doors, shut the windows and meditate. That doesn't sound like a bad idea! As I think back, classroom monitoring still rings as key in managing a school. Some teachers will do their very best no matter who the leader is. Others, well they need a little push every now and then. All in all, I am happy with my school. I would like for our teachers to have a little more initiative when it comes to student acheivement, but they do what they are asked to do.
Student acheivement... That is a big dilemma. How does one go about positively affecting student acheivement? For starters, you have to take much. Take much in the way of naysayers. Take much in the way of un-motivated teachers, parents and community members. You have to take all that and mix it in with all the motivated teachers. Stir it all in one pot and hopefully the finished product is student acheivement.
We have begun utilizing our online lesson planner. An invaluable tool for teacher planning. This tool allows me as an administrator to view and comment on lesson plans. I am able to view certain lessons and actually get an idea of what to expect before I enter the classroom. This is the future of education. We have to get on board with technology and teach our students how to manipulate the latest innovations and apply it in their everyday lessons..

Nov 7

This week will be the first week my teachers utilize the new online lesson planner. It is a very useful tool for teachers. I remember when I was a teacher, I tried several electronic lesson plans, none of which was very user friendly. The current software seems to work well. Teachers are required to post their plans weekly. As an administrator I am able to view plans and send instant emails with my comments. As I am going to visit classrooms, I can view what the teacher should be doing when I walk into their rooms. As I have stated before, visiting classrooms is probably the biggest single indicator or predictor of academic success. Constant monitoring is key if you are to effect the type of change you are looking for. I've heard stories of the administrator staying in their office all day and wondering at the end of the year what went wrong. I am striving not to be that type of principal.
Also this week will be my first carnival. Trying to go on field trips and other items needed for students costs money- and a carnival is probably the single biggest fundraiser you can have.

Oct 30 2006

The prevailing theme for our school seems to continue to be our struggles with Math. As I am visiting classrooms, I see the frustration on the faces of some of our students as they struggle with the "new" math. I say new, because students today are required to know more than basic facts. Not only must they answer the "what," they must answer "why"! So many variable go into teaching math. Our teachers have a tremendous responsibility, one that often times goes un-rewarded, but they continue to teach. I am realizing daily that my major focus or task should be visiting and monitoring instruction. As a leader, it is my job to ensure that our teachers remain focused on the task of teaching our students. Also, we must monitor and adjust our instruction where needed.
The subject of departmentalization has been circulated among the staff. As I think on that subject I have my doubts. Departmentalization can work, however I believe the elementary setting is where those personal relationships are formed. When students are contained in one classroom, with one teacher they are able to watch the formation of the child. Students enter one way in August and leave in May a totally different child. Departmentalizing would hinder the effectiveness of the teacher with that growth. Academically, I think it would work if you had the right teacher. A teacher who is strong in Math should be tasked with teaching math. This is an issue I will continue to monitor.

October 23, 2006

Last week ended on a good note. Our 5th grade students participated in a Science competition at one of our local high schools. They were competing against other 5th grade students in areas such as Science vocabulary and Science measurement. Overall, our students won 2nd place. I was happy for them, and proud that they represented our school well. We still have work to do if we plan to reach Exemplary. We are in the 2nd week of the 2nd 9 week grading period. Our focus continues to be in the area of Math, but we are making gains. A preliminary study of our Interim test data shows marked improvement in basic math, which is a prerequisite if our students are to master higher math skills.

I have about 3 books on my reading table right now. Two of them are on the subject of school leadership. The theme or the recommendation all the authors list are the key to effective leadership is monitoring. In this case- being in the classroom. That is the only way you are going to know what is going on, see which teachers are teaching and which need help. It is imperative that I not get bogged down with the non-instructional things and stay in the classrooms. Today, unfortunatley I didn't visit a single classroom. After meeting with my administrative team it seems like the day just flew by. I cannot afford to let that happen. I know we can achieve academically, but I must be the catalyst to monitor and adjust whenever the situation warrants, and the only way I can fully know the situations is to be on the front lines--in the classroom!.

Oct 16

Today is the 11th anniversary of the Million Man March. This event took place in 1995 in Washington D.C. and I was blessed to have been in attendance. That day we took a pledge to support our communities. Being an educator has allowed me to fulfill that pledge everyday.

We just finished the 1st 9 week grading period. It seems like it took forever, but we made it through. Our teachers worked tirelessly to improve student academic performance and it has begun to show. Since our focus this year is in the area of Math, we intentionally gave extra emphasis and time to that subject. We will begin tutoring this week. Our plan is to start with very small groups and build from there. It is our belief that our children who are struggling the most need that extra attention. We will start small and build our tutoring groups from there.

My first 9 weeks as a Principal were very intense. The performance of my school is on my mind daily. Since I don't have an assistant, it is vital that I have competent personnel working for me. I feel lucky to have such competent teachers. Although they are bogged down with the daily pressures of teaching, they still manage to attend to non-instructional duties as well. They plan academic competitions, carnivals and many other programs not directly related to their classroom. This 9 week grading period, with intense instruction and methodical planning should further propel us to Exemplary.

October 9

The past week has been full of surprises good and not so good. For starters, I lost two very good teachers. They both had health issues, so they had to do what was best for them. I will miss them both. Its funny how things work out. I just happened to have 2 very good substitutes who have been doing an amazing job of keeping things together. I feel very fortunate thus far. We have decided to departmentalize one of our grade levels during the 2nd semester. As I have been talking to students and helping them set TAKS goals, I've come to the realization that we have very good students. I know we all say that, but actually talking to students individually has given me insight that I would not have otherwise. I have met with all 4th grade students and learned that they have the capability to pass the TAKS or any other expectation we place before them. I'm actually looking forward to the test in 2007. Since I have been meeting with students I haven't visited as many classrooms, but visiting classrooms daily remains a top priority. This week is a short week, but I will complete my interviews with 3rd and 5th grade by Wednesday and return to my classroom visits.

Being a principal requires so much more than being an instructional leader. Many times you have to mediate between parents and the community. You are looked at as the authority in education in your community. If the principal says it, then it must be true! I often laugh at myself when I think of all the things I am required to be by default. I think about my childhood and how I would run the streets with my friends. We played ball, chased girls, and stayed out as late as we could. I even occasionaly got into trouble in school, however I was never a "problem" child. The "board of education" was the final authority in my school. Still, its funny to know that you can never give up on a child just by looking at them. If I can make it, I really know that anybody can.

Welcome to Fall

The week's are coming and going faster than I count them. Last week we gave our first series of benchmark exams in all subject areas. The results show that we still have some work to do in the area of Math. However, my teachers were pleasantly surprised that our students scored fairly well in Reading and Writing. We will continue to administer these exams every 3 weeks, followed by our district interim tests. Coming up in October we will also begin our tutoring groups. I know it seems rather late to be starting to tutor, however forces outside our control, but issues which must be dealt with, prevented us from begininning sooner.

So far the year is progressing fairly well. I was surprised at the lack of technology available to teachers and students on our campus. I would consider my district very pro-technology. We utilize some of the most cutting edge software programs to track attendance, grades and every aspect of student development. Software programs such as these require teachers to have the latest in hardware and software. Most of my teachers were using Win98 machines, but they were getting the job done! I can't say enough about their efforts. My district offers technology enhancement funds to the schools. This program matches computer purchases with individual campus'. Since none of my teachers were using the latest Operating System, I had to purchase computers. With a small budget it was difficult to do, however we managed to order 9 computers, we are being matched with 7, so at least 16 of my 21 teachers will receive new computers. Its a start!

Take a look at some of the projects our students are doing and posting on their bulletin boards.

A Normal Monday

The day began a little hectic. Two teachers called in sick so I had to move quickly to ensure their rooms were covered. Once they were covered I had to shift my focus to the instruction for the week. This week I plan to visit 3rd-4th grade. I will start with 4th grade Math, since math is one of our weakest areas. Last week we gave our first benchmark assessment and judging from the results turned in, math continues to be a challenge for us.

The TEKS our teachers will focus on include; 4.8 & 9. The students are expected to identify and describe lines, shapes, and solids using formal geometric language. Also, describe shapes and solids in terms of vertices, edges, and faces.

As I am visiting classrooms, I can gauge our teachers level planning by the content being taught. I have been pleased thus far since all our teachers are focusing on the same objectives. Each teacher adds their own creativity to the lesson, but the students are being taught the same subject matter.

Overall, the first 6 weeks have progressed rather smoothly, but we still have work to do to teach our children to be competitors at the highest level.

Principal's Reflections

Greetings...
My name is Mateen Diop and I am the principal at Hirsch ES. Hirsch is a medium size elementary school in the San Antonio ISD. This is my first year as principal and I must say that I am excited. We are 6 weeks into the first 9 week semester and our teachers are working hard.

It is our goal to teach children to be competitors at the highest level. To be the best in all that they desire. We know the importance of TAKS (Texas Assessment Knowledge and Skills) and we are working to raise our scores from last year. If you visit the Great Schools Website you can find a little more information about our scores and demographic data; http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/tx/6011.

This week my focus is on Math. The unit of study is geometry and spatial reasoning. Students will be taught proficiency in (TEK 5.7), generates geometric definitions using critical attributes. (TEK 5.9) Recognize the connection between ordered pairs of numbers and locations of points on a plane.

Our teachers are working very hard to deliver all the content that is needed. They plan together weekly and that planning is evident as I visit classrooms. I can say that when I visit the same grade levels, they are teaching the same content in their own creative ways.

This week we will test our 3-5th grade students on Math. Our Instructional Coordinator will create tests which will allow us to more closely identify those areas where we need to focus.