Week #2 of Cedo565 Leadership and Planning

This week we looked at data from our school we teach at.  I actually enjoyed this a lot.  I wasn't sure if looking at data would intrigue me much, but it really opened my eyes to how my school has changed in recent years.  The school I teach at is Appleton West High School.  One huge change that has been happening to my school is a change of demographics.  As recently as 1995-96, West had a minority student population of 5%.  Most of these students were Hmong students who live in Appleton.  However, if you look at our demographics of current students, we now have 30% of our population who are minority students.  We have many more Hispanic and African American students who have moved here from other parts of the country.  Although are demographics have changed immensely, our performance on state tests scores aren't much different than they have been in the past.  They are lower, but most categories are 2 to 3 points lower than they were 10 years ago.  Act scores really haven't changed at all, still scoring, on average, around 23 points.  It really is amazing to see how diverse our school is now and I really enjoy the challenge of helping all different types of students and learning about their back grounds and ways that help them succeed in school. 

Week #1 of Cedo565 Leadership and Planning

Before this week in this new class, I often though of leaders as those who are in the public eye.  The people everyone knows and goes to for things they need.  I didn't really consider myself a leader.  After reading the 1st chapter in our book How to Thrive as a Teacher Leader , watching Patrick Awuah's TED talk, and doing a few leadership surveys, I realize that I am somewhat of a leader.  In my job as a learning disabilities special education teacher, I am often taking on leadership roles.  I have taken on the responsibility to help others around me, whether I'm working with students or peers.  Although I don't get in front of the whole staff and "lead" very often, I am a go to person in terms of personal issues, work related issues and technology issues.  I have many people that value my input and turn to me if they need something.  I think this week has shown me that those virtues that I possess are very powerful and important to the people in my life and I am a strong leader because of that.