http://www.yorku.ca/rlt/ron/york_region.pdf
This is a terrific PPT on the benefits of Professional Development and specific aspects that should always be included.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
SEAL brings NAIS President Pat Bassett to Selwyn House
Last night SEAL brought Pat Bassett to speak about 21st Century Governance. The evening began with a very interesting presentation by Anne Marie Keyes - Executive Director of SEAL. She spoke about the reality facing the independent schools such as decreased birthrate and parents who hold very high expectations of their children's school. According to Anne Marie, we need to examine whether our schools are in fact preparing our children for the 21st century. Are we providing the very best in teaching and learning? She presented some must read books such as " A Whole New Mind" by Daniel Pink and "The Oposable Mind" by Roger Martin.
Anne Marie spoke of the competition from the public system with the offerings of great programs and sophisticated marketing campaigns. Our schools can compete by providing a "one stop shop". Parents today are busier than ever and therefore we need to offer programs and develop initiatives that will provide great convenience.
21st century boards need to focus on oversight, foresight, and insight. The Fiduciary/oversight component focuses on doing things right, the strategic/foresight component highlights the need to do the right thing and the insight/generative aspect involves board members leaving a legacy.
Pat Bassett used a ship analogy to explain the boards critical role in ensuring that our schools will be around in the future. Boards must act as the anchor, the rudder and the lighthouse.
We need to spend time at board meetings not only focusing on the very critical oversight role that boards maintain but also the highly important generative - forward-thinking role. A great question for boards to ponder is "What skills will the 21st demand and reward?"
Pat Bassett also spoke about major trends and opportunities that are and will continue to influence our school system. These trends include: access vs affordability; the role of the leader as leader and not only as manager; the retirements of many veteran teachers and the possibilty that this will provide schools with regarding finding, hiring and holding on to new talent. Schools will need to be creative here. (NAIS has an arrangement with Teach for America's roster of teachers who did not make the final cut, but have great drive and ability as outstanding educators); the toxicity of the media; how to compensate outstanding faculty and provide them with real leadership options; and the need for 21st century schools to go green and provide high level technology.
It was a very interesting and worthwhile evening. Our Jewish Day school system was well represented.
Anne Marie spoke of the competition from the public system with the offerings of great programs and sophisticated marketing campaigns. Our schools can compete by providing a "one stop shop". Parents today are busier than ever and therefore we need to offer programs and develop initiatives that will provide great convenience.
21st century boards need to focus on oversight, foresight, and insight. The Fiduciary/oversight component focuses on doing things right, the strategic/foresight component highlights the need to do the right thing and the insight/generative aspect involves board members leaving a legacy.
Pat Bassett used a ship analogy to explain the boards critical role in ensuring that our schools will be around in the future. Boards must act as the anchor, the rudder and the lighthouse.
We need to spend time at board meetings not only focusing on the very critical oversight role that boards maintain but also the highly important generative - forward-thinking role. A great question for boards to ponder is "What skills will the 21st demand and reward?"
Pat Bassett also spoke about major trends and opportunities that are and will continue to influence our school system. These trends include: access vs affordability; the role of the leader as leader and not only as manager; the retirements of many veteran teachers and the possibilty that this will provide schools with regarding finding, hiring and holding on to new talent. Schools will need to be creative here. (NAIS has an arrangement with Teach for America's roster of teachers who did not make the final cut, but have great drive and ability as outstanding educators); the toxicity of the media; how to compensate outstanding faculty and provide them with real leadership options; and the need for 21st century schools to go green and provide high level technology.
It was a very interesting and worthwhile evening. Our Jewish Day school system was well represented.
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