District Administration - June 2012 - (Page 55)

Principal Rob Monson, of Parkston Elementary School, speaks with the head custodian about trees that the school received thanks to the student council and service groups in town. Students dug holes and planted 10 trees around the playground. of response-to-intervention (which the school is paying for out of “poverty funds,” says Konopasek), and upcoming negotiations on a teachers contract resulting in a new compensation system (with details yet to come) and a longer school day. On top of all that, she said she has been without a licensed building engineer for six months. All of that combined has resulted in many 11-hour days plus Saturdays and some Sundays in the office. “I’m doing it just to keep up,” Konopasek says. She supports many of the changes taking place, but admits, “You can get to the point where there are too many changes. … You can’t suffer a hurricane every day. You get soaking wet to the bone.” To keep the time crunch manageable, Brian Matney, principal at Landstown High School and Technology Academy in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools, recommends “not falling prey to the tyranny of the urgent.” As much as he tries to stay focused on instruction, he believes time is his greatest challenge. “It’s a matter of, I have to walk into the building, I have to keep my eye on the main thing,” he says. “The biggest challenge we have is not letting the time we commit to [instruction] be taken up by other things that, while important, are not as important.” Matney sees his role as making sure he’s aware of what’s happening in the classrooms and what methodologies teachers are using. “I want to know where the best teaching is occurring and to showcase those prototypes to their peers,” he says. Matney sees himself and his peers as being most comfortable in a foundational role. “Principals are architects, not plumbers,” Matney concludes. “There are going to be some plumbing duties, and I’m happy to do them. … But we thrive on being the architect.” DA Ed Finkel is a contributing writer to District Administration. Solution Showcase A look at innovative products from leading vendors In Solution Showcase, District Administration spotlights innovative solutions from leading K12 vendors with 20-minute product videos. Featured this month: ST Math: Neuroscience-based math instruction, and a cute penguin to make it lovable. ST Math, from MIND Research Institute, is backed by neuroscience research and has been proven effective in large-scale studies. Plus, it is largely language independent, so it works with all students, including English learners. Introducing the LightRaise 40wi interactive projector from SMART—interactivity on almost any surface. Backed by over 20 years of innovation in educational technology, the LightRaise allows you to create more dynamic learning spaces. As the only interactive projector that includes SMART Notebook collaborative learning software, the LightRaise brings learning to life with engaging content. To watch, go to www.districtadministration.com/showcase www.DistrictAdministration.com June 2012 55 http://www.districtadministration.com/showcase http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - June 2012

District Administration - June 2012
Contents
From the Editor
News update
Arts update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Geography Ed for a Flat World
Her Own Brand of Education Reform
Finding a Cure for Senioritis
Principals as Instructional Leaders
CIO news
One Tablet Per Child?
Changing Lives With Assistive Technology
Going Mobile
Student Counsel
New Directions
Product Focus
New Products
Online Edge

District Administration - June 2012