January/February 2023
Superintendent's Focus
Footwork
by Pegi Flynt
A friend of mine—a professor at Harvard for women's studies—is an activist and advocate for marginalized women worldwide (name withheld). When her team goes into an area of great need they seek the most marginalized 10-year-old girl to care for her personally and provide strategies and tools for that child. In doing that one thing, serving that one child, they find solutions for others like her. Recently my friend shared this statement: "I believe that on our path, all we are asked to do is the next good, right, and honest thing. It can all feel so big, complicated, overwrought. And yes, I have sweeping visions - Justice. Equality. Peace. Stability. Wellness. But how do I get there? By doing the next good, right, honest thing. And then the next. I’m in the footwork department, not the outcome department. Just do the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing." As you work with the children and families in your community in the coming weeks, keep your focus on the footwork department, not just the outcome department. Begin, from a point of what is right for kids and families and communities, and build from there. What is right for building up "people"? And how do you leverage your classroom instruction to improve relationships and encourage innovation? Partner with the Lord of the Universe who has ordained our steps. You are called to this critically important work of ministry as an educator.
We, at the conference office, pray for you regularly.
High Reliability Schools
Dr. Flynt’s EdTech Tips and Treasures
AR - Augmented Reality
“AR”e you using QR codes in your classroom. QR codes provide an easy way to access information online. In the classroom, teachers usually link codes to websites or a note with instructions for a discovery assignment. You can’t link them to a picture but you can link to a video hosted on a site such as YouTube, but what if you want to have something go directly to a video? The answer? AR - Augmented Reality!
There are a number of apps that use AR technology like Quiver, and Plants 3D. However, the app that I enjoy the most is HaloAR where you can make your own "triggers" come to life pop up videos and overlays on images.
There are so many ways that AR can be used in the classroom, for instance a bulletin board in the hallway that parents can interact with while they were waiting for their turn at parent -teacher conferences. AR would be the perfect mix to showcase their children's work while introducing a newer technology to them and the rest of the school. Or, consider having your students create Augmented experiences to showcase their work and their school “museum” style.
When you create a lesson or an experience with AR or QR codes, SHARE your plan with the rest of us. I look forward to seeing your creativity.
What’s new with MAP Growth – Winter 2022/3:
In the ongoing effort to provide school leaders with a richer and more focused experience with their school’s MAP® Growth™ assessment data, the School Profile Report is being enhanced with an improved Achievement tab (formally called the “Achievement view”) and a new Achievement Comparisons tab. These enhancements will be available to partners after the February 2023 MAP Growth software release. Learn more about the upcoming improvements to the School Profile Report.
Q&U Get Married at Taylor Mill Christian
