School Webmasters

For many of us, some of our most memorable and life-changing experiences have come through the influence of teachers in our lives. For me, it was Mrs. Benson in sixth grade at Farallone View Elementary School in Montara, California. It wasn’t that she did anything unusual, but as I remember it, she was the first teacher that I felt really believed in me. She had such confidence that I could achieve more, learn more, be more, that I began to believe her. I thought of her so many times over the years and some little place inside me wanted to prove that her confidence in me was not misplaced.

If we’re lucky, many of us have had just such a teacher in our lives. What draws people into these professions? What makes them willing to teach and nuture others in spite of little appreciation and low pay? What helps them see in others the potential that they seldom see in themselves? I’m not sure if there is one answer to that question, but I’m grateful for this breed of loving, dedicated, and gifted individuals. I’d love to hear some of your stories about outstanding teachers who helped you become more than you might have been if they hadn’t touched your life. And, please take the time to say thanks this week to an educator who you’ve thought of over the years. Just send them a FREE E-card and let them know what a difference they’ve made in your life. For most of the teachers and administrators I know, making a difference is the single most motivating factor in their lives, so let them know they’ve succeeded!

In addition to those teachers, there were also some very hardworking administrators who supported those teachers and handled the required duties of the “business” side of running the school. My husband became one of those administrators about 25 years ago and so I see the dedication and committment first hand every day. So, remember it takes a team to make educating our children happen and go thank an administrator next time you get the chance.  For their long hours and the degree of accountability–and their pay in comparison to their private sector counterparts, they have also chosen a path that shows real caring for this nation’s children.

Bonnie (Golden) Leedy, CEO
School Webmasters

P.S. Mrs. Benson, wherever you are, thank you for giving me the courage to dream big!

If you currently have a school or district Web site and would like to know how it measures up (based on best-practices for school Web sites), here’s your chance.

We’ll do a thorough analysis and send you a “report card” so you can see how your site stacks up. We’ll also provide some recommendations so that, if you decide to make the changes yourself, you’ll know where to begin. Just visit our Web site at www.schoolwebmasters.com and complete the Evaluation Request form.

While highlighting student learning and skills is an excellent idea, it shouldn’t be the public image you portray. Unless you are an advanced level Web Design School, it’s just a bad idea. There are several reasons for this.

First of all, while you are proud of the work your students produce, the average student doesn’t have the skill sets to develop, design, write, and maintain a comprehensive Web site. What is more likely is that they have some of the skills, but not all. To be fair, it isn’t even likely that any of your adult staff has all the skill sets required since most firms that do this professionally hire different people who contribute the various aspects of the Web site development (graphic designers, programmers, copywriters, public relations experts, etc.).

Secondly, even if you were to have several gifted students who, with their combined skills, do an excellent job of developing a Web site, those students will eventually graduate and the continuity will go with them.

Solution? Encourage your students to build and manage a student Web site (with staff oversight, of course). Use this forum to let them shine and then link to it from the school Web site. Make it easy to find, but don’t make it the professional image that represents the school, its administration, and staff. Everybody wins. The school Web site keeps its focus on the needs of parents and the community and the student Web site satisifies their primary audience–the students.