Final Self-Assessment: For The Blog

“Imagine that we are faced with a pile of jigsaw puzzle pieces and told to put them
together. Our first reaction might well be to ask for the picture. When we put
together a jigsaw puzzle, we usually have a picture to guide us. None of the pieces
means anything taken alone; only when the pieces are put together do they mean
something.” - (Beane, Toward a Coherent Curriculum, 1995)

When first reading this quote, I could not imagine what you had in mind, the picture was vague. The collaborative efforts through discussion and the final project “put the pieces together” for me. The highlight for this coursework was the group discussions as well as the collaborative curriculum project. The group discussions helped solidify my comprehension of what other school units are developing in their regions. Sometimes the question arises whether one is doing the “right thing” for our school community, and this class assured me that we are heading in the right direction for our students. Although it seems other school regions are also heading in the right direction, we are traveling at different speeds, depending on the stage of development in their school structure and their leadership. It seems quite a few schools are adjusting to consolidation, and transitions can be time consuming and exhausting. It is refreshing to know that we are all in this together, working for the same goals, the success of our students and their learning achievement. The pieces of that puzzle are coming together.

It was enlightening to interview my principal, Larry Schooley, concerning curriculum selection. It seems his perspective matches what I had anticipated when chosen to teach at that school, so no real surprises. Our school is newly formed, and I have never worked for Larry, so gaining this perspective about his views gave me insight into curriculum expectations for our school. This task never would have taken place, so the assignment was appreciated. Another challenge appreciated was the various technological methods you introduced, Skype being the favorite, and one I plan to use again. I am not sure about blogging for my students, but I do plan to create our own website, something I have never attempted. Good inspiration!

The questions surrounding our assessment system were intriguing, and I realize that until our leadership shifts their views of standardized testing, the methodology for standardized testing will not change. What can change is what we do with the results, and I believe our school unit has progressed in that area with further improvement to come in the next few years. It is my hope that if our school does not possess Heidi Hayes Jacobs’ book, Curriculum 21, it will be placed in our teacher resource library. I appreciate that you selected this particular textbook for our course. She is the “puzzle master”!

Thank you for an informative, challenging, and inspiring session! The picture in the puzzle is now clear...

Respectfully submitted,

Jo Ann G. Weatherbee