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Senior teachers, the middle managers in the nation’s schools, have been urged to increase their supervision of and assistance to their younger colleagues as one measure to improve the output of the education sector.

According to Dr Renee Rattray, director of education programmes at the JN Foundation, middle managers in schools must recognise that their positions are not simply meritorious rewards but roles which require them to be the engines of school improvement.

Addressing heads of departments and grade coordinators from St Mary, Portland and St Thomas-based schools participating in the JN Foundation’s iLead programme, Rattray argued that middle leaders in schools should recognise that they can transform their schools through the people who report to them.

“In many schools, they (senior teachers) are not providing an adequate support framework for teachers,” said Rattray, as she charged that many senior teachers do not have a full understanding of their leadership and management roles.

According to Rattray, many of these middle managers are promoted to positions of seniority without adequate preparation.

“There are pockets of excellence. However, they are not being pulled together by a strong leadership team that can articulate a vision and support people to achieve objectives.”

Rattray charged that often there is not enough support for new teachers fresh out of colleges, who are sometimes placed in the most difficult situations upon entry to the schools. She said senior teachers should be the ones who help to provide this support.

“We need to be working alongside educators to model what effective teaching looks like. Unfortunately, this is not established practice in our schools and in the system. In most other professions, people need to shadow and work alongside others in order to develop their craft.

“It’s important for teachers to, themselves, become learners within a well-oiled professional learning community if we are to see the kinds of improvement that we expect,” said Rattray.

Texas-based educational professional development consultant Misty Miller, who also addressed the middle leaders workshop, argued that senior teachers should be able to identify the varying capacities of those they guide so that they can deploy persons effectively to get the job done.

SELF-EVALUATION

According to Miller, it is important for the middle managers to be able to critically evaluate their own leadership and the abilities of those in their remit.

“You can’t say that as a leader ‘I am doing well’, or ‘my data looks good’ and ‘I’m great as a leader’ when you are not building and strengthening the people around you,” said Miller.

“It’s not our job to make people teach like us … it’s our job to promote best practices and indicate how best practices are executed, which will look different in every classroom.”

The iLead Programme, which has been implemented in five schools in the parishes of Portland, St Mary and St Thomas, has been working closely with school leaders, including heads of departments and grade coordinators, over the past year to address leadership and management problems.

The programme, guided by the JN Foundation, has targeted select schools which were cited by the National Education Inspectorate as being in need of critical support, to build their leadership capacity and improve student performance through improved teaching as well as to create an enhanced school environment.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150726/senior-teachers-must-do-more-improve-schools

National senior netballer Sasha Gaye-Henry says she will be hanging up her Sunshine Girls bib after she returns from representing Jamaica at the Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia in August.

The centre court player was thanking Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) for its support in helping her to attend three Netball World Championships since 2007. One of the most experienced players on the 12-member squad, Henry says she will get more involved in coaching after she retires.

Henry stated that the consistent support she had received from JNBS was unusual and encouraged more firms to contribute to the national team in this way.

She was addressing Netball Jamaica executives as well as representatives of JNBS and the Gold Rush Down Under campaign at a luncheon at the Spanish Court Hotel yesterday.

Gavin Beckford, JNBS executive for marketing and brand management, responded by thanking Henry for her outstanding efforts on and off the court in support of netball in the country over the years and wished her success in Australia, as well as in retirement.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20150730/henry-thanks-sponsor-jn-plans-retirement

ROBERT Lightbourne High in Trinityville, St Thomas, which previously struggled with underperformance is reaping great success under its new leadership as it now boasts a 43 per cent increase in maths, up from zero ,and a 35 per cent hike in English in the 2014 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

The school which was also severely under-populated has since received approximately 100 transfers from other institutions in the parish.

Interim Principal Alfred Thomas said the improvements in maths and English came as a result of the keen focus on literacy and numeracy as the school struggled with children reading below their grade level, some as low as the pre-primer stage.

“Seventy-four per cent of students were reading below the grade four level. We had students who were struggling to identify letters; therefore, we decided that it made no sense to have students struggling to identify letters; and, you are asking them to do 13 subjects,” the principal said.

Against that background, the number of subjects carried by some students were reduced to eight; and, higher priority given to improving their literacy and numeracy competencies.

The school which is a participant in the JN Foundation iLead educational leadership programme is steadily pulling itself up from the bottom rung of the secondary education ladder since it was ranked at the bottom of secondary schools by Educate Jamaica and flagged as being in need of critical support by the National Education Inspectorate.

Acknowledging the challenges faced, at a recent town hall meeting held at the institution, Thomas explained that the school has managed to strategically use the difficulties it has been facing as opportunities for growth.

“We have turned some of our negatives into a positive; and, used our challenges as opportunities to tell others about Robert Lightbourne; our issues, and to ask for help,” he revealed to residents from the surrounding Trinityville community.

With the support of the Ministry of Education and the JN Foundation, through the iLead Programme, other institutions and individual benefactors, the high school is now recording improvements in its performance, as the expectations of students have also increased.

“We want to become a school of choice with a positive image, where students succeed through perseverance…and we all know the history of our image,” Thomas said, pointing to the consistent disciplinary challenges the school had with students, in the past.

“We had to raise the expectations of our students, because if we expect nothing from them, then that is what we are going to get,” he said.

And, raising their expectations have come from implementing simple measures the school leadership discovered, such as: changing the school uniform from a dull purple tunic for girls and plain khakis for boys, to white blouses coordinated with energetic purple skirts for girls, accentuated by matching purple ties, diagonally striped with white, which both girls and boys wear..

In addition, a fresh coat of paint and general spruce up of the physical plant has helped to bring a sense of pride to students and administrators.

Student Clinton Prendergast who once struggled with reading now has six CSEC subjects and is getting ready to sit some more.

“I never knew I had this strength to be this student that I am now,” Prendergast said. “When I left Trinityville Primary and came to Robert Lightbourne… with the negative things people said about this school, I said to myself: “I won’t reach anywhere; but, I am a better person now because of my teachers and the work the school has been doing,” the eleventh grader said.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/On-the-rise-_19221506

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