Weekly Article: Educational Leadership

http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=1&hid=3&sid=ddb0b6f2-9c06-4725-a240-5c498bf1db78%40sessionmgr10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=eric&AN=EJ844038

1. Sheila, a committed educator that serves as a elementary principal, is frustrated with the education policies. She thinks that the school has been doing the same thing over and over again. She says, "My work for the last six weeks has been test, sort, stack, pack, send, test again. Flow much is enough?" She decided to participate in a conversation with a group of new principals to discuss her concerns about the culture of constant assessment.
The group agreed on the following:

• The "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" approach applies. Standardized measurement of learning through psychometric data is currently required by law, policy, and practice; and it is here to stay. Educators need to pay this measurement system its due.
• Assessing students' learning is essential. No Child Left Behind obliges us, appropriately, to pay additional attention to the achievement of specific subgroups of students. We are also obliged to adapt testing to better serve students, which means being careful to foster and assess learning not covered on the test.
• To manage this paradox, principals need to plan time for personal and professional reflection as well as for ongoing conversations among fellow educators about the essence of their work as leaders.

2. This is news because it impacts a lot of people by motivating them to stand up for what they believe in just like what Sheila did. Sheila complained about her work saying that her last six weeks has been a repetitive cycle of test, sort, stack, pack, and send. She didn't agree with this method so she decided to join a group of new principals to fix the issue. If we all could stand up for what we believe in, rather than just ignoring it and hoping that someone else would step up, we wouldn't get anything done.


3. If I was in Sheila's position and I was really frustrated about something that's going on at the school I teach in, I would do the same thing as Sheila did. You might as well do something about it instead of just complaining about your job.

MSI Weekly Article

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/flu.htm

A 26 year old NFL cheerleader, Desiree Jennings had the flu shot 10 days ago. Now she can't walk, talk, or even eat and has been experiencing seizures. This happend to be a side effect from the Flu shot and it caused the cheerleader to catch a rare neurological disease called Dystonia. Every time she tries to walk forward, she suffers spasms. Strangely though, she can walk backwards fine and can run forward fine but as soon as she stops, she starts to spasm again. Many people are reconsidering about taking flu shots after he's heard about this news.

This is news because it affects many people who are considering about taking flu shots. Because of this event, people are thinking about not taking the flu shot even though it's a rare side effect. Since it's an rare disease, it might not affect many but we aren't for sure who it's going to affect and why. It's going to affect a large population because the flu has no limits. The flu can affect anyone, anywhere and people are going to be looking for vaccinations. This article is important because it tells people that the vaccination might not be 100% safe. It causes Dystonia in wierdcx cases and it might cause other things may be found that is still unknown.

I would wait until further results have come back from other people who took the flu shot. Maybe there is an explanation to why the cheerleader became paralyzed and until they find out, I wouldn't recommend taking it.

4th Post

1.Write about the following: In your recent reading, what has your author/main character said that has stood out to you. Something they did or said, A quote, an experience they had that you had a reaction to?

"A basketball team consists of 12 men - not five or six. If the team is going to function properly, every member must have a role and that includes off the court as well as on."

This stood out to me because Larry Bird talking about teamwork. In basketball, only 5 players can be on the court, the rest of the players on the sideline but the bench players are just as important as the players on the court. Each player on the team must play a certain role for the team to function properly.

2. Talk about someone you know who either lives by the characteristics or traits your author talks about or lives like the subject of your book. Someone who you believe does what the author says to do/or lives by.

A friend I know is somewhat similar to Larry Bird because he is dedicated to his sport. Almost everyday, I see him practicing by himself or with a friend. He doesn't live his life exactly like Larry Bird but he is very dedicated to his sport similar to Larry Bird.

3. Is it important for us to study leadership? Is it important for us to look at what others say or do as inspiration or as an example of how to live or lead? Why or why not?

Yes, it is important for people to study leadership since the study of leadership could lead to more people acting as a leader. More people would have the qualities of a leader and they would be able to view situations in different perspectives.

3rd Post

1. Reactions to the latest pages you have read. What have you found interesting so far? What do you agree/disagree with?

I was amazed at how dedicated Larry Bird was, once he discovered his ability to play basketball all he did was practice. Even when he broke his ankle all he did was shoot free throws. When Bird enrolled at Indiana State, I found it amazing what one person on a team could change the Sycamores from going 13-12 in a season to going 25–3 while Larry Bird averaged better than 30 points and 10 rebounds per game.

2. What leadership traits has the subject of your book shown? Or what leadership traits has your author talked about being important? Use specific examples from the book including page number.

Larry Bird is a leader because he was able to get his teammates to believe in him. He was able to lead his team to the 1979 NCAA Championship Game in his Senior year and even though they lost, he is considered a great leader among people.

3. Talk about a specific quote or passage that has stood out to you so far. What is it? Why do you feel it is important?

"My regular season goal always was - and always will be - to play eighty two consistently good basketball games a year."

I feel that this quote is important because in a way it tells people that he would try his best to play well each game. A person with great leadership skills sets goals for himself and will push himself and his followers to be the best they can be

4. Give me an example of a time that you had to make an ethical decision. What was the situation? Who (no names necessary) was involved? What was the ethical dilemma? Ultimately what did you decide to do and why?

Some swole dude dropped a 20 on the floor and I happened to notice it. I was deciding on whether the ethical decision was to return the money or keep it myself. Obviously the ethical decision was to return it but by the time I got to the 20, the dude was long gone so I ended up keeping it.

2nd Post

1. Your reactions to what you have read so far since last time you posted. Have any of your thoughts about the book changed? What has stood out so far? What do you agree/disagree with?

This book is really interesting so far, it tells the readers that with the right skills and the right amount of work put into it, anyone can become a leader. In the book Larry Bird was poor and didn't have much to work with when he was young. But once he was introduced to the game of basketball he spent hours working on his game and eventually, he became a great leader for the Boston Celtics. What stood out to me the most was the fact that the family believed that if anybody in their family seemed to be heading for a career in basketball, it would have been Larry's brother Mark. Larry would think that Mark was an excellent player. Larry wasn't obsessed with basketball and

2. Have your views of what you thought leadership was changed in any way so far? If so How?

My views have not changed

3. Can you relate a time when you were put in a leadership position. What was it? How do you feel you did in this position?

Yes during soccer season when I had top help my team out with their defense

1st Day Questions

Throughout the book I was surprised how well everything worked out for Larry Bird. Even though he played a little bit in junior high it seemed like he was making most of his shots. Once he found out he was good at playing basketball, he decided to join the school basketball team and during his sophomore year, he was put onto the varsity team. He was injured last season but by working extremely hard, he was able to make the team on the day of their sectionals, and it just so happens that he got into the game and it just so happens that he was the one to make the final free throws to win the game.

I don't really have a similar connection to Larry Bird because I never thought about becoming the best player in the game whether it's football, basketball, or soccer. I haven't put a lot of effort in the sport I play and I don't feel that sleep was a rude intrusion on practice time. So me and Larry Bird have nothing in common as of now based on how far I've read my book.

Quotes that will stick with me:

"First of all, sports was a big part of our lives --- every day."

"My feeling about passing is that it doesn't matter who's doing the scoring as long as it's my team"

(Fill In the Blank)

D.C. is a _______