Permission
to Create, Go and Do!
One of our
Nation’s founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson, believed strongly that public education was the foundation
for the preservation of freedom and happiness. Failing to provide public
education would “leave the people in ignorance” and our democracy doomed.
Realized as a local
responsibility, communities created non-profit,
tax-supported entities-public schools-whose purpose was to educate and prepare
young people. Despite pressures from
beyond the community, it is the locally elected Board of Education that creates
mission, vision, policy and governances to give direction. If the Board does not say go and do, the
school doesn’t go and do.
In Jamie
Vollmer’s book “Schools Cannot Do It Alone” he states that America’s educators
cannot “teach all children to high levels” because they work in a system
designed to do something else: Select and sort young people for an industrial
society that no longer exists.
The Tullahoma
City Schools Board of Education understands that a new structure is needed, one
that supports ALL students and empowers them to THINK, LEAD and SERVE.
What is
exciting is that not only is the TCS Board creating policy, but they are doing
the work with a fresh, updated approach. Modeling 21st century
thinking, the Board used a “flipped process” to create the Mission
statement. Meeting face to face in a
retreat to craft the DRAFT Mission statement the Board had asynchronous virtual
conversations via email, edited the document online, modeled 21st
century learning and creating.
TCS Board
members have also attended EdcampGigCity and participated in numerous site
visits. They are actively contributing to the definition of what the new normal
is and how to create direction to prepare TCS young people. The TCS Board of Education is engaged,
committed and giving permission to create, go and do!
Ready,
Aim, SHOOT!
In receiving
permission to create, go and do, TCS is in “ready” phase. Beginning November 1,
2018, for one hundred days, actions have been centered around defining current
condition, creating vision, identifying strengths and opportunities for
growth. It has measuring capacity and
resources for change, sending out scouting parties to see what and or how
others are transforming teaching and learning.
It is amazing that across the District, from Tullahoma Mayor Lane Curlee
to Motlow College President Michael Torrance to the man on the street energy
and excitement is growing!
The next 100
days will be the “aim” phase. Actions
will include, but not be limited to: “getting folks on the bus, and in the
right seat”, reviewing curriculum, instruction and assessment, identifying
potential public private partnerships, as well as examine physical space to
support teaching and learning. All of
this through the lens of what are the needs and how can we best meet them with
financial resources. The goal or the “shoot”
phase will be the start of the 2019-2020 school year.
Strategic
thinking: OODA Loop
Observation,
Orientate, Decision and Action is strategic thinking created by Col. John Boyd
and used by the military. The premise is that as you move through a dynamic,
fluid environment toward a goal and observe situations, you orientate to the
situation so as to make decisions and take actions. The speed through which you
move through the cycle and the flexibility to respond to conditions gives a
tactical advantage and accelerates toward the successful completion of the mission. The
target for TCS is to move though change and be in a new condition in 72 months,
when the class of 2025 graduates from Tullahoma High School.
Wildcat
Drilling Well #4
"WILDCAT Well Drilling" also known as exploratory drilling, is the
process of drilling for oil or natural gas in unproven or fully exploited areas
that either have no concrete historic production records or have been fully
exploited as a site for oil and gas output. A Roughneck's duties can include anything involved with
connecting pipe down the well bore, as well as general work around a rig. The
“Roughneck” crew of WILDCAT Well #4 (teachers) will start drilling Wednesday,
January 30 @ 1:30 at Old West Middle School. Good stuff happening!
Tullahoma
Schools Parent Summit
It takes a
village to raise a child is a true statement. Also true is the fact that kids
do not come with an instruction book and that each child is different. That being
said TCS realizes the importance of working and collaborating with parents. Be
sure to put the K-12 Parent Summit, scheduled for Saturday, February 2 on your
radar!
Permission
Granted: Go and Do!
