According to the HWDSB Strategic Plan, HWDSB will maintain and strengthen collaborative relationships with employee groups. Develop and implement an Employee Relations Plan, a Professional Learning Plan and a Leadership Development Plan, designed to create a culture of collective efficacy, trust and high expectations
(academic optimism) through networking and job-embedded learning.
HWDSB will maintain and strengthen collaborative relationships with community partners. Develop and implement a Community Engagement Plan to improve student achievement and well-being
We all collaborate on the courses that we teach and this is an essential part of doing business. But it is important to me to confer with other teachers as often as possible on everything and anything. Teaching can be an isolating experience – usually in large, institution-like buildings, especially in the secondary panel. My teaching practice is improved through talking to other teachers. I have had the privilege of talking to teachers from other schools who teach Media Arts. Sharing strategies and ideas refreshes enthusiasm and refines ideas.

Last month I was invited to join the 21st Century Fluencies committee – a committee struck to talk about technology and how to engage students and teachers with its potential. This has been the best of the best meetings that I could ever attend – and there isn’t even any food, not even coffee! It really does matter if your opinion counts and that you are doing something meaningful – see engagement does matter! Of course we are talking about technology, a subject near and dear to my heart, as I live and breath it daily. Being part of this committee is almost like taking a big drink of water – I can then go back to my students re-energized and empowered – isn’t this what we try and accomplish with our students – engage, empower?

Being able to connect with other teaching professionals online is also an amazing way to learn new strategies, find out about new technologies and what works and doesn’t work. It is like opening a window and letting the light pour in! Places like ISTE, Classroom 2.0 and Edutopia are full of resources, advice, standards of excellence and conversations amongst educators from around the world. All one needs to do is set a small amount of time each week to delve into the discussion and see what is out there. For those that are courageous, Twitter is also a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of what is new in education. I have recently found this way to keep in touch with educators is easy and quick. You only have to read 140 characters at a time!

The nice thing about connecting with platforms like RSS readers or iGoogle and twitter, it comes to you and you don’t have to spend time surfing and looking. It’s like having your own customized newspaper delivered right to your computer!