I will never forget the first time I met Dr. Trish Hatch. She was our inspiration, our spark, to apply for the prestigious RAMP award. The funny thing is she never told us about RAMP, she just gave us the big picture on why it was important to show results as a counselor. She wanted us to be data-driven and accountable. Her two-day workshop was so inspiring we set out to work applying her methods. Dr. Hatch shifted our beliefs that day. Eventually we became the first in Michigan to receive the RAMP award. She never knew.
I think of her when I consult with other school counselors on RAMP. But I was missing something….I was missing UbD. Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe (2005) wrote Understanding by Design. Their work gave me the missing piece to teaching. By designing curriculum backwards you see the big picture, the purpose, and the way to help students understand. It was my “Aha” moment.
I am embarrassed to say that I was looking at instruction in a logical and sequential manner. When I think of Dr. Hatch I know she was using UbD. This was what I was missing and now I know how to inspire others, too!
My goal is to design a professional development course for school counselors on the comprehensive school counseling program. CEP813 at MSU has been essential to helping me achieve this goal. Here is the start of my journey to designing this course….LINK
cmlindberg 