Teach Like A Cavalier! Our Perspective Past- September

9/5/2017

September's work has three parts--all participants:

1. Post and respond to September's blog
2. Click the button on the right and read the article, The Early College Challenge, pages 14-20, in preparation for the staff development session.
3. Participate in staff development session (based on the above mentioned article)- time and place details to follow shortly.

Top Five Reasons To Know Our History

History tells us who we are

Cross Creek’s history is a story of past happenings, events and transformations. Knowing about the origins of early college and Cross Creek help us understand why we do the things we do.

History helps us understand our school culture/identity

All school cultures have their roots in the cultures of the past. (Did you know that we are cavaliers because our first principal’s high school’s mascot was a cavalier?) We can help new members of the Cross Creek family create a sense of affiliation by making sure we ourselves understand and promote the good things that make us unique and special.

History helps us understand change

Each person’s view of Cross Creek is shaped by his/her individual experiences and the experience of the school as a whole. If a teacher isn’t aware of what happened during the early days at the early college, or the influence of various partnerships, and/or “support” (or lack of), he cannot fully understand the need for change that often occurs at Cross Creek.

History makes us better teachers

Knowing our history allows us to speak with a balanced understanding of both the past and present to the community, to parents, to students, and to other educators. Because we ourselves make history every day, the study of it helps us in knowing what trailblazers did and whether or not decisions made were right.

History provides a guiding path to the present and future

History enables us to understand how Cross Creek worked then, how it works now, and how we can shape the future. It provides us with the framework of knowledge that we need in order to build a better school each and every day.
  Adapted from Arun Thakur “Top Ten Reasons to Study History Topyaps.com

Instructions (ALL): Read the "Top Five Reasons To Know Our History" and using the comment button below decide which of the five reasons is most important to you and provide at least two reasons for your decision. If you would like to add a reason not listed, please do so, but don't forget to provide at least two facts that back your answer.

You are expected to post to the comment board by September 15 and respond to one other post by September 20. I will be at Cross Creek Sept 21-Sept 29. Your posts should include specific examples and evidences, references to the original information, and a thought-provoking question or two to your colleagues. It goes without saying that comments should always be professional and courteous, even if you challenge what is being said. This is not the place to air grievances.

49 Comments

Kenny Huffman

9/13/2017 07:05:51 am

History helps us understand our school culture/identity

1. It probably doesn't take very long after arrival to determine that the program unique to the public school experience. I imagine that that conclusion leads to more questions for the newcomer.

2. As your experience here grows, you begin to recognize some of the community's perspective/expectations of the program. It is helpful to have some historical knowledge to provide context.

Alison Thetford link

9/17/2017 02:28:33 pm

Thanks Mr. H,

I wonder what questions did you have when you came to Cross Creek? You had a lot of experience at a traditional school, just like me. My question is what was the greatest difference between Cross Creek and PFHS?

Kelley Hasapis

9/18/2017 06:37:01 am

I find your comments interesting since you were one of the teachers that has been here since the inception of the school. I always like to hear your thoughts because you can easily point out the changes CC has expeienced and whether or not they are positive or negative.

9/18/2017 09:59:04 am

I couldn't agree more Ms. Hasapis-

Rod Hosking

9/18/2017 08:31:08 am

Yes, a very interesting point about the expectations of community and program and their relationship to the overall shaping of the program. Do those remain static or do they change over time? Have they changed here?

9/18/2017 10:13:29 am

Hi Mr. H,

What good questions you ask. At the very beginning, and Mr. Huffman, please jump in, we were really working hard to get the program started and everyone had so many extra things on their plates, but, this also means we were a fairly close because we had to work so closely together. Those in the faculty that decided early college wasn't for them eventually left (and that was o.k.)

Nonetheless, the overall goal of early college has NOT changed- and that is to reach first generation/underrepresented populations and help them be "college ready" versus "college eligible."

More on that when we get together on Monday.

Milagros Rivera

9/24/2017 08:37:45 pm

It has taken me a long time to be able to talk about our school and to share with others in my community that our school does not get the pick of the crop as they assume. We get all kinds of students in our program and our job is to prepare them to stay in college and become successful by teaching them good study habits, responsibility and by maintaining a rigorous curriculum.

Tammy Rappold

9/15/2017 03:54:40 pm

#5. History provides a guiding path to the present and future

This statement struck me because of the need to keep our brand relevant:

1. "How Cross Creek worked then": Many of those who were under New Schools have left Cross Creek. It is therefore incumbent upon those who remain to pass on our brand of effective practices to new teachers.

2. "How we can shape the future": At the same time, we need to be adaptable and wise about future trends. Once video rental companies were competitors. Only one changed its business model to adapt to the times while the others did not. Will Cross Creek be more like Blockbuster's or will it be like Netflix?

9/17/2017 02:31:22 pm

Hi Sra. Rappold--

Relevancy is so important here at Cross Creek. There was a specific reason for our school to open. Are we being true to that reason or do we need to look beyond the early parameters and if so, what has changed?

Julia Little

9/17/2017 07:37:01 pm

My response to one other post, to Ms. Rappold:

I am thankful that Ms. Rappold is a critical, organized, minutes-taking member of our SIT team, because she keeps CCECHS on the right path for the future.

Tiffany White

9/25/2017 05:47:24 am

Mrs. Rappold,
I agree that we must strive to keep up with future trends and strive to serve the students in their generation.

9/15/2017 05:46:11 pm

Julia Little—“Top Five Reasons to Know our History” September Assignment

My top reason is:
History provides a guiding path to the present and future because of the following two reasons/facts:

1. I am currently a Beginning Teacher at an Early College, so that is the present.
2. If I do not lose my job because my NCFE exam scores were so bad in the 2016-17 school year, then I will be a Beginning Teacher next year, 2018-19 at an Early College, so that is the future.

9/17/2017 02:34:21 pm

Hi Dr. Little,

Thank you for the additional information sent via email. I will be sharing some of your questions with the group at a later time.

Yes, this blog platform only holds so much information so you were correct to email me your blog answer.

What is the greatest difference between CCECHS and a traditional school?

9/17/2017 07:34:03 pm

I suppose the greatest difference is the sacrifices that students must make to attend Early College. I would not have wanted to attend an Early College when I was in high school, grades 10-12, back in the late 1970's, because marching band, jazz band, concert band, all-county band, and orchestra were too big a part of my everyday experience and identity. My parents may have forced me to attend an Early College because of our financial situation, but I would have been resentful, at least for awhile.
Our students sacrifice their home school friends, a lot of time in bus transportation, athletics, JROTC opportunities, music, and other clubs to work their tails off trying to prepare themselves for college. This relevant, rigorous experience threatens to burn them out at an early age.

9/18/2017 10:38:44 am

Hi Dr. Little,

Thanks for your add-on. It was very powerful.

You said, "Our students sacrifice their home school friends, a lot of time in bus transportation, athletics, JROTC opportunities, music, and other clubs to work their tails off trying to prepare themselves for college. This relevant, rigorous experience threatens to burn them out at an early age."

This is an interesting point of view and I understand where you are coming from in this regard. Burn-out is real, for young and old.

The entire point of early college is to prepare students, who may not ever have the chance of going to college (or finishing), for the college experience, to create conditions so that when they are in college they will not crumble under the stress, that we have given them skills to cope and really to understand the college going process. We try to show students how to deal with the stress of deadlines, for example.
As to the "sacrifices" our students make by going to our school- yes, they do give up things that are part of the high school experience,but, in fairness, two years of college credit free of charge is pretty enticing. There are many more things, but this one is pretty significant. Did you know that some of our students started ROTC (not JRROTC) as high school seniors? We've had students who have participated in their home school sports programs and have been state champions. Our students make friends here, adding to their friendship circles.
Finally, we are assisting students become "college-ready," not just "college-eligible" and hopefully, create the conditions by which burn-out is rare.

9/25/2017 05:55:57 am

Dr. Little you do have a point, but even though the students may make sacrifices they are still gaining something. I think it is a great lesson for them to learn and the sacrifices are not forever, just for a little while.

9/16/2017 04:59:52 am

History helps us understand change

This reason is more relevant to me, since I am a newbie here at Cross Creek. I am in the process of learning and adapting to how things work here presently and how they have worked in the past.
Some things are very different than the previous experiences I have had at prior schools where I have taught. As time goes on I am pretty sure there will be a need to change. Change is learning and once we learn that means we are growing, so therefore change has to happen.

9/17/2017 01:05:03 pm

I like how you ended your statement with, "change has to happen." Many times change is neither enjoyable nor comfortable. However growth / progress is impossible without change.

9/17/2017 02:40:55 pm

Hi Ms. White,

Thanks for sharing! We used to say that we were flying in the sky while the airplane was being built! Much like the stages of grief, school innovation has its ups and downs but if the change has merit and professionals see it as such, then acceptance will occur. Those who resist accepted practices usually end up leaving- early college is not for everyone.

Matkins

9/22/2017 10:00:04 am

Change is inevitable, and I agree that growth can only happen when change is embraced.

Patsy Patrick

9/24/2017 04:42:27 pm

Mrs. White and Mrs. Rappold often times the change is mandated due to local, state and federal initiatives so change does happen and often. Both of you are veteran look how much has changed since you began your careers.

9/17/2017 03:00:50 pm

History makes us better teachers (leaders).
1. History connects things through time. Both as a classroom teacher and school administrator the information I gained provides wisdom and experiences of what worked or didn’t work. Reflecting on the history prevents repeating mistakes, therefore making a better teacher/school administrator. Changing from fixed mindset to growth, being innovative, future thinking, and willing to take risks. Understanding the history helps to better understand the present and predict possible future trends needed for Cross Creek.
2. When NCNS dissolved we had to look for other delivery of professional development to improve teaching and learning. CCS required district-wide professional development but not to the degree early colleges had previously received so everyone had a common language throughout the state. To be better teachers/administrators it is paramount our history of speaking a common language in our classrooms (5-R.s), Rounds, and Cadres remain in the present. History tells us WHY we did things the way we did.

9/18/2017 10:04:29 am

Hi Ms. Patrick,

If anything, risk-taking is what we do best and what scares people the most. I totally get that and am pragmatic enough to understand if something is not working--tweak it-or in certain things, get rid of it- you don't remember Unit Planning. The premise was good, but it was just a bridge too far for all of us. It quietly slipped away . . .

Common language, expectations, and a true sense of innovation will keep Cross Creek ahead of the rest. I've been in an innovative environment for so long that I can not even begin to think traditional. It hasn't always been easy, I admit, but WOW! have we come a long way!

Gina Hickle

9/17/2017 07:49:49 pm

History makes us better teachers.

1. Being fairly new to the Early College, it has been extremely helpful to learn from administration and veteran colleagues what makes the Early College concept successful and in particular, the strategies that have made the Cross Creek Early College program successful.

2. In turn, although I am not a teacher, I find myself in the role of one in the sense that I often have to 'teach' when counseling students and /or their parents about the rationale for some aspect of the early college program or AVID that they either do not like or consistently struggle against. Teaching others about the history and progression of the program also becomes essential during recruitment season when parents ask critical questions with the goal of making the best school of choice decision for their child.

9/18/2017 10:45:05 am

Hi Ms. Hickle,

Yes, indeed, you are a teacher to those who look through the lens of a traditional setting. You have the greatest gift of patience and understanding and that will help you help them.

We do a lot of things differently here at Cross Creek, but did you know that we are one of the most "conservative" (not in a political sense, but in terms of organization) early colleges in the network? We knew our county board's expectations and we fit our model inside of them. I think it's been pretty successful, but is there room for some change?

9/18/2017 06:31:57 am

I am a firm believer that history helps us understand change, even though valid arguments can be made for the importance of each of the five reasons.
1. If we know our school's history, we can comapare our current situation to our past and note the differences. Why did we change? Were the changes necessary? Where do we go from here?
2. Not all change is bad. It should be noted that carefully studying and analyzing our changes is a great way to reflect on our present. Are we in a better place? Were the changes beneficial? Did the changes help our student population? People are quick to say that change is bad, but it is important to point out that without change, there is no growth, and we must grow to survive.

9/18/2017 10:49:52 am

I am all for change, not for the sake of it, but if it increases our students' success out in the world, I am a believer!

Pragmatism is what makes the world go around. Think that "something" will help? Try it! If it works, keep it, if it doesn't, go back to the drawing board. Does that mean more work, perhaps, and that may be a reason people want to keep the status quo.

Jane Merritt

9/18/2017 07:05:03 am

History provides a guiding path to the present and future.

1. It helps to understand why we do things a certain way, which maybe different than at other schools, in the present.
2. We can shape the future by continuing to do what makes us successful and evaluating what we may need to change.

Alexis Howard

9/18/2017 10:21:51 am

I also agree with your number 2 point for statement 5. The only way to make sure our school stays successful, is to enhance what we already do well, and be ready to adjust/ modify what does not go as well to build in that area of weakness.

9/18/2017 10:50:59 am

Pragmatism is alive and well here at Cross Creek!

Jennison Shields

9/20/2017 01:32:23 pm

I agree with both statements. It is important to understand the rationale behind our practices, but we need to constantly evaluate the usefulness of those practices. Unfortunately, we don't have the autonomy that we deserve, and must comply with policies that don't necessarily makes sense in our setting. It is imperative that we do a cost/benefit analysis for those things which we can control.

9/22/2017 09:51:15 am

Completely agree.......Being focused enough to "stick to the script" is so important. At the same time, being aware of the need to evaluate/reflect and remain open to change is vital.

9/23/2017 05:45:35 am

Hi Ms. Merritt,

I agree that we need to hold on to what makes us successful- and I think change must happen depending on the circumstances--such as fewer people to do the same work for the same amount of students.

Sometimes we don't see the value in something until it is gone...and what one person doesn't find valuable another does!

9/18/2017 08:25:23 am

5. Past, Present, and Future - History shapes framework.

1. I chose this as it appeared to be the most relevant to me and my basic philosophical approach to history.
2. Understanding what happened in the past can direct what happens in the future.

9/18/2017 10:53:45 am

Hi Mr. Hosking,

Could you elaborate more on your philosophy? As a history teacher ,what is the biggest take-away you have when it comes to connecting our innovative school to the past present and future?

9/18/2017 10:18:56 am

I feel as though the point "History provides a guiding path to the present and future" is the most striking for me, because as teachers, and as a team, we need to constantly be evaluating things that have gone well and things that need to be adjusted or changed to help the school grow. With each new class coming through, social and economic focus seems to be changing, and we need to be ready to modifying how we work as individuals and as a team to keep the 5 R's (Rigor, Relationships, Relevancy, Respect, and Responsibility) the center of how our school runs while making it relate to the groups coming through.

History enables us to understand how Cross Creek worked then, how it works now, and how we can shape the future. It provides us with the framework of knowledge that we need in order to build a better school each and every day.

9/23/2017 05:54:11 am

The 5 R's are so important and are always at risk . . .

9/24/2017 08:46:25 pm

I agree with your insights on how we need to adapt and modify our teaching according to the group of students that come through our doors.Change is important in our everyday teaching, If something does not work, change is a must.

9/19/2017 06:51:50 am

History makes us better teachers.

1. Knowing our history makes us better decision makers. We can learn from what did work, and what didn't. Over they years we have tried many things and learned from each attempt. That knowledge can help us as we continue to seek improvement.

2. There's no teacher like experience, as they say. We grow as teachers based on our individual experiences, but we can also learn from the experiences of others.

Leoncia Jane T Nicdao

9/20/2017 06:35:53 pm

Both statements are true and supports the premise that history makes us better teachers. Experience is indeed the greatest teacher where we learn from the outcome of our decisions and choices.

9/23/2017 05:56:43 am

Hi Ms. Shields,
Wouldn't you agree we sometimes learn more from the mistakes people make than our own actual experiences? That's why it's important to look at the BIG picture and not always look at the details that sometimes bog us down.

9/20/2017 06:30:34 pm

History tells us who we are

1. Present happenings and future plans are always product or based from our history or past. Experience is the greatest avenue where we can learn and improve ourselves and that makes and defines us.
2. Without history no one can ever traced back our starting point. We cannot define the length and width of what we had achieved and learned without looking back from our history.

9/23/2017 06:04:41 am

Hi Ms. Nicdao,

Your comments brought some things to my mind . . . when new people come into an established organization, they see things with fresh eyes...so it really is beneficial for both, new and veteran, to discuss and to give observations on processes.

"Why" is a very good start point for any conversation between new and veteran employees . . .

9/24/2017 05:22:52 pm

I agree with you regarding experience is the greatest avenue to learn, improve, and not to repeat error but learn from them. This is the true mark of wisdom.

9/22/2017 09:48:37 am

History tells us who we are

1. Origins are important and should be respected as trademarks of how and why the frameworks were established. While history should not necessarily be repeated always, it should be used as a guiding force as Cross Creek continues to thrive and develop. Without it, Cross Creek has no identity and, therefore, no purpose.

2. Despite the changes that inevitably occur in response to an ever-changing world, the foundation that was established serves as the common tool of identity. The core of who we are was originally molded so that no matter what the present and future bring, we will not lose sight of who we are and what we are supposed to be.

9/23/2017 06:15:27 am

Hi Ms. Matkins,

You used the word foundation- and I sincerely believe that that is the key for success at our school.

As educators it's important for us to look at the "foundation" of our early college. What makes us successful? WHY do we do the things we do?

Food for thought!

Milagros Rivera link

9/24/2017 08:20:54 pm

History provides a guiding path to the present and future. As a teacher is important to know how things worked at CC in the beginning years and changes that took placed from New Schools framework and AVID and returning to AVID. Life is a cycle and we leave behind things that were not productive and adopt new techniques. The main goal is to improve our school and at the same time our students benefit from our growth as teachers.
We improve each and every day as we participate in PD's and as we observe other teachers through Rounds. I speak for myself, I have learned a great deal from observing interactions in other classes.
I agree with the statement that history makes us better teachers. I am a better teacher now because of the past experiences I lived in other schools. I am more appreciative of the children I teach and I know that my delivery of instruction has improved because my mindset is at a different level than it was last year.

K R McGinnis

4/19/2018 08:59:10 am

History provides a guiding path to the present and future

1. We are simply the product of all that came before, but what came before does not mean it is all we will ever be. The past is prologue, but there is still a story to tell different from the one that came before.

2. If we obsess or focus solely on the past, there is no present (and thereby no future). Everything we have done is a road map, but there are many routes. Just because one thing worked in 2012 doesn't mean it will work in 2018. Just because X happened doesn't mean Y will follow.

The past is the ultimate guiding light, but if you never leave the availability of the lighthouse, you will never explore the great blue sea.

4/19/2018 09:03:24 am

Right you are-- we must always be open to new realities (less staff) and respond appropriately with solutions to the new normal.

September 2017

Teach Like A Cavalier! Our Perspective Past- September

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