Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from 2016

Implementing Mobile Technology without a Single Mandate

“Innovation is the distinction between a leader and a follower.”  – Steve Jobs How did the Madeleine achieve overwhelming success implementing mobile technology with its staff and students in such a short period of time? Here's the success story.   The Catalyst of an Innovative Idea In September of 2010 the Parent Association stated they would donate funds toward an innovative technology program that would benefit the students. The Innovative Idea The Principal asked the PA to consider a pilot program where iPads might be incorporated into the Kindergarten program. The idea generated awareness among all the other teachers that wanted to experience the iPad technology first and explore ways in which the technology could be integrated into their classrooms as well. Educator Incentive Teachers were asked to consider if they wanted to use an iPad and explore its potential for instruction. The principal reached out to the faculty and offered that if they were interested

What is 21st Century Learning? Let's ask the students.

What is 21st Century Learning? Students Respond, "That's the wrong question... The video was commissioned by team at Picaboo Yearbooks. The video was produced and directed by the students of the Madeleine.

What/Who is 21st Century Learning?

What/Who is 21 st  Century Learning?  - by Ken Willers Did you know, that today’s Kindergarteners will retire around the year 2074? Astonishing to think, huh? But, it serves as a stark reminder that we, as educators, are called to prepare today’s five-year-olds, as Ian Jukes stated, “for THEIR future and not our past?” If a school is not living out this call, or even worse, resisting it, that school has no right to exist.  In 21 st  Century Learning students who can think critically and communicate effectively are better able to build on their base of core knowledge. Within the context of 21 st  Century Learning of core knowledge and faith instruction, students also learn the essential skills for success in today’s world, such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration. When schools build on these skills by combining the necessary support systems—standards, assessments, curriculum and instruction, professional development, faith formation and l

How Students and Teachers Designed 21st Century Classrooms

Students help revitalize and reinvigorate classrooms for 2015 Light, height, air. These tiny entities are the agents of change coming to the Madeleine classrooms in Fall 2015 that will transform and improve the way that our students learn. And the students themselves helped make that happen. Armed with suggestions and drawings from the students that showcased their dream classroom, a redesign team will revamp portions of each 1st through 8th grade classroom this summer.  “These improvements will facilitate and encourage more of the great teaching that already takes place at the Madeleine,” said Joseph Nagel, eighth grade teacher.  “Teachers will more easily be able to move around  and teach from different parts of the  room, and students will have greater access to whiteboards and storage areas.”  The redesign of the classrooms has been carefully thought out, he  said, to make the flow of teaching and learning effortless.  On the first day of school, students in the m

21st Century Educational Leadership: Creating a Culture of Collaborative Decision-Making

Agree to Disagree  by Ken Willers         O nce Upon A Time , there were three tailors, who were very dedicated to making clothes. They prided themselves on how well they got along with each other because they agreed never to disagree.              One day a man came in and asked if he could have a pair of pants made for him. The first tailor looked at the man and from sight attempted to guess his size. The second tailor also looked at the man and from sight attempted to guess his size. It didn’t take long before the two tailors soon realized that they both had come to different sizes so, rather then have a disagreement, they agreed to divide the pants in half each making one side. The third tailor, however, took a measuring tape and sized up the man. When he told the other two tailors that both were wrong with their sizes he was immediately fired for he had broken their agreement not to disagree.              A few days later the man returned to pick up his new pants and

EdTech Innovation and the Role of Students

Ed Tech Innovation must engage and inspire student-directed learning and result in some ‘meaningful’ or value-oriented outcome.  When a student’s experience of an Ed Tech product results in creating something purposeful the following happens:  skills are acquired concepts are deepened  failed attempts are not interiorized as negative but serve as motivation to achieve one's desired outcome  In other words, doing something over until it is ‘right’ sharpens skills, reinforces concepts and is a great lesson on the power of iteration.     Innovative Ed Tech products must achieve these three opportunities for younger students.  Bringing coding and robotics to students, as young as 5, in a platform that engages, teaches and provides ‘meaningful’ or value-oriented outcomes is in opportunity that offers student-directed learning to an age group that have very limited options. Students will acquire skills and concepts around coding and will continue to code until their de

Letter to parents regarding teachers

Dear Parents,  I want to share with you a few personal reflections that I have kept to myself all year regarding my commitment to the Mission of the Madeleine.  I deeply love the Madeleine's Mission. I believe my early years at the Madeleine (1993-2001) were profoundly formative. I imbibed the culture and the Spirit of the Dominican Charism and worked alongside some very amazing educators. These past six years have also been extremely rewarding. Partnering with tremendously giving and talented colleagues, collaborating with the expertise of committed parents and stakeholders to plan and advance the school’s Mission and serving the smartest, sweetest and most exceptional children and their parents has been extremely rewarding.  Reflecting back over the course of this year I realized how precious and vulnerable each and every one of our teachers are and how vital they are to the success of our Mission.  This year, many of our staff members were confronted with life events that result

Catholic School's Week Homily by Ken Willers

Good Morning! The words of the prophet Jeremiah this morning: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I dedicated you, to be a prophet to the nations. Wow…think about that boys and girls… Before you were born, God knew you —God dedicated you —which means God had a plan for you. To be a prophet—hmm Someone who speaks truth and brings hope to others. You know when I was little I used to think, why did God make me---what was God’s plan for me? And then, I ask… Why did God bless me to born on January 31 st which happens to be today? But it also happens to be the Feast of St. John Bosco. A saint, who lived about 150 years ago, and who dedicated his entire life to serving and educating youth —boys and girls, especially the poor. I asked myself I wonder if this means something for me --does God have a plan for me being born on this day? Well, I grew up believing that it did —that G