VANGUARD+Spring+2014

• Modeling collaboration using
various online tools such as Google
Documents, Evernote, Quip, and other
sharing applications for collaboration
and planning: For instance, this
entire article was a collaboration
PRACTICES: LEAD LEARNER
using Google Documents and Google
Hangouts. Evernote allows you to
share notes with multiple people and
keeps them stored in one location.
It is easily accessible from your
smartphone too!
This may seem like
too much on top of all
the other tasks you are
already juggling as an
administrator. Some
of our work is about
compliance. APPR
demands some of that.
But beyond meeting
deadlines and completing
paperwork, the kind of
leader you choose to be
matters. Using these tools
can enhance your work
and approach.
The days of status
quo inside our school
buildings while the world
outside evolves are over.
Enlightened lead learners
know that there is more
to running a school or
department than managing day-today
operations. Enlightened leaders
also know that change is required if
we are to transform our schools and
our collective (students, staff, parents)
capacity to learn. As you juggle the
challenges of new initiatives, learn
how to engage with like-minded
educators throughout the nation and
world to help you. In the end, it’s
not the platform or tool that matters.
What matters are the connections and
relationships that are built within and
beyond our school walls. Challenge
yourself to try out a new tool. Model
being a 21st century connected lead
learner. You won’t be disappointed.
LISA MEADE is a practicing middle
school principal in Corinth who also
served as a director of special education.
VICTORIA DAY is a principal at East
Side Elementary School, Gouverneur,
New York.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS IN YOUR AREA:
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