Sunday 11 October 2015

Being Connected - why it's important for Principals


                                         
         https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Okains_Bay_02.jpg
          By Schwede66 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0                            

I've had a few jibes that because I am a sole-charge principal (and have been for the last four months), I'm not required to do staff meetings. I reply with, "How insulting! My staff meetings involve me chatting to the mirror in my office." People tend to think that because I'm generally on my own at my school, my slice of paradise, that there's no one to talk to or to run ideas past. They're partially right, but mostly wrong.

In fact, the honest truth about being a sole-charge principal in a rural, isolated school is that my networking becomes more intentional. 

I've never been more grateful for a Twitter feed, the VLN, Facebook and the likes. I've never been more grateful for developing strong relationships with my board, the local cluster schools and ECEs. I've never been more grateful to have Skype or a landline to ring someone at the drop of the hat. I've never been more grateful than to have former colleagues that continue to lend a hand and collaborate. 

I'm truly excited about being at small school. The opportunities for my students to engage in a variety of learning methods using tech are fairly endless. My future goal is to establish a nationwide, rural schools network (schools of less than 20ish students...) so that these students can engage in online collaboration. (If there is a network like this out there already, please let me know!) I know that being a connected teacher means I need to work equally as hard to ensure my students are connected too.

Enjoy the Connected Educator month. I value the chance to give back after months of leaching other ideas!

Tim de Vries
Okains Bay School
@tim_de_vries





Images sourced from 
 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Okains_Bay_02.jpg 
          By Schwede66 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0                              

13 comments:

  1. Can't have been a more exciting time to be sole-charge for these very reasons! And wow; you work in paradise too! Thanks for the blog, it was a really good read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jacqueline. It certainly is a great place to work, especially on mornings like today!
      You're right - I don't think there is a more exciting time to be sole-charge... the ability to connect is far more accessible to schools like mine.

      Delete
  2. Great post Tim - you have an awesome opportunity there. The kids are very lucky to have such an innovative, digitally connected principal. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Tim, yes you are so right. Thanks for such a great post. I sometimes wonder if being semi-isolated geographically actually encourages people to collaborate and connect more than if they were in a place that isn't semi-isolated.

    Keep connecting.
    Rob

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Rob. I think you're right. Being competent with digital tech is advantageous in situations like this.

      Delete
  4. Great blog Timbo!
    Connectedness comes in many forms, and in our discussions, you certainly show that you are connected and are always keen to make meaningful connections for the betterment of your own professional learning and that of the learners in your care. You have a beautiful school and a great community that you and your family have connected well with already. Keep up the awesome job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It helps to connect when a certain principal has a holiday home in the bay too! Thanks for your kind words.

      Delete
  5. Great post! It's fantastic to be able to use technology so well. Collaboration and connecting with others is so important. Glad you have people to work with.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a stunning spot, Tim. Fantastic to hear that you have a great network both online and face to face. What lucky kids to spend their childhoods in that little piece of paradise learning alongside you.
    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Bridget, it is a stunning spot. My twins year olds have a chance to enjoy this school in around 18 months too! (They already do... they're always visiting...)

      Delete
  7. Thanks for your positive and upbeat post Tim. You have taken on a wonderful challenge and are clearly thriving. It is awesome to hear that you have plans for the future - in terms of creating a network for rural schools nationwide. Good on you! Keep up the fantastic work and enjoy your little piece of paradise. It sounds Bliss.

    ReplyDelete