As an Elementary School Principal, I served as the educational leader and administrator of the school with an emphasis in supporting staff to create an active and engaging environment for all students. In order to achieve academic success, it is vital that the Principal plans, implements, directs, and evaluates various school programs and activities while maintaining a balanced budget, effectively evaluating staff, and providing specific and timely communication for all staff.
In a project instituted at Angell, we worked with the custodial staff and technology department to install digital projectors in to every classroom. This project was completed under budget and in house with Berkley staff members to support the purchase of iPad for every classroom teacher. Teachers were given iPads for student use through the Berkley Education Foundation but the ability to share the screens was difficult. The addition of the digital projectors allowed for the ipads to have their screens-casted, apps displayed, and other functions with the desktop computers. Title I dollars were also used to supplement these efforts through the purchase of additional iPads to be used by students.
Additionally, we worked collaboratively to put on a variety of events both during the school day and after school to build a positive culture within the school and the community. We had events like the Fun Run which saw an increase to our yearly income from about $6,500 to almost $10,000. As the primary fund raiser for the year, the increase lessened the need to have additional fund raisers throughout the year which we were able to reduce. In the past, Angell students and PTA participated in the annual Reflections competition. The usual participation in PTA reflections was very minimal across all grades due to the stringent requirements. Working with the PTA and our Art Teacher, we changed from reflections to an themed Art Night format. Participation increased dramatically and students, from all grades, participated in presenting their work and attending an evening with planned art related activities that were supported by classroom teachers and National Honor Society students.
With limited space available at Angell, the decision was made to move from a static computer lab to laptops on carts that could be used throughout the building. Teachers checked out the carts and were able to have students work on the laptops in the classroom and hallways of the school. Though we were limited by not having access to building wide Wi-Fi, the students were able to connect to the internet through routers mounted on the carts. In order to increase the use of the laptops, each class was given a media time that was dedicated as a technology time to use new technology and differentiated computer programs. In order to support my Media Specialist and other teachers in their use of technology, we sent several staff members to the MACUL conference to get some ideas on how to integrate technology in to their classroom and instruction using both the laptops and iPads.
In an effort to prepare our students in the used of technology and new online assessments, we signed up grade levels to participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessment pilot and the Michigan Interim Assessment that took place online. The Smarter Balanced Assessment was given to grades 3rd through 5th and in both Math and ELA. The Michigan Interim Assessment was selected as a pilot for students in grades Kindergarten and 2nd grade. Teachers and students both had access to the assessment to see how the new era of assessments would look and how to inform their teaching to prepare students for this new endeavor. Participating in this new assessment allowed us to have exposure to future ready assessments and gave teachers an opportunity to prepare and use the Common Core curriculum to drive their instruction within their classrooms.