SJLS into the 21st Century

We know the world of education is rapidly changing. It is hard to look down the road even five to ten years and imagine what kinds of innovations will transform our classrooms. Who could have imagined what kinds of technology would be available to kids just 5 years ago? Digital tools, mass communications, social networking, global connections are all changing the ways kids learn and how teachers teach. Just last week, Apple announced the ability to capture the school textbook industry through ITunes. Besides introducing new tools that influence change, there are other motivating factors that impact 21^st century instruction. Here are results from a study of what skills employers are looking for in their hire of college graduates:

· The ability to work well in teams—especially with people different from yourself

· An understanding of science and technology and how these subjects are used in real-world settings

· The ability to write and speak well

· The ability to think clearly about complex problems

· The ability to analyze a problem to develop workable solutions

· An understanding of global context in which work is now done

· The ability to be creative and innovative in solving problems

· The ability to apply knowledge and skills in new settings

· The ability to understand numbers and statistics

· A strong sense of ethics and integrity *

These expectations are being drilled down into the world of educational thinking through the “C’s”:

Critical Thinking / Communication – both face to face, and virtually / Collaboration / Cultural Awareness / Creativity / Computing skills

These C’s are classified as 21^st Century skills that must be part of the learning environment. These C’s continue to be developed and added to the purposeful design of instruction at SJLS. We are blessed to have a teaching staff open to learning and implementing the skills our students need to prepare them for their tomorrow. Next month our entire Preschool through elementary staff will attend the Midwest Technology Conference (Feb. 14 & 15), which is the largest educationally-focused conference offered to all levels of education. You can learn more about what we will be learning at www.metcconference.org.

*Source: "How Should Colleges Prepare Students to Succeed in Today's Global Economy?" (Results of a national poll by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, 2007).

I have important work to do!

I am a "Message Surfer."

I enjoy hitting several church websites and tuning in to a variety of weekly messages. One of my favorite is when my son preaches at his church. Last week I caught a message by Andy Stanley entitled "This OneThing." http://northpoint.org/messages/this-one-thing . He asked the question: "What is "one thing" that you could change tomorrow that would positively impact your life one year from now?" Only you know what that one thing is. It might deal with finances, stopping or starting something that you have been putting off, dealing with relationships or an unhealthy habit. You are the only one who knows that that is for you. So how do you keep committed to that one thing when statistics tell us that seldom do resolutions or well-intended changes last?
He tells the story of Nehemiah, who returns to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He undertakes a successful campaign to restore the once- great city. Soon opposition sets in and the enemy warlords begin to plot against Nehemiah to ruin his building project. They invite Nehemiah to meet with them at a neighboring village. Nehemiah responds with: "I am carrying out a great work and I will not come down." He was focused on carrying out a mission he was committed to and would not be distracted or listen to frivolous rhetoric which would distract him from his purpose. After repeated invitations to distract, Nehemiah simply prays, "Now strengthen my hands." He prayed that God would give him strength to complete the great work he was given. You can read how the story turns out in Nehemiah 6.
What is causing you to "come down" from your passion - from what you know is right, listening or following? Addressing something that is hard to change teaches important lessons to our kids. Perhaps it is creating a new family habit that connects us to each other or draws us closer to Jesus. Whatever that "ONE THING" is, don't compromise, don't waiver, stay the course and pray that God would strengthen your resolve. Imagine how different your life might be in January 2013.