Mary
Burns Michael Elementary's Campus Web site Re-Development
and Maintenance- Beginning September 2007 -
Due to some changes with the district server, stricter naming
conventions
called
for massive changes
to
the existing web site. Since the sight was somewhat outdated, developing
a new site seemed to make better sense. Using a similar structure,
the new site was created to be more user friendly. Since the re-development
the site continues to be expanded and improved, spending an estimated
2-4 hours weekly.
Family
Science and Technology Night - Chairperson - "A Night Under
the STARS -January
24th, 2008" - This spectacular campus
event was planned, organized and developed to encourage and increase
parental involvement. With presenters targeting all grade levels,
and including activities for parents and students alike, there
was a tremendous amount of preparation and collaboration that went
into its development. With one of the best turnouts in campus history
it was a tremendous success, and a springboard for future improvement
of community involvement! Products: Pamphlet, Reminder
Flyer, Handout, Floorplan.
Active
Directory Migration - Summer of 2007 - Active
Directory replaced the current inter-campus network. With MANY
new changes to current procedures, there was a tremendous amount
of exploration, new-learning, and testing to make the initiative
successful. With Michael one of the first campuses migrated,
it became a testing ground and precedent setter for the campuses
to come later. During the early stages there were many "in-demand" training
sessions.
Projector
Deployment - Beginning October 2007
to current: Michael Elementary will be the first pre-existing
campus to have ceiling amounted projectors installed in every classroom.
While the project has been delayed, a tremendous amount of planning,
discussion, research and preparation will allow this project to
be picked up and completed as soon as the district is ready. One
of the most exciting components of this project will be having
our SMARTBoards permanently installed on the wall for more effective
usage. Installation in the B-102, B103 and C107 required funding,
as well as a technology
proposal, which was quickly approved.
Wireless
Network Installation: As part of NISD's move to create
the largest wireless network in Texas, Michael Elementary now has the
ability of access all of its network server data wirelessly from anywhere
within 100 feet of the campus. This has provided teachers the ability
to use the laptop carts where ever their lessons call for them.
Lunch
Count: Another exciting addition
to our technology tools is the new lunch count system for classroom
teachers. It is a very user friendly interface that provides the
cafeteria workers with quick and easily organized data so they
can have their delicious lunch choices hot and fresh!
SECTION ONE: Major strengths in
Organizational Management / Instructional Climate: One
of my biggest strengths is the excitement and enthusiasm I have
for the many
technology initiatives within our school district. Being one of
the strongest technologically advanced school districts in our
area, we are regularly taking on new projects and initiatives.
It
is
fundamental
to their success to have representatives that will advocate for
these programs at every level. With the numerous district initiatives,
it is important to keep staff up to date on progress, problems
and new found solutions. In an effort to keep everyone abreast,
emails, meetings and agenda's are sent out on an as needed basis.
SECTION 2 - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Presented
E-Grade '07 Update - 8/20/08 -
With the beginning of every year, updates, changes and improvements are
made to district technology initiatives. The beginning of the 2007-2008
school year was no different. In addition to new features an improved "user
friendly appearance" were the biggest highlights!
Outreach Updates - 8/21,
9/5, 9/6 -
As with any web site, frequent updates are needed. Often time becomes a
obstacle
for
teachers.
Because of this,
frequent "refresher" sessions are needed. We began the school
year with updated web pages, and a fresh memory of how useful classroom
web pages
can be!!
CMS Update - 9/20, 9/21,10/16, 10/23, 11/16,11/13-The
districts Curriculum Management system has become a dynamic technological
tool. With
enhancements
and improvements
the district has placed a greater emphasis on the resource. In addition
to the annual updates, the NISD piloted a new training interface called
"E-Learn".
Using this virtual learning environment required staff to complete reports,
evaluate data, and take online quizzes. For this reason, several CMS update
sessions had to be provided to meet the wide variety of staff members
abilities.
Tech Meetings - Meeting
with grade levels teams is an important part of supporting classroom objectives,
disseminating information,
and planning technology projects. Here are the agendas that we have covered
so far: 9/21,
10/19, 11/16, 12/20, 1/18,
2/15, 4/18
Star Chart - 11/25
- 3/31 -
This annual campus and staff evaluation went delightfully! We used conference
times,
after school planning times, and staff meeting agendas to become the second
campus in the district to have 100 percent completion (second only because
one teacher was on maternity leave)!!!
Attended
Acceptable Use Policy 2007-2008 - 8/1/07
E-Grade Electronic Gradebook for CIT's
- 8/13/07
NISD CMS Basic Certification - 8/14/07
CIT Start-Up Days - 8/15/07 &8/16/07
ERO for CIT's - 9/4/07
Campus Calendar Training - 9/13/07
Differentiated Instruction; What is your Target?
- 9/14/07
Campus Webmaster Training - 9/17/07 & 9/18/07
CMS Update Training Fall 2007 - 9/19/07
Tuning in to TIPPA- 9/19/07
Collaborating to Advance Achievement in the Digital
Age - 9/25/07
New Family NIght Chairpersons Organizational Meeting -
10/04/07
Elementary CIT Professional Development - 10/10/07
Communication and Teaching - 10/12/07
Active Directory for CIT's - 10/17/07
Elementary CIT PRofessional Development - 11/07/07
Elementary CIT Professional Development- 12/12/07
Technology and Differentiated Instruction: New Tools
for a Timeless Purpose -1/8/08
CIT Professional Development for Cluster Groups
- 1/31/08
STARS and Young Astronaut Training - Solar Cars
- 1/31/08
TCEA Conference in Austin -
Attended Dr. Sally Ride's Keynote Speech, Student Broadcasts: A Cross-Curricular
Approach, The Wonderful World of Wikis: Collaboration Made Easy, Going
Paperless: Fill-in Forms , and Several "Sales Floor Mini Presentations.
2/6
New CIT Professional Development - 2/21/08
Northside Education Foundation (NEF) Writing Workshop
Classroom Innovation and Mini-Grant - 2/26/08
TELPAS Administration for CIT's - 3/11
Gifted and Talented Consortium Lecture Series with
Dr. Jaime Castellano - 3/27
Introduction to ActivStudio - 3/28/08
Elementary Professional Development - 4/10/08
SECTION TWO: Major strengths in professional
development:
An important component in every organization is keeping current on new
initiatives. This is one of the most exciting parts of being a CIT. To
my credit I have countless hours of opportunities to not only strengthen
my own skills and knowledge, but even more enjoyable, is sharing this
knowledge
and skill set to my peers and colleagues.
SECTION 3 - INTEGRATION
STAR Studio: One of my most
enjoyable work with students this school year has been that of my "STAR Crews".
These crews are groups for eight fifth grade students who would run
the morning announcements. However, we did much more that just the
morning announcements. Here are a few examples, our Recycling Commercial,
and our PTA Commercial and a student
created ROTC Commercial.
Mr. M.'s Tech Group: This group
was a collection of third graders, that were "high level" readers.
In an effort to support their classroom teachers efforts during Guided
Reading,
these students would come to me daily for one half hour and work on
projects tied to Reading TEKS. Here is a sample of one of their projects
to cut down on the spread of germs on campus: Handwashing
Second Grade Enrichment Project -
This project was initiated by a second grade teacher to enrich two
of her
GT students to support a unit they were working on. The unit titled "Woodlands
Forest" was a great opportunity to discuss deforestation issues
and the importance of conservation. One student created a mini-movie
on the importance of protecting LBJ State
Park, and one created an mini-movie overview of Woodland
Forests.
Pre-K Tech Lessons - One of the most
challenging integration I have done this year has been working with
the Pre-K morning and Afternoon
classes. When we began we were learning how to "click", now
the students are creating projects like this one!
Grade Level Projects: The
most common form of integration support and alignment come during the
collaboration with grade level and special education TIP and TIPPA
projects. These projects can range in size and duration. Generally
speaking a TIP project is a product to demonstrate student understanding.
TIPPA projects are based on student research and often are the final
component of curricular unit. I have had the great opportunity to work
on many of these projects with numerous staff members.
SECTION THREE: Major strengths
in integration: My major strength in integration is my ability
to align curricular goals, student interests, and technological applications.
With Differentiated Instruction becoming more and more and integral
part of meeting all student needs, this type of platform is essential
in meeting all learners needs. In addition, my flexibility and willingness
to work with staff members greatly support these type initiatives!
SECTION 4: OVERALL SUMMARY
Campus Involvement:
In an effort to support the campus I attended and had a variety
of roles at the following campus events: Open House; Primary and
Upper, Meet the Teacher, PTA Meetings (all but 1).
Other miscellaneous campus roles include but are not limited to: STAR
Reading- Played role as Academic Support for third grade
groups created by grade level teachers, CMC Academic support-
1st 2 Nine Weeks, supported IEP goals with several students on
a daily basis, Cafeteria Monitoring Duty- for
approximately 45 minutes daily, I monitored student behavior during
lunch, Math Enrichment for 3rd Grade Students -
in and effort to support classroom objectives I took a group of
high performing students for one half hour daily to enrich them
using Riverdeep, Mr. M.'s Tech Group;
a third grade technology group taken during third grade Guided
Reading Blocks to support classroom goals, After School
Tutor - 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th sessions, Solar
Car Club Sponsor - During the spring months I sponsored
a weekly group that met to create solar powered hobby vehicle to
compete against other campus at district level competition.
One of my roles on campus was to document and record events as
a photographer and videographer. Some of these events include: Veteran's
Day Ceremony - Technology Coordinator, Author's
Day - Technology Coordinator Videographer and Photographer, PTA
Meetings and Grade Level Presentations- Videographer for
all of the grade level ceremony, as well as "Kinderfest"
Some of our events were shared with the community in "Inside Northside
Weekly":
10/10,
12/19,
1/23,
3/12
Reading and Math
Family Night Presenter -
As part of our "Family
Math and Literacy Night" I presented "Family Fun Web sites" to
enrich students use of the internet to improve curricular goals!
Check out the bookmark!
Spelling Bee Judge - An exciting and
motivating event for all of the contestants. The grade level representatives
worked hard to be ready for the final round!
TAKS Pep Rally Video - TAKS time is
one of the most stressful and challenging times of the year for students
and staff alike. This video was created to give everyone a final
push to get through the challenge!
Mentorship -
One of the most enjoyable components of working with children is
setting a good example for
them. This year I had several mentees, but two that
really touched me are A. Hernandez from Mrs. Karam's Kinder class and J. Mora
from Mrs. Morrissette's second grade class.
Solar Cars Sponsor -
The Michael Solar Car Club has been another very rewarding endeavor.
The team of five students
has begun work on the creation of a hobby car that will be powered
completely by Solar Energy!
MISCELLANEOUS Projects
Using CMS - Running Reports - One
of the most challenging parts of being a teacher on a overflow campus
is keeping track of all
of the student information for children who move in and out of the
campus boundaries. NISD has taken a tremendous step to help teachers
eliminate that problem. However, using CMS can be tricky. At the onset
of the year I created this quick class to assist all of the teachers
in using CMS to create custom reports based on classroom and campus
populations.
CDB Report Binder - With testing
ongoing throughout the year, it is imperative to use the data for improvement
and growth.
Each CDB Item Analysis and Standards MAstery report was run on CMS,
reorganized in binders, and shared for all of the teachers on the shred
campus "I" Drive.
Title I Parental
Involvement Flyer -
As a Title I campus, it is important to share information about our
campus with parents and families. One
PTA Meeting Reminder
Flyer- This easily changeable
and update-able flyer was created to share with classrooms and used
a reminder for students and families.
