FLENJ Strategic Planning February 1, 2009 Edison High School

“ We are called to be architects of the future, not its victims.” R. Buckminster Fuller

Focusing Questions Where is FLENJ? What do we want FLENJ to become? How do we realize the FLENJ we want to become?

Strategic Planning Goals To review progress made on our action plans To revisit and revise (or create) if appropriate our foundation documents To determine the future objectives of FLENJ To revise and/or build new action plans

Components of Strategic Planning Foundation Documents Mission Vision Core Beliefs (helps in decision making) Profile of the FLENJ member (to get a sense of what we would like the FLENJ member to be like after participating in our organization) Objectives Action Plans (to enable the obj. to come to reality)

FLENJ Mission Mission FLENJ, by advancing policy and practice, promotes excellence in world languages education By advancing policy and practice, FLENJ promotes excellence in world languages education. Through the advancement of policy and practice, FLENJ promotes excellence in world languages education.

FLENJ Vision Vision To support, guide, and connect educators and policy makers through professional development and advocacy.

Language is the universal connector that facilitates cultural understanding; all languages are valuable to teach and learn. A multi-lingual society fosters diversity, respect for others, and greater opportunities for all children. Language learning is an integral part of the American education system; it is for ALL children, it starts early, and is a life-long endeavor. WE BELIEVE THAT… Language educators bear the professional responsibility to advocate on behalf of World Language education.

All students can achieve language proficiency when taught by a skilled teacher in a well-developed, standards- embedded program. Collecting and analyzing evidence of student performance facilitates effective and reflective teaching. High quality professional development is critical to equip educators with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance student language learning.

Profile of FLENJ Members FLENJ members should be… Ethical, committed professionals, who possess advocacy skills, are collaborative, lifelong learners, passionate, compassionate Committed and willing to develop professionally in order to improve their professional practices

Profile of FLENJ Members FLENJ members should be able to … Expand teaching skills through workshops and conferences Gain international experiences Teach so that students can communicate successfully, both linguistically and culturally in the target language Advocate for themselves and for the profession Take an active role in the organization

Profile of FLENJ Members FLENJ members should know and understand… Standards, primacy of oral proficiency FLENJ core beliefs, mission, vision, what FLENJ does Current research and best practices

An Exemplary or Excellent Organization “Excellence is not an act. It is a habit.” Aristotle (we want to move beyond pockets of excellence)

Increase the Profile of FLENJ Advance Practice Advance Policy

Objective: Advance Practice A. Communications and Publications: Increase the participation in E-verse! Review ( monitor and track) the effectiveness of the various current communications and publications-website, President’s Message, Professional Development bulletins, Membership flyers Use electronic surveys, Expand online resources (i.e. electronic lesson ideas)

Objective: Advance Practice B. Diverse Active Membership Increase new teacher enrollment in FLENJ Analyze the demographics of the membership and the board and Bring the former two more in line with the demographics of the state. Increase membership (through recruiting at NJEA)

Objective: Advance Policy Advocacy : By 2013, FLENJ will increase its presence at state board meetings by having one FLENJ board member or FLENJ member in attendance at each meeting. Baseline 2008: At the present time we do not have a regular presence at the board meetings By 2013, FLENJ will have a table at the two state conferences and targeted professional development workshops that provides advocacy information such as schedules for state board meetings and testimony, how to find out when your local board meetings take place and resources including information on FLENJ issues, issues before the state board, and the mission, vision, and core beliefs of FLENJ. Baseline 2008: At the present time we do not have a table

Objective: Advance Policy Advocacy: By 2013, FLENJ will establish a presence at the NJASCD conference. Baseline 2008: At the present time we do not have a presence. By 2013, FLENJ will increase the amount of testimony that members provide at state board meetings whenever public testimony is allowed. Baseline 2008: To be determined By 2013, FLENJ will mobilize its membership to attend local PTAs meetings and/or local board meetings (both public and private) to share and address critical issues in language education Baseline 2008: No attendance at local PTA and Board of Education meetings By 2013, FLENJ will disseminate more widely information received at the JNCL. Baseline 2008: Dissemination to FLENJ board members only

What is an action plan? Components Objective/Strategy Activities to accomplish the objective Person(s) responsible Resources Timeline Outcome Current Status

Components of an Action Plan ActivitiesPerson(s)/ Group(s) Responsible Timeline for Implemen- tation Resources Required Indicator of Success Date Reviewed/ Status Objective: Advance Practice Area: Communications and Publications

Components of an Action Plan ActivitiesPerson(s)/ Group(s) Responsible Timeline for Implemen- tation Resources Required Indicator of Success Date Reviewed/ Status Objective: Advance Practice Area: Diverse Active Membership

Components of an Action Plan ActivitiesPerson(s)/ Group(s) Responsible Timeline for Implementation Resources Required Indicator of Success Date Reviewed/ Status Objective: Advance Policy Area: Advocacy

Implementation Of Action Plans Periodic Review System What? How? Who? When?

Closure - Can we answer these questions? Where is FLENJ? What do we want FLENJ to become? How do we realize the FLENJ we want to become?