Master Plan Committee
In this 50th year of TCIS, I was asked to be part of the Master Plan Committee to help draw up plans for our new campus. Progress report: the floor plans are being finalized and we are expected to break ground in May of this year.I must say it has been an interesting venture to be on the client side of the negotiations table when I have formerly been an employee on the architectural side. I came with an understanding of how architects work and now I can empathize with the process of 'prioritizing needs' on the client side. Unfortunately we don't have a blank check to build this new campus so we have to prioritize what gets attention in the first building phase vs later phases -- not so easy when working with three schools and so many departments across our campus, each having their own list of what they would like to see in the new facility!
We anticipate to move into the new campus August or December of 2010. A lot of work has to be done before then but, Lord willing, it will get done and we move ahead in confidence!
WASC Accreditation
In the fall of 2007 I was asked whether I would head up a focus group of about 30 staff members to research and write a section for a WASC report on TCIS as an Organization for Student Learning. WASC is the abbreviated term for Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is an accreditation organization for American schools at home and abroad.
It was an opportunity for me to be on an admin leadership team and to head a group of staff members in the process of self-analysis, focusing on strengths and areas of needed improvement for our school. Needless to say, I learned a lot in the process: not only about the WASC process and learning about our school but how to (and not to) motivate staff in this 18 month process. Whether it was through leading staff discussions, presentations, reviewing subgroup reports, working on action plans or enforcing timelines, it was an experience to remember.This past week was the last stage of the accreditation process where we had the WASC visiting committee join us on campus for a week of reviewing our school against our report. It was the duty of the visiting committee to challenge/clarify the work we've done through the year and let us know if they agreed with our listed strengths and growth areas documented in the report.
Judging by the response of the visiting team, I believe the school did a great job of self-analysis because they did not dispute the majority of already-listed strengths and areas of growth. Looks like we're headed for another six years of accreditation!
Women's Choir
Every semester this past two years I had the privilege of moving off one keyboard to another: off the computer keyboard onto the piano keyboard! Needless to say, it has been a welcome change of pace for me when I can abandon the daily duties of computing and enjoy the artistic side of life.The Women's Choir classes have had anywhere from 10-20 girls from grades 9-12 singing a wide variety of songs from Motown to local traditional. Admittedly, there are times it is difficult to pull myself away from my job as Tech Coordinator but I have never regretted the opportunity to be more involved with the students and keep my performance skills tuned (pardon the pun) participating in concerts held at the end of every semester.
Student Tech Squad
One of the absolute highlights of my job is leading a group of students who have a slightly higher love for computers than the average. I meet with these students every other week to look at project requests from teachers and students and discuss some of the latest trends in the world of technology. These kids really are great because they come with a wealth of knowledge in various areas of computing and have a genuine willingness to help others.Even though this is my first year leading the Squad, I am confident it will grow from our current eight (8) members in the years to come and continue to be a valuable support for all those who use technology at our school. In fact, a TCIS student spotted me on a city bus today and mentioned he would like to join the STS next year. I am definitely looking forward to it!
I have to say I am proud of my team who so often demonstrate their creative, resourceful and generous nature. I asked the team to create a short (2 minute) video to show at our HS assembly last week, introducing the STS and explaining the purpose of our club to the rest of the student body. The following is the video they produced... a great parody on the medical sitcom House:
