Category Archives for Leadership & Influences in Education

A Nation Of Wimps The High Cost of Invasive Parenting

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will review the historical progression of rules and unrealistic expectations that have been implemented in society to protect children from themselves.
2. Teachers will look at how schools have been blamed for all of society problems and how schools have taken on the responsibility of addressing all potential situations.
3. Educators will examine social change that have taken place and that shifts have placed the burden of responsibility from individuals or parents onto other institutions, teachers, social support staff and school systems.
4. Teaches will explore ways to discern problem situations and then place the burden of responsibility where it belongs and to address overly protective parents.
5. Educators will then research this topic as it relates to their society, personal lives as well as its impact on schools, classrooms, students and apply solutions to these issues.

Essentials of World Languages, Grades K-12

- 1 Graduate Credit -

Course Objectives

1. Teachers will examine the shift to performance-based model of language instruction programs and the challenges associated with new instructional activities, projects and academic assessments.
2. Students will learn about setting more realistic expectations for attaining student's second-language proficiency using a variety of instructional approaches.
3. Educators will be presented with new ways to arrange the instructional environment in languages classes as well as creating a new framework for the value of language learning in an increasing global social culture.
4. Teachers learn about designing curriculum and corresponding assessments. They will review current research in the field of world languages and design new lessons and classroom strategies.
5. Educators will review the new techniques and concepts that are being developed by teachers nationwide for possible implementation into their instruction.

Ennegram of Parenting

- 1 Graduate Credit -

Course Objectives

1. Teachers will study the historical background of the Enneagram and how it describes children in K-8 classrooms.
2. Participants will read and analyze the perfectionist, helper, and achiever personality styles in order to understanding those personality types.
3. Students will review the personality quizzes on the achiever, romantic, and observer's styles. They will study the questioner, asserter and peacemaker and their 10 common behavior problems and approaches to working with them.
4. Educators taking this course will find their own Enneagram personality style and participate in peer and teacher colleague discussions to share perspectives.
5. Teachers will develop a written paper that utilizes the content of the book as it applies to their classroom settings, students, and how to share the Enneagram styles with parents.

Bullying and Harassment: A Legal Guide for Educators

- 1 Graduate Credit -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the legal background associated with school bullying or harassment and their responsibility and authority to address these issues.
2. Teachers will explore other areas of concern, such as sexual or gender-based bullying and other forms that may considered as student harassment in schools.
3. Participants will evaluate how their school and district policies address these problems and what procedures they should and must follow in the reporting process.
4. Participants will examine student threats and violence in schools, and analyze ways to address those issues. They will also look at harassment by adult staff personnel in schools.
5. Educators will learn about the new internet forms of bullying, harassment, and threats that have developed with the use of "Face Book" and other internet forums.

School Law: What Every Educator Should Know

- 2 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will have a working knowledge of basic legal issues that affect the teachers and the public schools system.
2. Teachers will examine collective bargaining contracts, tenure and freedom of expression, association representation for educators and school environments.
3. Educators will be able to discern the legal dynamics related to religion, prayer, and expression issues in schools as well as free of the press and speech.
4. Teachers will study the legal issues related to due process, personnel management decisions as well as the legal concept of governmental immunity.
5. Educators will write about legal issues relating to students, teachers, parents and administrators as they may apply to their school and personal experience.

Grandparents Raising Grandkids

- 3 Graduate Credits -

Course Objectives

1. Educators will learn about the theories of how and what goes on in the minds of children with Aspergers syndrome and develop an understanding of how they think.
2. Teachers will research the generational issues, beliefs and values of our technology and media culture as they impact the parenting relationships of the generational divide.
3. Educators will examine the difficult issues regarding why the biological parent/s is not raising the child as well as the other family and social dynamics that arise.
4. Teachers will review the physical and emotional issues that aging grandparents have and how it affects their ability to provide for, nurture and educate their grandchild.
5. Teachers will develop writings, research this topic and develop lessons or activities that utilize the course content to improve the learning and school experience of everyone.