In order to build and sustain a successful mathematics program, mathematics leaders need to collaboratively establish a cohesive vision for teaching and learning and put that vision into action. I have the pleasure of working with the mathematics leaders across the state of Arizona and this year, during our Lunch and Learn sessions, we are exploring how to create a cohesive vision and collectively support mathematics leadership across the state. We would love to have you come join us in a twitter slow chat book study as we connect, learn, and share with each other during the 2016-2017 school year.
What is a Slow Chat Book Study?
With a slow chat book study, you are not required to be online at any set time. Instead, mathematics leaders can share ideas and respond to others’ thoughts as times allows. This accommodates different schedules to allow for maximum community participation and for meaningful conversations to unfold at a slower pace. We will use the Twitter hashtag #4keysml to share and follow the comments of others.
There is no need to sign up for the book study – just have a twitter account and search for hashtag #4keysml. When you post your comments, simply include #4keysml so others can follow along and find your comments easily. If needed, here is a short video on how to use hashtags on twitter so you can easily be an active learner in this process.
Anytime you have more to say than 140 characters, we encourage you to link to blog posts, images, or other documents in order to share your ideas more fully.
The Book Study Schedule and Prompts
The book at the heart of the slow chat is Activating the Vision: The Four Keys of Mathematics Leadership. To create a focus about what might be shared as you read, I have established the following schedule and prompts to help with sharing and discussion.
| Week of | Chapter | Topic |
| September 19 | 1 | Taking Stock Of Your Mathematics Program |
| September 26 | 2 | Develop a Collaborative Vision |
| October 3 | 3 | Establish Measures of Success |
| October 10 | 4 | Engage Teachers in Worthwhile and Differentiated Professional Learning |
| October 17 | 5 | Develop Highly Skilled and Highly Effective Mathematics Leaders |
| October 31 | 6 | Build the Capacity of Site-Based and District Leaders |
| November 7 | 7 | Leverage Collaborative Team Actions |
| January 9 | 8 | Create and Implement Well-Designed and Articulated Curriculum and Assessments |
| January 16 | 9 | Monitor Consistent Expectations for Exemplary Instruction |
| January 23 | 10 | Activate the Student Voice to Check Alignment between Vision and Reality |
| February 6 | 11 | Empower Families as Informed Advocates |
| February 13 | 12 | Build and Engage a Strong Network of Partnerships |
Each day of week, we will pose the following prompts to encourage sharing and discussion. See the general structure below:
Monday: Sentence/Phrase – Share a quote from the topic that is meaningful to you, one that captures the core ideas, that moved, engaged, or provoked you. Say more…
Tuesday: Connect – How do the ideas in the topic connect to what you already know, think, and study? What connections can be made to current leadership actions?
Wednesday: Clarity – What new ideas related to the topic bring coherence and clarity to your mathematics leadership skills?
Thursday: Network – What strategies or ideas related to the topic will you grapple with to close the gap between your reality and vision? What will/did you try? What can be shared to learn from one another?
Friday: Commitment – What are your commitments related to this topic for activating your mathematics vision?
Too often, mathematics leaders feel isolated in their roles as they passionately work to improve the learning of all students in a school or district. The Arizona Mathematics Leaders began four years ago as a way for leaders across the state to no longer feel that they are were an island, but rather connected to others sharing a similar vision.
We welcome you to join us on our journey as we move our vision to action.
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