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CSDC CSDC’s Co-presidents Chris Bryan Lois and I invite you to join us as you continue your own professional learning journey this year. Please check our website frequently for updates on the many opportunities available for you and your teams to participate in multiple professional learning experiences that will make our purpose a reality for all of us in Colorado, that every educator engages in professional learning every day so that every student achieves .
I never felt ready enough; I always thought "just one more week . . . or month or . . . ." You may feel that way, too. One thing that let me start school with some confidence each year was knowing that I'd be engaged in professional learning throughout the year, and that each experience would challenge and inform me, helping me to become a better teacher. CSDC is the organization that lets you start the year with confidence and hope for continued learning. We have scheduled many events this year to help you grow in your profession. We hope to see you at all or many of them! |
News Briefs
On February 23, 2010 members of the CSDC Board met with the Colorado Commissioner of Education, Dwight Jones. Our purpose was to:
The Commissioner talked about his vision for the work of CDE, Forward Thinking, and his belief that the work is about support and service to the schools in Colorado. He emphasized that it is important to “allow ourselves to be smarter tomorrow than we are today.” Flexibility is a significant tenet in his work. And it is imperative that teachers’ voices are heard. They are critical in the planning process. In addition Commissioner Jones stressed the importance of internal capacity in organizations and his focus on building that internal capacity at CDE. He shared his thoughts about the challenges Colorado faces with limited funding, and identified areas of need for CDE. Some of those areas include the following:
The Commissioner also shared information about the Race to the Top grant application. Colorado will know sometime in March if it is one of three states to be invited to defend its application in round one or if it will be considered in round two. He encouraged CSDC to look for connections in the Race to the Top grant application. As a result of today’s dialogue, we were invited to have additional conversations with the Commissioner and his staff about the crossover work that we might share. We are also hopeful that the Leadership Forum originally scheduled for February 23rd can be rescheduled sometime during the 2010-2011 school year. To access pertinent information and answers to some of your questions about Colorado education go to . www.schoolview.org. CSDC Conference: January 20, 2010
Three important things that Rob shared, based on the work and research for his new book, include the following:
Rob Bocchino’s website is www.heartofchange.com Thanks to all the participants who were able to attend the conference. We look forward to seeing you at future CSDC events. LEARNING SCHOOLS BRING NSDC’S DEFINITION TO LIFE Peter Senge writes that learning organizations are places “where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning how to learn together” (2006, p. 3). In this issue of JSD, you’ll read about learning schools. In these schools and systems, core elements of NSDC’s definition of professional learning come to life. As you read through the issue, starting with Stephanie Hirsh’s introduction to the definition (p. 10), you’ll see the connection between the concept of a learning organization and the high-quality professional development we hope to see in all schools and districts. Tracy CrowAssociate Director of Publications, NSDC Yet aspiration underlies all the work we do in professional learning — it’s the force that drives us. Senge details what it means: “There are two fundamental sources of energy that can motivate organizations: fear and aspiration. The power of fear underlies negative visions. The power of aspiration drives positive visions. Fear can produce extraordinary changes in short periods, but aspiration endures as a continuing source of learning and growth” (2006, p. 209). You’re hearing aspiration when educators speak of risk, of trust, of trying again. We see the role of aspiration when educators demand more accountability measures, not fewer, and when they engage in reflective dialogue to push themselves harder. As Hirsh explains, “The new definition of professional development is a moral imperative” — one that can address the inequities that deny some students opportunities for academic success (p. 11). Aspiration is a part of each learning school. Look for it in every article in this issue. JSD goes bimonthly: We’re pleased to announce that JSD will come to you six times per year, beginning with the next issue. We know that members will benefit from expanded opportunities to read and write for NSDC. See the inside back cover for upcoming themes and consider submitting an article for publication. |
News Briefs Archive
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