Begin with the end in mind

In the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, he states “Habit 2 is based on imagination–the ability to envision in your mind what you cannot at present see with your eyes.” The idea behind beginning with the end in mind is “based on the principle that all things are created twice,” Covey says. “There is a mental (first) creation, and a physical (second) creation.”

I have taken the first step. I know what my end will be. It is the journey to reach the end that I am now working to unfold. That leads me to this post. It is designed to give you a look into the passion I have in education. It is designed to give purpose to what my end results will be. Furthermore, it is designed to lay out my path to achievement.

Sure I could give you the same information I have my About Me page, but that is not necessary when you can read it for yourselves there. As a quick sum up, I Have been in education since I graduated high school. I started in this field as a preschool teacher. I enjoyed the days with four-year-old children learning thematically; reading stories; enjoying centers; and singing our ABCs, which often I challenged with singing the ABCs backwards.  I have enjoyed teaching grades fourth, fifth, and sixth. I have enjoyed coaching teachers in grades K-5 in English Language Arts. In fact, it was this coaching position which started fueling the fire of my goal. Finally, I have enjoyed upper administration as a curriculum director for English Language Arts, Social Studies, and English Language Learners. 

Now, I have this dream that I have set a purpose to fulfill. It is a hard dream to unravel because it is unlike so many others. It is designed to provide a service for schools with zero to minimal charges for services.

I want to give back because I aspire to help those who have the least resources so they can be successful. If you look at our school budget formulas, you will understand. Schools are funded by student pupil enrollment and attendance. For our rural schools in America this is a huge issue, as well as smaller districts in large cities. 

---

Now think about that for a second. If $50,045 can be earned to save senior cats each year (to view click here), why is hard for people to donate to a cause aimed at helping our schools. I know right now it looks like you are helping me pay off debt. I have the amount listed so $100,000 can be used for legal and start up costs at a minimum. In addition to that I am looking to volunteer at no less than five districts to justify the amount being asked for at this time.  I will post and update the status of my work on my blog and my portfolio (although no names will be used to protect privacy unless I have been granted permission solely by the district). 

The services by my future nonprofit includes curriculum analysis, needs-based professional development, working with teams to vertically align curriculum, and assisting teachers in creating a toolkit or dashboard for curriculum and instruction access.
​
I agree, that sounds like a lot and you ask where I start. I have a process. First, I would need to meet with the administration to discuss what the district or school needs are in alignment with the school mission and vision. From there, I would want to observe and interview teachers. I can not begin a plan if I do not know our starting point. Then I would also look at the school data points. From there, I would work to create a plan for implementation. I would present that to the school team. It is important to note, my support would not end there. In fact, I would provide professional development that supports and enriches what the teachers are doing to meet and enhance the implementation plan. 

There are three things I believe to be true about professional development.

1. Meaningful to the group. If you are leading a PD on science with a group of reading teachers, they are most likely to become unengaged. We have to make sure the training matches the purpose.
2. Application over lecture. I do realize there has to be some lecture, but if educators do not apply it during the session they are likely not to try it in their own classrooms when they go back to teach. It is important not only to give educators a strategy, but to also give them time to try it out. When I led PD in my role as Curriculum Director I stuck to common strategies and each time I led a OD we did engage in those strategies. I saw teachers take those back and implement them in their own practice with students.
3. One and done is not good professional development. If you want to make change with the professional development than make sure you support educators with it more than once.

All services I offer to schools or districts will model after my philosophy of curriculum and professional development. 

---

​When I was growing up, my father always told me I could be or anything I wanted, I just had to take the first steps. To reach your goals you have to be willing to put forth the work. Otherwise, how fulfilling is to you if you just got it handed to you. By creating my GoFundMe I have taken the first step on the path to achieving my goal.  

---

I am also currently working on finding educators to serve on a board with a range of experiences and backgrounds related to education or advocacy. I am working out smaller details I will need once I have obtained a lawyer to help me set up the nonprofit. I want everything to be by the book and organized. I want to be transparent in all I do with the educational establishment. Finally, I am looking for some districts to start my work with as I move further down the path on this adventure.

What do I need from you all, my readers? One, a simple donation goes a long way. Second, please share the campaign on GoFundMe with others in your networks. Third, if you know a district who is willing to work with me in the Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arkansas, or Kentucky area send me a message at crazycurrchic@gmail.com. I am sincere in every effort and want to reach my destination. Thank you.