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One of my favorite quotes is by Dr. Robert Schuller. He once said, “Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.” We know that we are in for challenging times in the months and possibly years ahead. However, it is important to remember that the downturns we are experiencing are not permanent; And, reflecting on the quote I sent to you last week, how we react is often more important that the situations we face. So, I guess the point of today’s blog is to suggest that we need to keep focused; primarily upon the students we serve, remembering that they are experiencing similar feelings to ours with all of the uncertainty surrounding us. We may be the bright spot in their day. Keeping the focus on students, on learning, keeps the focus off of us and our issues. I think we have tough, resilient staff members in our district, capable of withstanding whatever comes our way.
Together, we can overcome obstacles and maintain a positive educational climate in our district. We may also need to be a bit more sensitive to and more respectful of each other as well. Stress is not fun. How we manage stress may be challenging. However, I know that by supporting each other, we provide each other with additional ways to both cope with and survive internal and external stressful situations. In the spirit of the season, I am suggesting that we need to take a deep breath, find ways to relax and reflect, and be thankful that we work in a profession that so profoundly impacts so many people and, in effect, the very future of our community, our state, and our nation. Thanks for reading and I’ll look forward to your responses…
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Opportunities to work Smarter, not just Harder
What we know is that there are uncertain times ahead for all of us in this country. However, as we think about how we are delivering services to our students, this may be a good time to think about different ways to organize, to use resources, and to provide a wider variety of learning opportunities for all students in USD 373. I am hosting a meeting this week to consider ways to offer a collaborative driver education program next summer in light of drastic reductions in our driver education reimbursement from the state of Kansas. Perhaps it is time for all of to reflect upon the possibilities of organizing our schools and classrooms in different ways to maximize our resources and to provide more learning options for our students. You’ve heard me say before that we don’ t control a lot of what happens in education, but that we do control what occurs between 8:00 and 3:00 every day. Could this be the time for us to examine more multi-age grouping options? Larger group instruction followed by smaller group interaction in a variety of courses at the high school? Opportunities for more individualization during the school day? More collaborative lessons? Staggered starting times? Friday apprenticeships for high school students on Fridays during their junior and senior years? A change in the strict adherence to time via block scheduling or seven period scheduling? As we approach 2009, perhaps it is time for us to have some creative, brainstorming discussions concerning how we might reorganize our schools to better meet the learning needs of all students! I would be very interested in your comments and thanks for reading.
Dr. John R. Morton, Superintendent
Newton Public Schools USD 373
Dr. John R. Morton, Superintendent
Newton Public Schools USD 373
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Education is an investment, not just an expenditure
We are living in challenging times. We are going to be challenged as well. It is my hope that we can collaboratively work together to take on some of the issues which will be confronting us. We will definitely be challenged by the current economic climate. We have done great things for students because of the resources we have been able to bring to bear to support teaching and learning. In talking with other educators both in our state and throughout the country, there is much concern regarding funding shortfalls. Undoubtedly, we will be impacted as well. I am hopeful that we can create and sustain a dialogue concerning how we can best move forward together regardless of our fiscal situation and how we can meet the learning needs of our increasingly diverse students. I am working with others in the state to mount a campaign to increase awareness in a number of settings that education is an investment, not just an expenditure. What we need to do is to present a united front concerning the importance of education and the importance of investing in the future of our community and our state. We hope to create a button which can be worn by all of us in our community, when we go to Topeka, and when we interact with any group. We need to think more creatively and positively about how we get our message out and how we can support each other. Let me hear your ideas and how we can make sure we maintain the quality of educational opportunities which we offer our students. I have to be an optimist in this area – I believe we can, together, chart a course which can keep us moving in the right direction. I will both appreciate and await your input.
Happy Thanksgiving! In the midst all of these challenges, we also need to stop and be thankful for the difference we are able to make in the lives of our students in USD 373. I’m also thankful for all that you do every day for our students and our district.
Happy Thanksgiving! In the midst all of these challenges, we also need to stop and be thankful for the difference we are able to make in the lives of our students in USD 373. I’m also thankful for all that you do every day for our students and our district.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Giving Thanks
American Education Week always signals a special time of year for me, coming as it does just prior to Thanksgiving. To me, it provides the opportunity for all of us to be thankful for the educational system we have in place in the United States and, more specifically, for those students, staff and parents who comprise the Newton Public Schools USD 373. While we have the added challenges and opportunities associated with No Child Left Behind, we still need to take the time to pause and reflect upon the tremendous influences education has had on all of us.
We all have educators who have played significant roles in our lives and who have helped mold us into the people we are today. Much of that effort occurred in such a subtle way that we probably did not realize the influence that these significant adults had on us at the time. But influence us they did; assisting us in developing the intellect, work habits and character we possess as adults in 2008.
A number of teachers come to mind as I think of those who inspired me to do my best in school. I was fortunate to have teachers who provided a significant influence for me at all levels in my educational career; Mrs. McCracken at Will Rogers Elementary; Mrs. Coy at Truesdell Junior High; and Mr. Alfaro at South High School. They were living the axiom that all students could succeed long before it became the national byline.
In addition, I had the great fortune of having a class under Dr. Harry Corbin at Wichita State University. All of these teachers encouraged me to do my best; they challenged my thinking and helped pave the way to my career as an educator.
Those adults, in addition to my parents and extended family, made tremendous contributions in my life just as I know that there are educators who have done the same for you. So, at this time of year when our thoughts turn to giving thanks, perhaps we ought to pause and reflect upon those educators and staff members who have given so much of themselves to us, to our children, and perhaps to our grandchildren as well.
Education is the only entity which touches every other profession and chosen vocation in our country. That degree of influence is awesome, indeed. It causes us to reflect again upon the power of an educated populace and the tremendous contributions that all of our citizens make as a result of their educational experiences and the ability that they have to apply those lessons learned to the pursuit of their livelihoods as well as their lives.
As we strive in USD 373 to make sure that no child is left behind, our challenge is to build on our excellent education tradition to continue to make the education of our students the highest priority in our country in the 21st century and to support those who are charged with this responsibility.
I would strongly encourage you during American Education Week to visit a school, write a note to an educator who influenced your life, eat lunch with first graders, make a donation to the USD 373 Endowment and volunteer to help a student with reading or math. Working together, we will continue to sustain the high level of support that education has enjoyed in the Newton community and to provide the foundation for continued progress as we continue to move into the twenty-first century.
We all have educators who have played significant roles in our lives and who have helped mold us into the people we are today. Much of that effort occurred in such a subtle way that we probably did not realize the influence that these significant adults had on us at the time. But influence us they did; assisting us in developing the intellect, work habits and character we possess as adults in 2008.
A number of teachers come to mind as I think of those who inspired me to do my best in school. I was fortunate to have teachers who provided a significant influence for me at all levels in my educational career; Mrs. McCracken at Will Rogers Elementary; Mrs. Coy at Truesdell Junior High; and Mr. Alfaro at South High School. They were living the axiom that all students could succeed long before it became the national byline.
In addition, I had the great fortune of having a class under Dr. Harry Corbin at Wichita State University. All of these teachers encouraged me to do my best; they challenged my thinking and helped pave the way to my career as an educator.
Those adults, in addition to my parents and extended family, made tremendous contributions in my life just as I know that there are educators who have done the same for you. So, at this time of year when our thoughts turn to giving thanks, perhaps we ought to pause and reflect upon those educators and staff members who have given so much of themselves to us, to our children, and perhaps to our grandchildren as well.
Education is the only entity which touches every other profession and chosen vocation in our country. That degree of influence is awesome, indeed. It causes us to reflect again upon the power of an educated populace and the tremendous contributions that all of our citizens make as a result of their educational experiences and the ability that they have to apply those lessons learned to the pursuit of their livelihoods as well as their lives.
As we strive in USD 373 to make sure that no child is left behind, our challenge is to build on our excellent education tradition to continue to make the education of our students the highest priority in our country in the 21st century and to support those who are charged with this responsibility.
I would strongly encourage you during American Education Week to visit a school, write a note to an educator who influenced your life, eat lunch with first graders, make a donation to the USD 373 Endowment and volunteer to help a student with reading or math. Working together, we will continue to sustain the high level of support that education has enjoyed in the Newton community and to provide the foundation for continued progress as we continue to move into the twenty-first century.
Monday, November 3, 2008
November 3, 2008
I thought about waiting to publish this new blog until after the election, but then thought it would be relevant, hopefully, no matter what the outcome. So, here goes….
We live in both interesting and challenging times in Kansas, the United States and in the world at large. Education has never been more important in my opinion, yet it has hardly been mentioned in an election which has focused on the war, the economy and health care. The simple fact is that an educated citizenry can be instrumental in solving all of the above mentioned challenges.
With that in mind, we must be zealous in our efforts to educate our new and returning leaders about the critical importance of education in our twenty-first century world. The world is shrinking; our once enviable competitive advantage is no more; we are competing on an equal footing with many other countries in the world for both goods and services.
Education must be the cornerstone of our new economy as we recover from our recent setbacks. We must provide our students with a wider array of educational opportunities and connections with the world in which they will live and work. They must be technologically savvy. They must possess a strong work ethic. They must be problem solvers, critical thinkers and team players. None of these traits are currently assessed through No Child Left Behind. We must come to grips with the fact that focusing on making adequate yearly progress each year does little to instill our students with the critical skills and abilities which they need to be successful.
And, somehow, we must do a better job of connecting our students to real life. Perhaps it means the return of mandatory internships or apprenticeships for every student; maybe the institution of a four day academic week followed by field based work experiences by which students can explore the ever changing world of work.
Whatever the format, we must do a better job of connecting academic and potential careers for our students. We probably need to rethink the relevancy of the senior year of high school. We need to begin acquainting our students in elementary schools and middle schools about the incredible number of career options which will be available to them in the future…..some of which we cannot begin to imagine at this point.
Please join me in this blog to express your thinking about the future of education in Newton, in Kansas, the United States and the world. Together, we can further the dialogue and create a new educational infrastructure which will serve all of our 21st century learners.
John Morton
We live in both interesting and challenging times in Kansas, the United States and in the world at large. Education has never been more important in my opinion, yet it has hardly been mentioned in an election which has focused on the war, the economy and health care. The simple fact is that an educated citizenry can be instrumental in solving all of the above mentioned challenges.
With that in mind, we must be zealous in our efforts to educate our new and returning leaders about the critical importance of education in our twenty-first century world. The world is shrinking; our once enviable competitive advantage is no more; we are competing on an equal footing with many other countries in the world for both goods and services.
Education must be the cornerstone of our new economy as we recover from our recent setbacks. We must provide our students with a wider array of educational opportunities and connections with the world in which they will live and work. They must be technologically savvy. They must possess a strong work ethic. They must be problem solvers, critical thinkers and team players. None of these traits are currently assessed through No Child Left Behind. We must come to grips with the fact that focusing on making adequate yearly progress each year does little to instill our students with the critical skills and abilities which they need to be successful.
And, somehow, we must do a better job of connecting our students to real life. Perhaps it means the return of mandatory internships or apprenticeships for every student; maybe the institution of a four day academic week followed by field based work experiences by which students can explore the ever changing world of work.
Whatever the format, we must do a better job of connecting academic and potential careers for our students. We probably need to rethink the relevancy of the senior year of high school. We need to begin acquainting our students in elementary schools and middle schools about the incredible number of career options which will be available to them in the future…..some of which we cannot begin to imagine at this point.
Please join me in this blog to express your thinking about the future of education in Newton, in Kansas, the United States and the world. Together, we can further the dialogue and create a new educational infrastructure which will serve all of our 21st century learners.
John Morton
Thursday, October 16, 2008
October 2008
Welcome to my first blogging effort. I hope you will take time to both read and respond to my comments. I plan to keep this blog updated fairly often so please keep checking back periodically. In this first message, I want to discuss where we currently are in the district regarding teaching, learning, student achievement and leadership.
First, let me say that it is probably more challenging to be in education today than it ever has been. We are faced with much greater accountability, more students coming to us without the requisite social skills they need to be successful, higher rates of mobility, and, in increasing instances, less family support than we have seen in the past.
These challenges make our work all the more important! We have an opportunity to impact our students while they are with us during the school day in significant ways. And, we have to focus on what we can do and control, not what we can’t. Given all of the complexities we face, our district has accomplished a great deal in working with our students and helping them to succeed. We have an array of learning options for students which assist us in better meeting their needs.
But, is it enough? Are we optimally organized to provide the best learning opportunities for all of our students? Some would say no. Some would say we are continuing to prepare our students for the world of the past, not today’s world or the world of the future. We know many things about education; we know that all students do not enter our classrooms at the same place in their learning journeys. However, it would appear that our organizational structures presuppose that they are. You’ve heard me say in the past that we don’t control a lot of what happens to us in education. We do, however, control how we use the time every day to organize for successful teaching and learning. We need to consider other approaches and options relative to the organization of our school day and we need to find ways to use our learning support and curriculum resources in ways that help us not only feel better about what we are doing, but help us encourage student achievement at high levels.
One of the realities about our work as educators is that our profession is a journey and not a destination. Our work is never done; we are always looking for ways to continue to make us better. I’d invite your comments and discussion when I come to your building concerning ways we might better position ourselves as a 21st century school district, committed to preparing our students for the future. Thanks for participating in this blog effort.
John Morton
First, let me say that it is probably more challenging to be in education today than it ever has been. We are faced with much greater accountability, more students coming to us without the requisite social skills they need to be successful, higher rates of mobility, and, in increasing instances, less family support than we have seen in the past.
These challenges make our work all the more important! We have an opportunity to impact our students while they are with us during the school day in significant ways. And, we have to focus on what we can do and control, not what we can’t. Given all of the complexities we face, our district has accomplished a great deal in working with our students and helping them to succeed. We have an array of learning options for students which assist us in better meeting their needs.
But, is it enough? Are we optimally organized to provide the best learning opportunities for all of our students? Some would say no. Some would say we are continuing to prepare our students for the world of the past, not today’s world or the world of the future. We know many things about education; we know that all students do not enter our classrooms at the same place in their learning journeys. However, it would appear that our organizational structures presuppose that they are. You’ve heard me say in the past that we don’t control a lot of what happens to us in education. We do, however, control how we use the time every day to organize for successful teaching and learning. We need to consider other approaches and options relative to the organization of our school day and we need to find ways to use our learning support and curriculum resources in ways that help us not only feel better about what we are doing, but help us encourage student achievement at high levels.
One of the realities about our work as educators is that our profession is a journey and not a destination. Our work is never done; we are always looking for ways to continue to make us better. I’d invite your comments and discussion when I come to your building concerning ways we might better position ourselves as a 21st century school district, committed to preparing our students for the future. Thanks for participating in this blog effort.
John Morton
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