As you may have read in Mr. Esterby's email early this week, our LearnPad redistribution has begun. This time, however, there are more hands in the process. That sounds like a good thing, and ultimately it should be.
Tierney Brothers representatives have collected and logged the devices that they picked up. They also gave us the number of devices that were given back to classrooms. They did their best to get devices back in the same classrooms, but that didn't occur with 100% accuracy. On Monday, I was asked to help sort things out. Over the past few days I ensured that all classrooms had five LearnPads. If I gave them to your classroom, you can trust that they are enrolled to you and are populated with your grade level material. In very few instances does receiving the exact device back in your classroom truly matter. These are very fluid devices. During this process I discovered a large number of cracked screens (unrepairable according to LearnPad due to safety concerns) and an equal number of devices that require service. All in all, over thirty devices that are no longer fit for classroom use are slowly being dealt with on my end. This impacts our LearnPad stock moving forward. Upon the delivery of the balance of our LearnPads, I will work with Tierney Brothers to ensure that all classes have ten, fully-functional LearnPads. With the number of devices presently out of commission, we will likely need to use our Media Center reserve stock to balance the class sets. It is my sincere hope that all the device repairs will result in LearnPads that more reliably function for our students. If you have any issues with LearnPads, please let me know and CC Mr. Esterby, too.
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I have been asked every so often if what I am presently doing is in my job description. The truth is, I don't know. I have never been one to follow my job description to the letter - nor did I as a classroom teacher. I do not, however, do anything less than exceed descriptions - much like the classroom teachers I know.
Contracted time is important. I am a proud member of my teacher's union and I am thankful to have that support - happily paying my dues every month. Do I work my contracted hours? No. On average the district is getting a least thirty minutes extra of my at school time, unpaid, every single day I work. That, of course, does not count the time I spend at home planning, creating, and preparing new content and developing ideas to share with my colleagues. I know - I know... I am preaching to the choir here, but here's the thing. I put a great deal of trust in the professionalism of those around me. I have faith that they will do anything and everything to create, maintain, and continue to enhance the lives and education of their students, community, and themselves. If I am asked to do something that I believe will make a child proud, a family smile, and a shine a positive and bright light on a teacher or school, I will do that in a heartbeat. Yes, I am honoring my time, my contract, and my job description. I am proud knowing that I am one of hundreds of teachers that trust the professionalism of one another. We will continue to defy our job descriptions by doing more than is asked. So, keep tying those shoelaces, cleaning those messes, and distributing those birthday treats. Please keep taking your work home, coming in early, and staying late to prepare for greatness. Continue to do all the big and little things that make you an extraordinary educator outside of your job description and contracted time and I will, too. Chances are, it is these things that make the most important impact on our students' lives. I'll have to check and see if blogging is a part of my own job description... or not. ;-) |
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February 2016
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