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Educational leadership expert Dr Renee Rattray says there are too many schools that are not focusing on their core business of teaching and learning.

According to Dr Rattray, who heads the private sector-led iLead programme, too many school leaders, whom she calls “chief learning officers”, focus on issues that are non-indicators of the quality of learning taking place in their institutions.

“When principals are asked: ‘How is your school doing?’ They respond: ‘Oh, we did so well in 4H; we entered JCDC and we received one gold medal; and all our teachers are qualified.’ In other words, they say everything except how their students are learning,” Dr Rattray said.

She was addressing 50 principals and vice-principals attending the Ministry of Education’s Back-to-School Conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston recently.

“What we focus on is not necessarily results. Persons who are recognised for being outstanding principals and teachers in other countries receive accolades because their academic turnaround has been significant,” Dr Rattray argued. “Therefore, it is very important for us to ensure we are focusing on the right things.”

The Harvard-trained former principal and national school inspector noted, for instance, that more principals and vice-principals need to be observing what teachers are doing in classrooms and providing them with adequate feedback.

“We spend endless periods of time talking about writing lesson plans and looking through teachers’ books; making sure they write lesson plans; and, we never visit the classrooms to see what is going on there,” Dr Rattray stated.

“Don’t get me wrong, lesson planning is important. What I am saying is the only way a leader can know if learning is taking place is when you actually observe the progress; and not during appraisal time, but constantly.”

She said feedback to teachers should be detailed, so that they can appreciate what areas need improvement and what their areas of strength are. She also noted that the only feedback many teachers receive from their supervisors is the term “satisfactory”, but that is not enough.

“Similar to students, schools must add value to educators, who should also be learning and growing constantly,” she declared. “We must raise that bar. Teachers also want to know how they are doing; and everybody needs a coach.”

Dr Rattray said feedback should meld seamlessly into teachers’ professional development and be incorporated into the philosophy of school leadership.

“Research has shown that workshop-type professional development, which is what we practise mostly, is the most ineffective form of professional development. Learning on the job, with senior staff, mentors and coaches is the way to go; observing each other and sharing best practices is where real change happens,” she emphasised.

“Awesome leaders foster this kind of collaboration in their schools so that there is always continuous learning for teachers,” she maintained.

Beyond the issue of teacher development, Dr Rattray also urged the principals to do more to hold teachers to account, which she noted was difficult if they were not observing teachers in the classroom.

“What we say that we do often is not necessarily what happens,” she said. “Therefore, we must hold our teachers accountable and be fearless about it.”

Recounting a stark discovery she made at a school while she was an inspector, Dr Rattray underscored that principals have to be vigilant about maintaining standards by being meticulous and using data.

“I was in a school a few years ago,” she recounted, “and in that school the head of department for mathematics had been the head for 25 years and had never passed maths. However, the principal had plaques all over the wall that he was the greatest, although the examination data revealed that most of his students failed the subject during those 25 years,” she disclosed.

“We have to be accountable. We have to reduce the levels of mediocrity in our education system,” she said to applause.

iLead is an educational leadership programme developed by the JN Foundation and is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Focus-on-the-core-business-of-schools–educator-tells-principals_19221956

It started with one Mac computer acquired by the May Pen Y’s Men Service Club nearly a year ago courtesy of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation.

And, last week, the organisation opened a fully furnished computer lab, with 14 computers, a most welcome addition to Montclair, Clarendon.

In total appreciation of the Jamaican saying ‘one one cocoa full basket,’ the lab was officially opened at the Astel Parkinson Community Centre, with the prime objective to train young people in that community to become self-sufficient in information communication technology (ICT).

“We wanted more young people to be aware of the Y Service Club. we also wanted to train them in areas they were interested in and most wanted to learn computer graphic design,” said Claris McDonald, project officer, May Pen Y Service Club. “We, therefore, reached out to the JNBS Foundation, which assisted us with acquiring our first computer to get started, and, later, the Universal Service Fund (USF) came to our assistance.”

With a graphic design class up and running, more than 20 students participated in the programme and have demonstrated their new skills on assignments, with the most recent being the designing and printing of programmes for the opening of the lab.

creative skills

One of the beneficiaries, Shanice Smith, a grade 11 student at the Garvey Maceo High School, said her ability to use her creative skills as a means to secure part-time employment is quite exciting.

“I used to see posters mounted around town, and I always want to learn how to design them, therefore, I was excited to participate in the graphic design course. I have learned so much, and now I am making posters, business cards, logos, and invitations. I am also very happy that my instructor helps us as students to secure clients and to earn,” said Smith.

Addressing the lab-opening ceremony, Rose Miller, grants manager at the JNBS Foundation, highlighted that the foundation continued to believe in the power of technology and demonstrated this by supporting initiatives that promote increased access to ICT.

“Our foundation was instrumental in providing your service club with a computer to establish a course in computer graphic design, and it’s heartening to see the bar being raised for the opening of a computer lab, with the assistance of the Universal Service Fund, which provided additional equipment,” she said.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150805/montclair-clarendon-welcomes-new-computer-lab
 

General Manager of Jamaica National Building Society Foundation (JN Foundation) Saffrey Brown has been selected to participate in The International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) this month for three weeks in the United States of America (US).

The IVLP is the US Department of State’s premier professional exchange programme. Through short-term visits to the US, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience the country first-hand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Brown is the only Caribbean representative of the 16 professionals in the batch focusing on change-makers, social enterprises and social entrepreneurs. Participants are nominated and selected annually by the staff at US embassies worldwide and are approved by the State Department staff in Washington, DC.

Social enterprise is definitely Brown’s area as, under her leadership, the JN Foundation launched the Social Enterprise Boost Initiative (SEBI) in 2013, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development. The primary objective of this initiative is to mobilise employment, investment and revenue within communities across Jamaica in a socially responsible manner, and, in so doing, improve the nation’s economic, social and environmental conditions.

“It (being invited) makes me realise that my work is good and people who are interested in the type of work I’m doing recognise the value,” she said. “So from a personal professional perspective, it’s just a reinforcement that I’m on the right track.” Brown, who leaves on Saturday, can’t wait to start networking.

“It was exciting when I realised what the programme was,” she said. “We’re going to five cities across the US, to some really interesting projects.” Brown will be visiting Washington, DC, Boston, Louisville, Seattle and San Francisco. She said she will be asking many questions as we are at a critical stage in social enterprise in Jamaica.

“There are a lot of questions I have, because social enterprise is an emerging field in Jamaica. We’re leading on, but that doesn’t mean we know everything,” she said. “I want to go and see what’s happening in the States. My colleagues, the people that are coming on the trip with me, are all from developing countries, so I also want to know what are the best practices in developing countries.” Other countries in the social enterprise group include Mongolia, Bolivia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Community work

Trinidad and Tobago-born Brown has been involved in social intervention and community development projects for years, having previously worked at the Kingston Restoration Company after leaving the University of the West Indies, Mona. Brown also had a two-year stint working with housing and regeneration programmes in east London.

“And every time I would come back to Jamaica from my holiday, each project that I had worked on prior … they were closing shop,” she said. “I said to myself, this cannot be the right way to do social interventions because, if you cannot change something permanently, then you really haven’t changed it.” So, when she returned to Jamaica, she felt the social programming being done in the island at the JN Foundation had to focus on the social enterprise model. This led to SEBI’s launch, which has aided and spawned numerous entities, positively affecting the lives of Jamaicans.

After the IVLP period ends, Brown hopes to return with a number of recommendations, ideas and suggestions to propel Jamaica’s social enterprise sector forward. She also wants to forge new partnerships with international entities. She sees benefits not just for the local social enterprise model, but also the wider JN Foundation.

“We are a developmental organisation and I think having access to study visits and seeing what’s happening is hugely important,” she said, noting she will be keeping a blog to record. “We are also going to be doing a lot on corporate social responsibility. Let’s see what the big boys are doing in the US and let’s see what we can apply here.”

Since its inception in 1940, nearly 200,000 distinguished international visitors have participated in the IVLP.

daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150807/jn-foundations-saffrey-brown-prestigious-trip

The inaugural Jamaica National Building Society (JN) Foundation Heroes in Action 5K Run/Walk, which will be staged on Sunday, October 18, starting from the Falmouth Pier, Trelawny, has received an official endorsement from the parish’s most famous son, 100 and 200 metres sprint world record holder, Usain Bolt.

Earl Jarrett, chairman of the JN Foundation and general manager of Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), says the event is being held as part of the 141st anniversary celebration of Jamaica National and illustrates a continued commitment to rural development by the organisation.

significant location

“Our choice of Falmouth as the backdrop of our first 5K event is significant as the town’s place as a historic capital in Jamaica “has been solidified by the fact that it had piped water before New York City and still stands as one of the Caribbean’s most well preserved Georgian styled towns, with its rich architectural detail.”

The event, which is targeted to raise funds for the Granville Place of Safety for girls, located in Garrick Foyle, Trelawny will contribute to the construction of a building, which will house a classroom, a media library and sewing room.

Jarrett acknowledged that the endorsement of the event by Bolt and the Usain Bolt Foundation is a positive indicator of the constructive impact that the event is expected to have, “not only on the lives of the residents of the Granville; but, also in the town of Falmouth and the parish of Trelawny.”

“Usain has championed the pursuit of excellence throughout his dynamic, world class track and field career; and, has demonstrated his willingness not only to be a positive role model; but, also, to give back to his community in meaningful ways. We are, therefore, pleased that he has chosen to partner with the Foundation in the 5k event in Trelawny,” he said.

For his part, Usain Bolt said “I am always happy to be a part of any positive venture that gives back to my parish. I know the people of not only Trelawny; but, the entire Jamaica will come out and support the 5K.”

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20150814/bolt-supports-jn-foundations-heroes-action-5k

BUFF Bay Primary, in the town of the same name in the parish of Portland, has walked away with the top prize for recording the most improvement in its management and academic performance during year one of the JN Foundation’s iLead education leadership programme.

The award was presented at a ceremony held at the Altamont Court Hotel in New Kingston, recently.

“All the schools showed tremendous progress over the past year. However, Buff Bay stood out as an exemplary team, implementing various administrative, teaching and learning strategies, which have impacted positively on discipline and punctuality, as well as student performance,” said Dr Renee Rattray, director of education programmes at JN Foundation.

“The schools, including Buff Bay, still have a far way to go to improve the quality of their leadership, management and student performance. However, the incremental successes and enthusiasm has been impressive,” Dr Rattray added.

Buff Bay is one five schools in the iLead programme, which was designed, in tandem with the Ministry of Education, to build leadership capacity and improve student performance through improved teaching; and create an enhanced school environment.

The other participating schools are Brimmer Vale High, Islington High, and Port Maria Primary, all in St Mary; and Robert Lightbourne High in St Thomas. They have all recorded significant improvements in management and leadership, which have impacted student performance.

“Since September we’ve implemented a Turnaround Plan for the school leadership that has been influencing the school’s culture and impacting teaching and learning,” Acting Principal of Buff Bay Primary, June Dobbs disclosed.

“This plan resulted in a change of attitude in both our administrators and educators. It also included the parent body, as they were sensitised through the Parent Teachers’ Association about the new policies being implemented and the role they could play,” she stated.

The strategies had particular impact on punctuality and numeracy and literacy levels. Overall, literacy improved by some 40 per cent among grade four students. More than 15 students of the cohort, which also sat the Grade Six Achievement Test, scored above 92 per cent across all subject areas this year.

“More accountability is taking place,” Dobbs noted.

“Our middle managers, who are our senior teachers with supervisory roles, are more cognisant of the fact that I am a part of the management team; and, my role is to see that plans put in place are being implemented, not to watch them being put into place and to criticise,” she continued.

“More importance was given to punctuality, as staff members realised that managing time matters, and everyone needed to respond to the bell and get to class on time,” Mrs Dobbs explained.

She said planning sessions have also been strengthened; consequently, the time allotted to sessions were extended, so that teachers have more time to share ideas with each other, based on observation and data.

The four other schools in the iLead Programme also received awards. Robert Lightbourne High received an award for effectively engaging its stakeholders through a town hall meeting; Islington High was awarded for being the school which was best at leveraging its community stakeholders. Brimmer Vale High was awarded for the turnaround in school culture; and, Port Maria High recognised for its use of data to improve overall student achievement.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buff-Bay-Leads_19223860
 

It was a memorable first day for 30 students who turned up for The Source Savanna-la-Mar one-week summer camp recently.

The students were privy to an exclusive opportunity to meet United States Ambassador to Jamaica Luis G. Moreno.

Organised by Peace Corps volunteer Jordan Waldschmidt, the ambassador addressed the students and participated in an interactive question-and-answer session, as well as a photo opportunity.

Incoming grade-seven student at Frome Technical High School Beatrice Cummings described the visit as “unforgettable”.

“I really feel good because I got to meet Ambassador Moreno. I enjoyed the way he spoke to us and the interesting things he shared about his love for Jamaica, as well as his responsibilities as a United States ambassador. He seems like a fun person,” said Cummings.

Moreno said the moment resonated well with him, and he recalled his early involvement in summer camps as a student and teacher. He implored the students to gain as much international exposure to enhance their marketability and skills to build their country as possible.

“Go and discover the world. Study abroad if you can, and come back to Jamaica with solid experiences and international exposure. It is nothing like going back to where you are from, to give back and share what you know and have learned, to uplift your community, peers and country.”

beautiful people

Spending more than 30 years travelling around the world, Ambassador Moreno struck a chord with the students when he cited Jamaica as being one of the nicest places he has ever worked.

“The best thing about Jamaica is the people, and when they smile, you know it is real. Some parts of the world, you don’t really know what that smile means and what they want to do,” he said.

“People say Jamaica is so beautiful, with its beaches and mountains, and when I was assigned to Jamaica, I made a vow to visit every single Peace Corps project that I could, and all the parishes in Jamaica, to be able to see the island and to interact with the people. The most important natural resource Jamaica has is the people, especially you, the young people,” he said.

A participant in the JN Foundation’s Social Enterprise Boost Initiative, The Source Savanna-la-Mar is a community-based and operated resource centre, that promotes educational and professional advancement of students and adults based on its offerings and ease of accessibility.

Julien Pringle, centre administrator, said the ambassador’s visit was the perfect start to the summer camp. Incorporating presentations from influential persons, along with arts and academic subjects taught by volunteers, the summer camp has been greatly anticipated by students for the last three years.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150819/us-ambassador-moreno-visits-source-savanna-la-mar