Begin With the End in Mind - 2015 Goals for Teachers

As educators we are constantly talking with our students about setting goals for themselves.  We encourage kids to set academic, emotional and, behavioral goals.  Many times we do this weekly or monthly to teach self-reflection.  This practice is not only great for students, but also for adults. With 2014 quickly coming to a close, and a new year upon us, it now seems like a great time to set some goals for ourselves.  Habit 2 of Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is "Begin with the End in Mind." This habit encourages us set goals and know where we are going before we start the journey. As you think about your professional or personal goals for the upcoming year, some of the following areas of reflection might help provide a spring board for where you'd like to go.

Step out of your comfort zone - Perhaps 2015 will be the year that you decide to step out of the box with instructional practices or innovative ideas.  Maybe you will commit to trying "Project Based Learning" in your classroom.  Perhaps you will become part of a reflective journey with your colleagues by participating in "Instructional Rounds." Perhaps you will take on a leadership role by providing Professional Development for your colleagues, taking on a student teacher, or become a mentor for a new teaching colleague. My work with the "Galileo Leadership Academy" allowed me to understand that teachers can "lead from where they stand."  You do not have to have a formal leadership role to be a leader. Is 2015 the year for you step up into a leadership role that you define for yourself?

Work on integrating 21st century learning strategies into your classroom - Maybe 2015 is the year that you will commit to integrating new 21st century learning into your teaching toolbox.  Perhaps you will look to add blogging, twitter, or mystery skype into your classroom.  Maybe you will consider deeper levels of differentiated instruction using technology.  Perhaps you will look to add self-directed learning through "Innovation Day" or "20 % Time" within your lessons.  21st Century learning not only encompasses the integration of technology, but also communication, collaboration and interactions with a variety of students and colleagues from across the globe.

Commit to being a positive voice for education - One of the best ways teachers can support the field of education is to be the positive voice.  It is very easy to get sucked into the negativity that often surrounds educators via politicians, media, or even right in our own teachers' lounge.  However, accepting the challenge to "Be the Positive Voice" not only helps you, but also your colleagues and students.  Negative energy seems to spread so easily throughout a school building, so working to maintain a positive outlook will create a more productive culture building wide.

Work to build relationships and connect with students - Students will work much harder for a teacher that they like.  Therefore, making a commitment to connect with each of your students on a level outside of the classroom will help to create a better classroom culture for all.   Talk about things that you do outside of the normal school day.  Ask them about hobbies or interests. Help your students find books that are in an area they like.  All of these small details will help to create a classroom environment in which students are not afraid to take risks and try new things.

There are many areas in which teachers can work to create goals for the upcoming year.  The most important fact to remember is that your goals should be about personal and professional growth.  You know what will help you to reach out of your comfort zone and extend your learning as an educator. Tap into those areas. Don't worry about what your colleague across the hall is doing.  Focus on areas that will help you grow as an educator, colleague, and person.

Happy Goal Setting!

Collaborate. Connect. Learn.

I spent an entire day last week in classrooms....not observing, or doing walk throughs, but teaching.  I honestly think that one of the most important things a school leader can do is to stay in touch with the classroom and with kids.  It was an amazing day connecting with students and learning more about them and their classroom behaviors and systems.  Here is the story of what led up to this amazing day of learning.

Early last week, all of the teachers in the district participated in professional development in which they were given the opportunity to choose the sessions they attended throughout the day.  I LOVE that the district is providing that type of autonomy to teachers!  To follow up, I wanted to think of a way for teachers to share with each other everything they had learned.  There were so many valuable sessions that teachers attended, and I thought everyone would benefit from hearing what their colleagues had learned.

So, I hired a sub for the day, and the two of us circulated around the building, providing teachers with 30 minutes of additional coverage, apart from their regular prep time, to go to the library.  The library had been converted into a "learning lab" for the day.  There was chart paper scattered around the room with markers for teachers to make their thinking visible for their colleagues.  There were snacks and refreshments.  Teachers were encouraged to collaborate with their learning lab partners about what they had learned earlier in the week at the district wide PD.

The results were amazing for all involved.  Teachers enjoyed discussing ideas and concepts with people that they may not usually have had the opportunity to chat with.  They had a few minutes to sit down with snacks and unwind, which (as educators know) is not commonplace in schools.  And I, as the principal, had an entire day in classrooms, with kids, uninterrupted by meetings, phone calls, or emergencies.  It was a best-case scenario for all involved: students, teachers, and administrators.

I know I am only a few months out of the classroom into my role as principal, but this day confirmed what I believed to be true all along.  Teachers thrive when they are given autonomy to collaborate and treated as professionals.  Also, administrators need to work to keep that connection with instruction and students thriving.  I will be sure to include this learning lab set up in the agenda throughout my career as a principal!